keg kettle trade

[jward]

I have a keg based kettle with welded half inch connector. It is in great shape. The problem is that the bottom skirt is too wide by 1/4 inch. That keeps the keg from fitting on my 1550 brew stand. I am looking for a keg kettle with a base the standard 15.5 inches wide. Anyone willing to consider a trade?

[bwarbiany]

I've got a 13.3 gal Euro keggle that's a bit narrower than the standard 15.5...

[jward]

I did not know they came in that size. I need the larger size. The system has nice Italian SS kettles. They are 50ish liters but have trouble above 13 gallons pre-boil.

[backhousebrew]

Can you post a photo?

[jward]

I'll take a photo of the top and inside.

[backhousebrew]

Your keg looks like a standard 15.5 gal.
My 15.5 gallon kegs measure 15-1/2" diameter.
What is the diameter of your keg?

[jward]

The B3 old school Italian kettle in position:

[jward]

Here is the keg that I always thought was an standard sized keg. Notice how it doesn't fit in between the angle supports on the stand:


It's almost 15 3/4 inches wide. That extra 3/8ths-1/4 inch is enough to ruin the situation.

[jward]

Here is a genuine standard keg that fits like it was made for the job:

[jward]

Here is the top and inside of the keg. Very clean. I actually cut the top off with a Dremel and several cutting wheels. For some things there is a first and only time.

[bwarbiany]

Can you just cut notches into the skirt to fit?

Assuming you don't find an easy trade, that seems like a simple solution.

[backhousebrew]

Brad's idea seems like a good solution.
I have a sawzall with a metal blade that would cut through it quickly. Then a little grinding to smooth the edges.
Let me know if you want to bring it over. It will only take a few minutes to cut. Unless you bring homebrew of course, then we might need a little more time.

[jward]

I have thought about that some, both a notch or just grinding some material off the kettle. Other ideas were to grind out some of the angle iron on the stand since the angle bar stock is thicker in the corner and the kettle fits the upper dimension of the angle iron. I wish I could squeeze the skirt making it a little oblong and then grind the bottom flat. Maybe a body shop would help a brother out for some homebrew.

A trade seems the least work. A kettle with a weldless fitting would be OK too. I know a guy that could weld on a new fitting.

[dhempy]

All you might need to do is to get a big crescent wrench and bend those sides out just a touch ...

Dan

[DrDually]

PM me for location...then you can stop by. We can use one of several options I have In garage to modify stand properly
Chris