Tap a Watermelon! or How to Make a Watermelon Keg

Wow your guests and enjoy a delicious drink in style!

After seeing an incredible watermelon keg online, I knew I needed to try it for myself.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find a similar tap and pvc adapter, so I had to modify the design somewhat.

***update*** I've added pictures of a bigger melon keg we made for a recent party.
For more info on my watermelon kegs or my other projects, you can check out my blog.

Step 1: What you'll need

From the hardware store:
-Hose Bibb, Quarter Turn (that's the tap)
-Faucet Lock Nuts (those black circles)
-Brass Pipe Nipple 1/2" (the piece with threads on both ends)
-Coupling 1/2" (what looks like a hex nut)
-drill bit (optional)

From the grocery store:
-Watermelon (I used a very small melon for this demo, but you'll need a big one if you want more than two drinks out of it)
-Saran wrap (or similar cling wrap)

From your kitchen:
-paring knife
-ice cream scoop (a spoon could work in a pinch)
-large bowl
-blender
-strainer / sieve

From the liquor store:
-vodka or your poison of choice (this is optional, but there's not much of a point without it, right?)

Comments

[Nightmare54]

I think I would add One step to this. Create a full day in advance, freeze melon keg, and only bring out 10 minutes before the guests arrive...that way what ever you fill it with stays colder a lot longer! Great idea I can't wait for my next party!

[ModMischief]

I thought about freezing it but I was worried that it might expand or shrink and ruin the seal. You don't want a leaky melon! We kept the spiked watermelon juice in the fridge until just before the party, and used another melon for extra juice (kept in another pitcher) to refill the keg when we inevitably ran out. It was refreshing and cold all night, but if you wanted it even colder, you could throw a bit of ice into the keg along with the juice.

[lross3]

I agee, I think your seal would probably be ruined. You might put the ice in a bag and throw it inside the melon, so you don't dilute your drink. Or put your watermelon mix in the freezer until it's slushy, then crush whatever ice formed using a hand blender.

[jongscx]

You could probably freeze it hollowed out, THEN insert the nipple through it... Worst case, it would contract around it and make a tighter seal...

[ymagination]

Perhaps, placing some of the "fuel" already mixed, in molds, could do some ice-cubes... then place them inside... they will cool your drink, without watering it... I´m sure it will get empty before the ice melts, LOL Great idea...!!!

[sister_sister]

yaah!!!.. i love it!!...nice,nice,nice...hehehehehe....

[jorlo]

Like this? Check out http://www.MelonKeg.com they sell a kit for this!

[mwears]

wow that's awesome! I'm a home brewer and this gave me the idea to make a watermelon infused beer, that I'll then serve out of this watermelon keg!..I even already have the beer faucet and everything. I'll need a pretty big watermelon!

[groovy]

Its all about the build ,so making ur own spout is what it is all about
I think it is great anyway you choose to build it ....so stick a cork in it (if you like).

[groovy]

worlds smallest mellons aaaaaahhhhhhh melon ...sorry.....anyway with a good sized melon and a bottle of rum this would be the best party favour ever.
Nice ible....

[eyang]

nice

[sister_sister]

wow!!.. i like very much..hehehehehe......

[meejenbea]

genorous amounts of vodka!!!yay! you'll need it since this drink incorporates nuts, nipples and guts.

[smit nayee]

hey h hah haha hah ah ah hahahaha

[zerodegree]

Haha, it is so original ! I like it!

[Binny the first]

Your Instruct-able is commendable. Nice job. I would like to caution everyone about using brass fittings in this design tho.All brass contains lead and lead compounds As a home brewer for the last 45 plus years. I know brass and alcohol should not mix if you don't want lead poisoning.Lead poisoning is a lot like arsenic poisoning and may take years to affect you or could kill within days or months.It depends on ones tolerance and exposure limits. Also avoid stainless steel valves that aren't rated for potable drinking water as they contain carcinogens that cause cancer. All of these things have a cumulative effect over time so my advice is that if you want to be healthy and live to be a ripe old age is to avoid these materials as much as possible.In closing I would like to recommend a plastic spigot (HDPE I believe) From any beer and wine home brew shop. They are safer,much cheaper and come with all the gaskets and nut necessary to install. If there is not a home brew shop near you they are readily available on line and are commonly used for the sparge bucket construction for all grain beer brewing.Please do not be offended or discouraged in any way by my comments,as I said you have done a great job of putting together this Instructable.

[simonches]

"Also avoid stainless steel valves that aren't rated for potable drinking water as they contain carcinogens that cause cancer."

That is completely untrue.

