kcinpdx

Recipes 

I'm on my way to completing a sanke fermenter with the following specs:

upside down sanke
2" tri clamp to 2" stainless ball valve on the bottom
4" tri clamp to modified end cap on the top

Here is the issue - I ordered 2 corny post adapters and the plan was to drill and tap the 4" end cap and install a gas in and liquid out post. Problem is that the adapter do not work with liquid out. The new working plan is to tap a 1/4" threaded hole in the end cap. Screw the adapter all the way in, allowing some threads to be usable on the bottom of the cap, tehm attach a compression fitting to it. To the compression fitting add the dip tube.

First - does this sound reasonable?
If so, what is the OD of a corny dip tube?

Second - on the bottom of the fermenter where I have the 2" ball valve, I would love to add some sort of a clear housing (like a water filter housing) to see how much trub is coming out. Problem is I can't find any way to attach something to a 2" sanitary fitting. Any ideas?

cyberbackpacker

Recipes 

Here is my first thought:

Stainless - Glass Sight Gauge - 1 inch flow | MoreBeer

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cyberbackpacker

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kcinpdx

Recipes 

that is perfect, although VERY expensive! Perhaps I can find one cheaper...

Grimsawyer

Recipes 

a bit off subject... I have a friend who took his sanke keg and made it into a fermenter. He cut a hole in the top and used a lid from a corny keg to seal the top. He hooked a clover fitting to the now bottom sanke keg tap hole and has a nice big ball valve attached to make a dump valve. He then drilled a hole near the now bottom on the side through the sanke keg handle and silver soldered a tube to it. That is where he kegs from. he dosn't, however use anything but gravity to move his fermented beer. Also attached to the skirt is 3 legs with casters on the bottom. Can just wheel it around. Sounds like you got a similar thing going but will have the advantage of using compressed co2 to move your beer around. Happy brewing!

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kcinpdx

Recipes 

sounds like a similar idea - I actually thought about adding legs and casters, but I've got to figure out the liquid out thing first.

kcinpdx

Recipes 

St Pat's of texas has a 4" modified end cap that would be perfect - it is used as a wine barrel topper - exactly what I need, but it is $130. Any idea of what components are used here?

St. Patrick's of Texas

WortMonger

Recipes 

That's a lot of money. I still don't understand why anyone would change their Sankes to ferment. I know I am biased, but they are so easy to use "as is." I'm all for the project, but I have to voice the fact that they do work just fine for some of us in their natural state. I always have to chime in on keg threads so at least it is said, lol.

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kcinpdx

Recipes 

I have a freebie sanke coming my way - I'll try the closed system on that one, assuming I can get a hold of a cheap coupler.

WortMonger

Recipes 

Not even closed system. Just pop the dip tube assembly out and stick in a big enough stopper with airlock, or large enough tubing for blow off. They are great, I just like my closed system for myself. Cleaning a keg is as easy as Oxy-Clean or PBW for an overnight soak. Very happy with keg ferments so far.

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"Beer... Nutritious and Delicious!"

Ryan_PA

Recipes 

Thats what I do. I use an orange carboy cap. It took some convincing the first time, but is good to go after that. It is like a huge, unbreakable, carboy. After the first few years of brewing, I no longer need to see what is going on inside the fermenter.