15 gallon fermenter. Is this any good?

**mikeysab** · 11-01-2009, 03:01 AM

http://www.homebrewhq.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=2266

has anybody ever used one of these, or even heard of anyone who has? It doesn't say anything about recycling code, but it does say it's "food grade plastic". Does this interest anyone, or should I stear clear?

fartingdog · 11-01-2009, 03:09 AM

Welllll, since LME comes packaged in those I would expect they are food grade. No reason to worry IMO.

annasdadhockey · 11-01-2009, 03:14 AM

The only thing I would be leary of is not being able to clean them properly, or at least not knowing 100% that they are clean. Just my .02

**mikeysab** · 11-01-2009, 03:23 AM

I don't think they'd be any harder to clean than a better bottle or a glass carboy. I'd expect to just fill it with water and oxyclean, and that should do it. I would be a bit leary about how clean they are when they arrive though, but giving it a good wash should clear it up. I need to order some things anyway, so maybe I'll just give this thing a whirl. Hopefully this won't turn into needing to buy a double banjo burner and another brewpot though. SWMBO already isn't happy about the expense of my hobby.

jmethodius · 11-01-2009, 04:45 PM

I was looking at these for around $30 for 15 gallon (going open top, for the previously mentioned cleaning issue).

15 Gallon Open head Drum

OMJ · 11-01-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeysab

http://www.homebrewhq.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=2266

has anybody ever used one of these, or even heard of anyone who has? It doesn't say anything about recycling code, but it does say it's "food grade plastic". Does this interest anyone, or should I stear clear?

It looks to be the same thing as this which many people use as fermenters. I wish that site would show you shipping though. I might call them later and get an estimate cause $10 a piece is a good price.

**mikeysab** · 11-01-2009, 10:49 PM

Yep, looks the same, only difference is one is brand new and one is used. For 10 bucks though, I guess it's worth a shot. Might grab one for making ciders for now, till I upgrade my equipment to make a 15 gallon batch. Actually, with a fermenter like this, what kind of headspace would you have to leave?

**Battery_BreweryNJ** · 11-02-2009, 02:35 PM

I work at a Bop and we use these for our 15 gallon brews. We actually line them with food grade plastic bags as a way of insurance because no matter how well u clean plastic there could be a small nick in the wall where bacteria will grow.

**FSR402** · 11-02-2009, 02:44 PM

I use them Get them from my milk farm and they do work well. Not as easy to clean as a better bottle but still not to bad.

Look around and see if there are any milk farms in your area, They will have a bunch these and most places will just give them away.

jmethodius · 11-03-2009, 04:28 AM

FYI on the shipping. I ordered 3 (now canceled) and the shipping ALONE was $47.