Using 28 qt. coleman to ferment in

JBOZZ300 · 02-08-2012, 02:08 PM

Newbie to brewing. I have a rectangle 28 qt. coleman cooler that I was thinking of using as a fermenter. I've read that a lot of people are using their round 5 gal coolers as a mash tun, but no one really using a cooler for fermenting. Is this a good or bad idea? I currently don't have a carboy or fermenting bucket of any type and wanted to use what I already have in the garage to go to the next step in the brewing world. Currently have done 2 extract batches with Mr. Beer and I want to begin doing 5 gal. partial mashes. But I want to do this without hacking off the wife and having to purchase a ton of items. Thinking that if this will work then I'll drill a small hole in the top for the airlock and I'll be ready to brew. Thoughts, comments, concerns? Thanks in advance for your comments. Have a great one....

qrb912 · 02-08-2012, 02:17 PM

Make sure it is CLEAN and does not have any scratches in it to harbor nasties that will infect your beer. You are going ot aslo have to drill a hole in it somewhere that will allow you to put in an airlock or a blow-off hose. Other than that, I think it would work just fine. I am not too sure how well it will do with Temp being insulated like that either, but please post in here and let us know how it worked.

**BargainFittings** · 02-08-2012, 02:41 PM

Probably would work fine.
I doubt you will get a gas free seal so an airlock would probably not be necessary.

Check with bakeries for 5 gallon buckets that had frosting or fillings in them.
Avoid pickle buckets.

A lot of them will give them to you or sell them for a small amount.

pinback · 02-08-2012, 02:49 PM

yep, picked up a 5 gal frosting bucket that was great quality, hdpe type 2 plastic with a lid that had a rubber seal in it for $1. totally worth it for the wine batch i have planned. and maybe a beer in the future.

anybody found a source for the larger 6.5 gallon buckets?

JBOZZ300 · 02-08-2012, 03:42 PM

Nice thing about that cooler is that it has a pretty tight lid when closed so I'd go ahead and get an airlock and/or blow-off line anyway. Yea I've thought about going over to the Walmart or Kroger bakery and seeing about asking for some buckets and lids. Problem is that most are right at 5 gal which would not allow enough head space. Drilling the hole and getting the airlock and maybe a rubber grommet is not a biggie. Just worried about doing a 5 gal batch in a 5 gal bucket.

**BargainFittings** · 02-08-2012, 04:57 PM

3 and 5 gallon buckets would be a good excuse to split batches and pitch different yeast or dry hop different etc.

JBOZZ300 · 02-08-2012, 05:13 PM

I do have a 3 gal round Gott cooler that I thought about turning into a mash tun. Installed a ball valve and line last weekend so I could do that. But using less containers appeals to me. Not sure if I'm ready to separate and use different yeasts. Just want to keep it simple in the beginning....lol.

**wilserbrewer** · 02-08-2012, 06:41 PM

I was always concerned that the heat generated by fermentation would build within the cooler...Should work well, I would keep on eye on temps during peak fermentation to be sure it doesn't get too warm.

JBOZZ300 · 02-09-2012, 02:02 PM

So do y'all think that because the cooler is insulated that the heat will not be transferred out as fast as being in a bucket or a glass carboy? That makes sense. Will definitely drill a hole in the top and add a blow-off and/or airlock so I can take it out and slip in a long-stem thermometer to keep an eye on the temp. I had already decided to drill the hole slightly bigger to slide a piece of tubing into the hole first to make it snug. That will seal the hole a little better and also make it a little cleaner hole. If it does get a little warm I can always add the blow-off to allow more heat to escape.

**BrewerinBR** · 02-09-2012, 02:41 PM

You can get HPDE Type 2 buckets with sealing lids at Lowes and Home Depot for less than $10.00. The Lowes by me sells the white food grade 5 gallon bucket for $4.98 and the lid is $1.98, a little tight for a full 5 gallons but I have used them. simply drilled a hole for the airlock a little small and did not even use a grommet.