[Cyberscann54]

just a word for the wise stainless steel contains chromium cheap stainless steel can rust and chromium can become carcinogenic at different levels of rusting so unless it is rated food safe or for potable drinking water don't use it. If you don't believe me look up chromium-6 that it chromium at its 6th stage of rusting witch is capable of not only causing birth defects but capable changing your DNA causing defects if full grown people cancer being only one of limitless outcomes. Be safe, Be Smart, Do some research before you make an false statement against some one else its one thing to be wrong but to be wrong trying to make a statement thats very stupid it only makes you look bad

[simonches]

I did do some research. While Hexavalent Chromium(what you call chromium-6) is indeed carcinogenic, it is not used in stainless steel.

Chromium will not oxidize into hexavalent chromium simply from exposure to oxygen.

Don't confuse the rusting of stainless steel with the oxidation of chromium.

Just to be clear, I'm by no means an expert on this matter.

[Binny the first]

I have to politely disagree with that remark as it is specifically labeled as carcinogenic on the handle tags of the hardware store variety s.s. ball valves. I suspect it has more to do with their Teflon or nylon seals Than anything in the steel itself.

[sveegaard]

Teflon and nylon is completely harmless as-is.

[simonches]

Could be. Sorry if my comment came across a bit blunt :)

[porcupinemamma]

You are brilliant ! Lovely, and very spiffy looking too.

[gusball25]

 You should do this with a square watermelon (www.instructables.com/id/Grow-a-square-watermelon) 

[1Petitchou]

Hey Yeah! that's a great idea!

[LawnBoy1991]

 That would be great to be stable on a table, but then the punch wouldn't drain to the tap properly.

[90mp11]

The pressure from the drink above the tap would still allow it to drain, just not all of the liquid will run through the tap. You could add thetap and then gut the watermetlon carefully so that the tap is at the very bottom, but that would take too much effort

[Atarimark]

That is the perfect way do it. Just make sure you put some wrap on the end of the tap so you dont clog it with melon.

[tonysoprano6379]

 WOW, THis is awesome!!!!!!!!!!
THanks for the great instructable!!!!!!!!!!!

you have inspired me to create one of these for our next cookout!!!!!!
GREAT JOB

[fuagfys]

Hi u all im new here.this is my story.ive done the water melon for long time now and the best way too do itt.Get a bastet size menlon or BIGGER ya and tie itt up with rope.hang itt upp away from party  camp fire.next take an old empty 5th wisky bottle& in press the top of melon & cut out hole so threds fit snug in hole.Next a coat hager & make a mixer wip just a couple small bends and attach it too yr batt srew gun & stick it the hole and wipp in side of the melon. Now u can drain some of itt out or just leave itt there thats good..now the BEST part of this iss! gett all the Alcoho & or wisky & mix them all together. Now take the empty 5th bottle & fill itt upp too top & stick itt inn the hole att topp of water melon.now take a pencil and pook a hole about two inches below topp hole & put a McD straw inn itt AND drink upp....looks cool hanging from a tree  itt makes people wonder what itt doing there and it keeps under age out of itt thats if u use the rope to ajust high on itt... tell mee what u thank.. i think itts Yahoo

[Javin007]

Just so I know I'm following this right, I'm guessing from your second "sentence" (and I use that word liberally) you're posting on this guy's instructable about how to make a watermelon keg, and claiming you know the secret as to how to make a BETTER watermelon keg.  Unfortunately, you then go into some strange cryptic combination of letters that I still haven't been able to crack.

Bah, why do I bother... It's not like you'll be able to understand this.

[Cammer]

I think you might do well to invest in a new keyboard my friend.  You have a couple of keys that seem to be sticking.

Also, liberal use of a spell checker would help us understand what you are trying to say.  There are a couple words in there that I just can't figure out.

Thanks!

[PATSY001]

fuagfys, Since you are new here, You may not have heard of "Spell Checker". It can alert you to all of the extra annoying letters that you added to your words.  It also helps people like me, to read your comments without getting irritated. Hopefully you will soon learn to spell like a 48 year old.  I AM aware that there is a "Be Nice" policy. That is why  I kept my comments to a minimum.

[fuagfys]

the best mix iss
Jack , S.C ,VOD
& make itt day before party & chill
If straw plug pull out  & shoot gun itt
yahoo
dont bee greddy will get druck fast
sip sip yahoo

[Javin007]

I think we should collectively avoid this recipie. The damage it's capable of seems to be significant, and permanent.

[jaysbob]

been enjoying the melon juice a bit too much have we?

[fuagfys]

 drink way too much last year
hay we had one forgoten about from party  and itt exploded nine days later butt some of the melon was still good too eat & again yahoo

[pdub77]

I should think. . .

[forschoolonly559]

i recommend a food safe valve instead of brass.  Brass is bad for health,  its funny so is plastic, however, food safe plastic is ideal.   The valve can be bought from any plumbing or hardware stores.

[Gheaa]

wow....