Robbimus Prime Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Hi Fellas, I'll apologize ahead of time if this has been brought up already, the site's search function prohibited the search for "keg" because it had too few characters, so if this has been gone over already, apologies. Moving on... Has anyone tried using the top portion of a used beer keg in place of an oil drum in the Forge 55 design? Most kegs are stainless steel, and there is already a reasonably large (I want to say 1.5"? More maybe?) opening in the center (which is slightly recessed anyways) already, so there would be no guess work in locating or drilling the center. Being a TOTAL AND COMPLETE NEWBIE, I'm unsure of whether the stainless would hold up better than oil drums to heating, but having had to cut up oil drums for yadda yadda, and beer kegs to make brewing kettles, I can say that the beer kegs force more awful words out of my mouth, which generally equates to toughness in my mind. Thoughts? -Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drewed Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 I don't see any problems with it other than a strong desire to tap your forge. I think 55 drums are used more because they are cheaper, bu if you have a line on kegs... Also the drums may be taller? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksnagel Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 The keg should work well. The 55 gal drum offers a larger table area to hold your coal/charcoal but the keg should work just fine for a forge. If it is not tall enough, that is what cinderblocks are for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elemental Metal Creations Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 Plus the keg won't rust out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fosterob Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 If the keg is exposed to fire it will rust. Did it. If you use stainless and want it to stay stainless then it needs to be lined for protection. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 By the time you rust out a stainless keg you will probably be ready for a different forge anyway. My current firepot is on it's 4th? forge body and I'm designing the 5th for it---of course I've been using it for over 25 years... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbimus Prime Posted October 24, 2011 Author Share Posted October 24, 2011 Would it be smart to line the base and/or walls with some sort of refractory type of material? Good to know about the rust, but I'm not concerned really. Kegs are available here and there as a brewer, from legitimate sources, and the bonus is that you know what was in it, and the bottom/ top are concave, with the top even having a 1+" heavy stainless port for airflow. However my question is would that be enough airflow with a crank blower? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 I wouldn't use one of the the old barrel shaped kegs, as I believe they have stopped making that style, and hot rodders like to use them. I have seen them fetch a good price at the swap meets, if they are in good shape. The newer straight sided kegs would be OK in my eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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