My Stupidity Finally Got Me

[DecoJuicer]

I have 2 semi-converted kegs that I got for brewing. One I have been using, and the other was sitting behind my house. I had some work done on one, and I was going to take the other to get it done tomorrow.

Well, I went outside to get it, and it was filled with a solid block of ice. So I grabbed my burner, lit it, turned it up all the way and started melting the ice.

After about 40 minutes, about half of the ice was melted, and I figured that it would be a good idea to dump it. I carefully took it off the burner and tipped it over, then I thought that it would be a good idea to flip it over to drain out as much as I could, so I grabbed the bottom of the keg and lifted it up.

I didn't feel the pain for about 5 seconds because my hands were so cold. When I did pull my hand away, it actually stuck to the red hot stainless steel for a second. My hand looks a bit like a steak right now.

After 2 hours at urgent care, the doc says that I have second degree burns, and none of the nurses could figure out why I was crying like a baby, much less how I drove myself there. I was just pissed because I was supposed to go hunting tonight.

To top it off, all they would give me are Tylenol 3's, and the doc made me promise not to take them with a couple of beers. Oh yeah, and the Tetnus booster that they gave me was a real treat too.

[corysdad]

So now how ya gonna fix your ride? BIL gets the whole gig?

[DecoJuicer]

Doc says that I should be ok in a couple of weeks. It'll be at least that long before I get the $$$ for the new engine.

[iamnick]

Best of luck with the recovery.

[BrewDog]

Get well soon-

Don't feel so dumb. I did the exact same thing about 3 months ago, when I went to dump out some heated up PBW water from my keggle. It wasn't as cold out so I felt the burn immediately (tiny 1st degree across 3 fingers). It still hurt like hell for me, and I can only imagine how much it hurt for you.

[Jeff]

If it makes you feel any better I once took the radiator cap off an overheated car too quick. I had 2nd degree burns on my side from my waste up to my arm and one little spot of 3rd degree burns. Make sure you change your bandages and hopefully they gave you some silvadine to put on the burn.

[MeridianFC]

If I started telling tales of doing stupid stuff like this, it'll fill the entire realbeer database.

[DecoJuicer]

They put silvadine on it last night. I have to follow up with my own doc in about an hour. They will change the bandages then, I hope.

[zoom6zoom]

Finally, a use is found for an ice-cold Bud. Just hold it, don't drink it.

[DecoJuicer]

I really should have been a doctor. Doc saw me for 5 minutes, said, "yep, those are second degree burns, go see this plastic surgeon guy."

At least he wrote me a script for vicadins and some silvadine.

[Jeff]

Silvadine works wonders, I had quite a bit left but it fell off my bathroom shelf and exploded, it does leave stains on the ceiling. :(

[DecoJuicer]

Your not kidding about the Silvadine. I've used it for 2 days now, and my blisters are almost gone. I'm still going to see the other doc on Monday, but I may have really dodged a bullet this time. Except for the $60 in doctor bills and prescriptions. But I think that's a small price to pay. It could have been much worse.

[chazwicke]

I missed this thread before now. I hope your doing much better Deco.

[wortchillergoal]

Glad that you seem to be doing ok there Deco. If it helps, I had a big moment of stupidity this week also.

We were a little behind in our kitchen, home, this week. My mom was coming out to see her grandsons. My wife wanted the kitchen to look better than it did. I did not have enough time so I put some unwashed things in to the oven. One was a plastic colander.

The next day at work my wife calls to inform me that the house has filled with smoke. She and the two boys have evacuated the building. She got the oven off before leaving and opened the back door and several windows.

Oh well, it keeps things interesting.

[dparsons]

Ouch.

[DecoJuicer]

Well, the doc said that I am just fine. My hand is completely back to normal with just minimal scaring and some cracked skin.

I finally got around to finishing the job that I started, and it only took me about 10 minutes. I'm taking this keg tomorrow to get it worked on.

Incidentally, the guy that worked on my first keggle did a great job. He used a plasma torch and an angle grinder to completely smooth down the ridge that I had when I cut the top out. Turns out he really likes Oberon and Two Hearted. Since I made a Two Hearted clone last week, and I am going to try an Oberon clone next week, he was thrilled when I told him I would give him a 12 pack of each. He told me that any more metal work that I needed, he would be happy to provide for home brew.

I wonder if he can make me a false bottom for one of those keggles??

[beerking]

Glad to hear you have recovered with no lasting effects, Deco.

[dparsons]

Definitely glad you're better.

[animal]

At least you weren't killed. That would've qualified you for a Darwin Award. Of course you might still get honorable mention.

Seriously though, I would've taken the keg in and let it thaw for a day or two.

Good to hear you're doing OK.
________
Wendie 99 (http://www.lovelywendie99.com/)