kegs

[Tom Yannuzzi]

i got 2 empty kegs and took them apart. how do people fill them up? i used sand but only 3 bags worth of 50lb bags and it was already getting to the top. and let me tell u.. 50lbx3bag + keg around 180... it sure feels heavier

[Scott Markowitz]

You only got 3 bags? I got 4, which puts the finished product right at 230. To go heavier, add water to the keg after it's full of sand, or find some lead or other metal to put in with the sand. I've used old lead window weights, railroad spikes, rusted nuts and bolts...it really doesn't matter since it's all inside the keg anyway.

[Jay Hagadorn]

when you get it capped with sand, add water. fill it with water till you can't get any more in. keep track of how much water you add. each gallon is eight pounds.

also, you can pour concrete into the keg. if you want it heavier, add water. you can also add slag from a welding shop, lead shot or whatever to get your desired weight.

[Ryan Rhodes]

The easiest way I've found is to use peat gravel and then fill with water (if needed), so the weight is still adjustable. Water/sand is really hard to get out. Concrete is forever. My 2 c.

[Tom Yannuzzi]

thanks,.. well i think i can fit 4 bags but then it will be mighty hard to get the top tube thing back into the keg.. it was a killer trying to push it down with 3 bags.. thansk.. i will try some ideas out tomorrow

[Zach Snyder]

make sure you're getting the air bubbles out of the sand w/ a stick.

[Mike Landrich]

thanks,.. well i think i can fit 4 bags but then it will be mighty hard to get the top tube thing back into the keg.. it was a killer trying to push it down with 3 bags.. thansk.. i will try some ideas out tomorrow

There's the problem. Just get a 2" test plug from Home Depot ($3-4). Pushing the tube back in takes up space.

[Paul_Koskinen]

When filling my keg I cut off the inside tube that runs the inside length if the keg. If anything get in the way, get rid of it. Also, were you able to use dry sand or wet?
Weight difference there too.

Edit: Oops, Mike said it a minute before me.

[Greg Plowman]

Tom,
If you live in an area that has cold winters use windshield washer fluid instead of water so it doesn't freeze.

[Andrew.Cook]

Tom,
If you live in an area that has cold winters use windshield washer fluid instead of water so it doesn't freeze.

Now that is a good idea... although I'm guessing that a keg can handle the pressure from the expansion of freezing water, yes? I mean, it wouldn't end up looking like a frozen pop can with the ends buckled out, would it? I have no idea, I just assume since kegs are under pressure anyway...

[dronga]

Now that is a good idea... although I'm guessing that a keg can handle the pressure from the expansion of freezing water, yes? I mean, it wouldn't end up looking like a frozen pop can with the ends buckled out, would it? I have no idea, I just assume since kegs are under pressure anyway...
Actually, i just used half a bag of Water softener salt, it was -15 this pasted winter, and my keg was still liquid.

[Todd Malone]

Now that is a good idea... although I'm guessing that a keg can handle the pressure from the expansion of freezing water, yes? I mean, it wouldn't end up looking like a frozen pop can with the ends buckled out, would it? I have no idea, I just assume since kegs are under pressure anyway...

I left two water-filled kegs in my garage over the winter and the frozen water made the bottom bubble out. But that was the only deformity.

[Eric Johnson]

Now that is a good idea... although I'm guessing that a keg can handle the pressure from the expansion of freezing water, yes? I mean, it wouldn't end up looking like a frozen pop can with the ends buckled out, would it? I have no idea, I just assume since kegs are under pressure anyway...

The keg will deform to fit the new volume (about 10% increase) of the solid water (ice), water is basically incompressible. The pressure in a normal beer keg is the CO2 gas being compressed, not really the liquid.

[Andrew.Cook]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Sounds like I would be smart to do some sort of salt/antifreeze treatment.

I hadn't really considered the whole compressed gas vice expanding solid thing. It doesn't sound like it would be a ton of damage, but why tempt fate when it sounds like the fix is pretty simple? I live in Ohio where we gladly salt the crap out of everything when we even imagine a hint of snow... should be easy enough to get my hands on something that would work :D

[Mike Beyers]

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n253/MRBeyers/plate%20loaded%20keg/070108010.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n253/MRBeyers/plate%20loaded%20keg/070108005.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n253/MRBeyers/plate%20loaded%20keg/070108070.jpg

Or just get one of these........not great for loading, but great for pressing work, and even training for the log press!!

[Todd Malone]

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n253/MRBeyers/plate%20loaded%20keg/070108010.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n253/MRBeyers/plate%20loaded%20keg/070108005.jpg

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n253/MRBeyers/plate%20loaded%20keg/070108070.jpg

Or just get one of these........not great for loading, but great for pressing work, and even training for the log press!!

That's pretty cool. How are the loading pins attached?

[Mike Beyers]

The loading pin is a piece of pipe that runs through the keg.

[Andrew.Cook]

That plate loaded keg is awesome. Is it just for pressing, or does it still function well for carries too?

[Mike Beyers]

You can still carry it, but you might be tempted to "cheat" as the loading pins give you an extra surface to hold on to. But if you just hold the keg, you'll be fine.......you just can't stand it on end.