Beer Barrel Conversion

[Wild Thing]

Probably been asked before, but I couldn't find anything when I did a search.

I have been given a beer barrel with a triangular fitting and I want to turn it into a wood burner. Does anyone know how to remove the filling valve off the top. Haven't been able to find anything on the internet. Thanks.

Picture for info

 

[copper_head]

This might be the one...

https://youtu.be/XglWWvIe9js

 

[Wild Thing]

Looks promising. Thanks.

 

[tim_n]

wildthing - please be aware that unless you've got a proof of purchase, kegs and casks are owners of the brewery (and if it has gone into receivership, it is likely owned by the receivers)

kegs and casks that fall into 3rd parties are chased (including internet searches) by k e g w a t c h.

The reason you won't find anything on the internet is because generally speaking, there's no such thing as a keg that has left active service and they rarely get modified.

 

[mrcharly]

wildthing - please be aware that unless you've got a proof of purchase, kegs and casks are owners of the brewery (and if it has gone into receivership, it is likely owned by the receivers)

kegs and casks that fall into 3rd parties are chased (including internet searches) by k e g w a t c h.

The reason you won't find anything on the internet is because generally speaking, there's no such thing as a keg that has left active service and they rarely get modified.

In York, every time there is a medium-high flood, several dozen empty or near-empty kegs end up floating down the river Ouse.
I seriously doubt the breweries recover them.

They are only aluminium aren't they, so wouldn't stand up to much of a fire.

 

[tim_n]

In York, every time there is a medium-high flood, several dozen empty or near-empty kegs end up floating down the river Ouse.
I seriously doubt the breweries recover them.

They are only aluminium aren't they, so wouldn't stand up to much of a fire.

They sell £50 of beer in a £100 container, generally that's big expense for a brewery. They do reclaim them. K e g w a t c h does it on their behalf.

 

[Mesquite]

They sell £50 of beer in a £100 container, generally that's big expense for a brewery. They do reclaim them. K e g w a t c h does it on their behalf.

Yup, as Tim says that organisation does reclaim kegs.

Direct quote from their website

K*g W***h [FONT=&amp]pays rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft or [/FONT][FONT=&amp]unauthorised destruction of containers[/FONT][FONT=&amp].[/FONT]

I've highlighted the bit in red just so the OP realises that they better be squeaky clean with regards the keg they've posted pics of

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

Be aware that if it's a keg the spear that goes down the centre is sometimes pressurised and can fly out at speed when removed. Also the one in the pic looks to be aluminium. If you can get one you want an old cask container made from stainless. A firkin or kilderkin make good wood burners but a barrel is way too big.

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[tim_n]

Wot Johnny said. You need a tool to remove it and preferably reduce the pressure first...

I've thought about going Sankey but prefer cornie kegs myself.

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[mrcharly]

They sell £50 of beer in a £100 container, generally that's big expense for a brewery. They do reclaim them. K e g w a t c h does it on their behalf.

If I'd known that, I would have bothered pulling the bloody things out of the river. They were a nuisance when we lived aboard a boat. A floating keg makes a hell of a noise when it hits a steel boat in the middle of the night.

 

[tim_n]

I didn't say you got that as a reward. Kegs are generally considered too hot to handle. K e g w a t c h even attends events to check them

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[mrcharly]

Yebbut I'd have tied them up and made kegwatch do the hard work of pulling them out!

 

[andibs]

Be aware that if it's a keg the spear that goes down the centre is sometimes pressurised and can fly out at speed when removed. Also the one in the pic looks to be aluminium. If you can get one you want an old cask container made from stainless. A firkin or kilderkin make good wood burners but a barrel is way too big.

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+1 to that. I've been involved in the licensed trade for over 40 years. Once saw someone loose an eye when they tried to remove the spear and hadn't depressurised it first.

Take care mate

Andy

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

+1 to that. I've been involved in the licensed trade for over 40 years. Once saw someone loose an eye when they tried to remove the spear and hadn't depressurised it first.

Take care mate

Andy

Yep seen some nasty accidents with them being removed without knowing what your doing.

 

[Tengu]

I would say the same about ownership too.

From personal experience.

 

[badoosh]

Wild thing just get yourself an old gas bottle,it would be easier and less criminal.

 

[Nice65]

Wild thing just get yourself an old gas bottle,it would be easier and less criminal.

This. Ive never come across a woodburner being made from aluminium. It's quite a reactive metal when exposed to heat, air, and moisture. At high temperatures it burns, it certainly oxidises quickly. Like when you put an ali can in the fire, it just disappears. I've had my steel burner glowing red, something that could melt aluminium.

There's a reason iron and steel is used for burners. It may not be the most conductive metal for transferring heat, but it can stand several more hundreds of degrees temp.

Do vent your gas bottle upside down and leave for a while. When the valve has been removed, fill with water to push any remaining gas out. Drain, and get the grinder out.