Home Brew Forums > Home Brewing Beer > Fermentation & Yeast > Anyone ever try to use a 15 gallon keg as a fermenter?




Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-23-2012, 10:52 PM   #1
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ottawa, ks
Posts: 16
Default Anyone ever try to use a 15 gallon keg as a fermenter?

How did it go? Were you able to clean it after fermentation was done? I want to use a 15 gallon keg as a fermenter any issues you might think of? I want to order another keg from ADVENTURES IN HOMEBREWING so I can make a 15 gallon batch and not rack 3 carboys. I can get a unmodified keg for $139.00. Any thoughts?


__________________
"ITS MORE FUN TO BREW YOUR OWN BEER!"
sticks22 is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 04-23-2012, 10:58 PM   #2
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
 
kvess's Avatar
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: York, sc
Posts: 189
Liked 2 Times on 2 Posts
Likes Given: 4

Default

http://www.brewershardware.com/American-Sanke-Keg-Fermenter-Kit-with-Thermowell.html

I am working on this right now.


__________________
The first five days after the weekend are always the hardest!
kvess is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 04-23-2012, 10:59 PM   #3
Breaking the Interwebs
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
 
RiverCityBrewer's Avatar
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 686
Liked 8 Times on 7 Posts

Default

Yeah I used to ferment in an unmodified sanke with no problems. I bought a carboy cleaner that attaches to a drill to clean it and it worked great... others have have good success with just filling it with PBW or oxy and letting it sit for a day or so. The thing I liked best was steam sanitizing... just put about a gallon of water in it, put a foil cap on and boil for about 20 minutes. Let it cool and drain the water and you are ready for wort. I used an orange carboy cap, just boil it for a few and stretch it to fit the neck of the sanke.
RiverCityBrewer is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 04-23-2012, 11:05 PM   #4
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 68
Liked 1 Times on 1 Posts

Default

They make great fermentors. But I wouldn't plan on putting 15 gallons in them. I only do ten so there is plenty of headspace.
John_FL is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 04-24-2012, 12:49 AM   #5
Senior Member
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: oakland, california
Posts: 2,182
Liked 72 Times on 67 Posts
Likes Given: 29

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sticks22 View Post
How did it go? Were you able to clean it after fermentation was done? I want to use a 15 gallon keg as a fermenter any issues you might think of? I want to order another keg from ADVENTURES IN HOMEBREWING so I can make a 15 gallon batch and not rack 3 carboys. I can get a unmodified keg for $139.00. Any thoughts?
like someone else also pointed out you might lose some of your beer out of the blow off unless you use something like fermcap. i ferment 15 gallons in a 20 gallon fermentor.
eastoak is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 04-24-2012, 01:26 AM   #6
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 58
Liked 2 Times on 2 Posts

Default

I'm fermenting right now in a 15.5 Sanke, with just a #11 rubber stopper. It seems to seal just fine, as I had bubbling through the airlock.
Redcat is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 04-24-2012, 02:37 PM   #7
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Lake Saint Louis, MO
Posts: 96
Liked 3 Times on 3 Posts
Likes Given: 1

Default

It works great. I've done 13 gallons in a sanke with no problems. (use a blowoff just in case)

Only problem I've had is the temp-control. 13 gallons of wort has a huge thermal mass, and cooling is a bit uneven in my temp-controlled freezer. I let mine sit for a few hours before pitching, and shake/swirl it a bit during that time to even out the temp.

The thermowell fermenter cap is a great investment, buy one (or two) and don't look back.

I think it's easier to clean 1 sanke than 2 carboys, I use a sump-pump cleaning machine, and a homemade spinning carboy cleaner.
Nohup is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 04-25-2012, 10:37 AM   #8
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ottawa, ks
Posts: 16
Default Good to hear this!

Im glad that some like the ss beer kegs as fermenters! Im going to be ordering one for such purpose.

One question though before I buy another one. Where is the cheapest place to get another one? Ive been qouted a price of $139.00. Any place cheaper or is that a fair price?


__________________
"ITS MORE FUN TO BREW YOUR OWN BEER!"
sticks22 is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Reply

Quick Reply
Message:
Options
Thread Tools
Display Modes


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
6.5 gallon fermenter Tkelly32 Fermentation & Yeast 6 02-15-2012 08:40 PM
10 Gallon Fermenter Overgflow BraxtonBrewery Fermentation & Yeast 2 10-25-2011 08:00 PM
1gallon batch in a 5 gallon fermenter Tam004 Fermentation & Yeast 2 08-21-2011 07:31 PM
Wyeast 1007 - 6.5 gallon plastic fermenter Goathouse Fermentation & Yeast 5 03-11-2011 03:17 AM
3 gallon batch fermentation in a 8 gallon bucket bad idea? blobs Fermentation & Yeast 5 03-30-2010 05:15 PM



FOLLOW US ON