I'm trying to upgrade my system from 5 gallon batches to 10 gallon batches, and I'm curious as to what everyone uses for a fermenter for 10 gallons. I guess I could split the batch in two buckets or figure out how to convert a keg. Thoughts?
10 gallon batches?
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Jaysus
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At this point, I just use two buckets when needed.
ThickHead
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Bingo.
Many people just use two 6.5 gallon carboys. However, if you're into laying out the dough you could always go this route: Bling, bling!
I started by splitting the batch between two carboys. Later I used a 15 gallon HDPE "barrel". Now I use sankey kegs with the spears removed.
Hex
Well-Known Member
Two separate boils (different hops schedules), two carboys, two yeasts, two totally different beers from the same base wort! No need for new immersion cooler or larger pot...
When I first went to 10 gallons I used 2 buckets. Now I use one of these. Vittle Vault
It is 13.0 gal and is air tight. I am working on putting bulkhead fittings in it so I can transfer with CO2 to my keg.
It is 13.0 gal and is air tight. I am working on putting bulkhead fittings in it so I can transfer with CO2 to my keg.
I use a vittles vault with a spigot installed on the side for draining and a blowoff tube grommeted into the lid. It will hold up to 14 gallons and it cost me $60 for everything (vault, spigot and rubber grommet)
JetSmooth
Well-Known Member
I have two antique ten gallon corny kegs. Haven't fermented in them yet because they need some new fittings. But I plan on putting 7-8 gallons into one of them and the rest into a 5 gallon corny.
Sanky keg with the stem removed.
I use two buckets since I doubt I could lift a fermenter with 10 gallons in it even if my life depended on it, and I don't have a conical.
I don't want a conical, really, since I don't have a cold room to keep it in. So, two buckets/two carboys is all I use.
I don't want a conical, really, since I don't have a cold room to keep it in. So, two buckets/two carboys is all I use.
theonetrueruss
Senior Member
I use 1 6.5G carboy plus a 6.5G bucket... I like to avoid having 2 glass carboys side by side in my fermentation chest freezer for fear of clanging them together and losing the batch.
that vittles vault sounds interesting though I don't think I want to be lifting 10G into and out of my chest freezer without some kind of a wench... or dragging it up my stairs (things go where they fit) using 2 separate containers makes my setup work well for me... and lets me tweak each half differently like using different yeast or having sugar/fruit additions in one etc.. I like variety.. 2 beers - 1 boil
that vittles vault sounds interesting though I don't think I want to be lifting 10G into and out of my chest freezer without some kind of a wench... or dragging it up my stairs (things go where they fit) using 2 separate containers makes my setup work well for me... and lets me tweak each half differently like using different yeast or having sugar/fruit additions in one etc.. I like variety.. 2 beers - 1 boil
JuanMoore
Getting the banned back together
Sankey kegs are awesome fermenters. Even though I have a 1/2bl sanke for fermenting, I still usually split my batches for two reasons. One is that 5 gal of liquid is much easier to manipulate than 10. The second is that I really enjoy comparing different yeasts, dry hopping techniques, etc. head to head.
Bigscience
Well-Known Member
I use two buckets too but lately I've been thinking if I should be filling one and then the other or bouncing back and forth. I was wondering if the extra few minutes the second bucket had on the hops would matter. (I CFC in ~20 minutes) Maybe one day I'll do a side by side blind test but usually I don't put 2 of the same keg on tap.
JohnTheBrewist
Well-Known Member
Depends on what I'm doing and where I have room. I have a plastic conical, a brewhemoth, and several buckets.
I have a 15.5 gallon keg like others. But most of the time I split it into two buckets and pitch 2 different yeasts. It gives me two different beers to play with. It’s amazing the difference in my beers by doing this.
Cheers
Jay
Cheers
Jay
I have two 13 gallon food grade plastic barrels that I added drum Tap Spigots to and drilled a hole in the lid and added a grommet for the air lock.
^^ thats funny... sanke keg, spear taken out and I do believe a #11 stopper?
I use one of these:
http://www.brewershardware.com/American-Sanke-Keg-Fermenter-Kit-with-Thermowell.html
but I think a 6 gallon carboy cap will work too. the #11 stopper has gaps that freaked me out a little.
HHP
Well-Known Member
How do you like the vittles vault compared to two buckets? I have been using two buckets, but I have a strong desire to move to one fermentation vessel, and this seems like a pretty good solution.
I used to use two buckets as well. I like it and I actually bought a second one. Just waiting to see how the CO2 transfer works before buying the necessary parts for the second one. First CO2 transfer will get tested tomorrow when I move Kolsch to the kegs.
I did move my fermentation to my garage where I brew as carrying 11 gal of wort downstairs isn't any fun. I have a two wheel dolly that I put it on to wheel it to my fermentation fridge. I made a sling for it so its easier to lift. I only have to lift it 6 inches or so to get it into my fermentation fridge.
You can buy replacement lids if needed from the manufacture. I messed one up modifying my for CO2 transfer. I think they are $12 or 15 each for new lid.
HHP
Well-Known Member
Well, keep me updated on the co2 transfer, that sounds like a great idea.
Is $36.33 on amazon a pretty good price?
I like using 2 buckets, they are easier to move and handle vs anything with 10gallons in it, plus they make it easy to do fun side by side experiments like 2 different yeasts, different dry hopping, oak aging. Not to mention buying 2 of them are still much cheaper than most single vessel options.
I just did 10 gallons of Imperial Stout recently and I'm going to bottle the first 5 gallons straight up and the second 5 gallons is spending an extra month ageing with Ancho Peppers and Cocoa Nibs.
I just did 10 gallons of Imperial Stout recently and I'm going to bottle the first 5 gallons straight up and the second 5 gallons is spending an extra month ageing with Ancho Peppers and Cocoa Nibs.
I also use the 50lb Vittle Vaults. So far they have worked great. I put them in a 20 gallon rubbermaid bucket during fermentation to keep the temps in check. Now that the freezer's rewired though I am going to be putting them in their.
I'd also like to hear about the CO2 setup or a a thermowell for these to keep better tabs on the temps.
I'd also like to hear about the CO2 setup or a a thermowell for these to keep better tabs on the temps.
I did my first CO2 transfered my updated vittle vault last night. Everything worked great. I might have to cut a little bit more off the bottom of my dip tube so it doesn't suck up as much yeast/trub. you can see my setup in the following post Vittle Vault Upgrade
appanooserapids
Member
I use two 6.5 gallon Better Bottles for each 10 gallon batch. Like Yooper, I could never move them if the whole batch was in one container.
I like the VittleVault... and will be investing in some of those once I make the move to 10 gallons.
So whatever you guys do, PLEASE don't tell anyone we're using them for HBing or they'll jack the prices up.
So whatever you guys do, PLEASE don't tell anyone we're using them for HBing or they'll jack the prices up.
LuckyBeagleBrewing
Well-Known Member
Been thinking about trying one of these 15 Gallon Opaque White Closed Top Shipping Container. Food grade and 15 gallon. Just use the bucket and a big funnel to fill it. They are cheap enough I think.
LuckyBeagleBrewing
Well-Known Member
I have also seen these although they are a bit more expensive Inductor Cone Bottom Bulk Storage Tanks they might be fun to try too.
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