What to do with this old keg?

Systems, Gear, & DIY
1

I just got an old keg from a barn.  It is the old, barrel shaped type, not the cylinder shaped keg.  The keg has one end cut off, but half way up it has a wooden bung (with Pabst written on it) on the side wall. My question is can I fill this thing up above the wooden bung or should I remove it and replace it with something else?  I was planning on using it as a HLT or boil kettle, but this wooden bung has me worried and since it’s half way up it would be at the 7.5 gal mark.  Has anybody else here used one of these kegs before and what did you do with the wooden bung?

2

I’d recommend taking it out and having a plate welded over the hole.

But if I as going to use it as is, I would use it for the HLT only.  Less messy.

3

Thanks, this is what I thought.  I got a brother-in-law who welds and could probably do this.

4

perhaps get one of the weldless ball valve kits and put that in there if the hole isnt to big?

5

This  ^^^^

or

patch it with a plate as Tom indicated and use is as a kettle (BK or HLT)

6

i wouldn’t recommend it for use as a kettle but an hlt would be perfect.  while your brother in law is welding a patch over the bung hole, he can weld in a full couple toward the bottom for a pick up and ball valve.

7

I was thinking along those same lines, and he can probably weld a couple of handles on as well.

8

Yeah some 3/8" round stock would make a great handle