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What is used for fermenting 10 gallon batches?

Discussion in 'General Homebrew Discussion' started by davidr7283, Dec 29, 2011.

 

  1. #1
    davidr7283

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    I'm in the process of upgrading my equipment to brew 10 gallon batches. Right now I use 6 gallon carboys for fermenting. What do you use for 10 gallon batches? Do you split it into 2 - 6 gallon fermenters?
     
  2. #2
    jiggs_casey

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
  3. #3
    Teromous

    Beer Gnome  

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    Split it, unless you're fortunate enough to have a larger conical fermenter. Some others have made fermenters out of both larger stainless steel vessels or plastic. Usually those are the ones going in the 20-50 gallon range though.
     
  4. #4
    Darkness

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    I you like glass go to a 15gal demijohn I have two and they work great I believe Midwest brewing has them on there website or ask your local HBS
     
  5. #5
    chromados

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    Another good option if you can find them is to ferment in Sanke kegs, Brewers Hardware Sanke Keg Fermenter Kit with Thermowell or You can also stretch an orange carboy cap over the opening of the keg. I have been keeping my eyes open for some for my 10 gallon batches.

    Chromados
     
  6. #6
    shelly_belly

    Someday After A While

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    Also, keep in mind how you are going to move it around.
     
  7. #7
    acefaser

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
  8. #8
    HawkATP

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    I have split mine in the past, but just acquired a sanke keg that I'll be fermenting in from now on. Get to test it out next week.
     
  9. #9
    onthekeg

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    If you are planning on putting more than 5 gallons somewhere for fermentation, I recommend having at the proper height to transfer to your kegs or bottling bucket without moving it full.
    1. Its heavy
    2. You don't want to stir up the dregs that have settled out.
     
  10. #10
    wyoohio

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    sanke is what I use. Pull the spear and use a 10.5 drilled stopper with normal air lock. Plus you can no chill
     
  11. #11
    worstbrewing

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
  12. #12
    Piratwolf

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    Got mine free from LHBS. I buy a good bit there, and the owner told me just to ask when I want more. May get a few to experiment on: cut off top & try bucket lid, drill hole in base & add trub dump valve, insert funnel in base & caulk edges to funnel yeast for harvest, etc. One of my goals for this year :)
     
  13. #13
    Yooper

    Ale's What Cures You! Staff Member  

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    I'm unable to lift 10+ gallons of beer, so I ferment in two ale pails.
     
  14. #14
    davidr7283

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    Thanks for the input everyone!

    Sounds like there are many ways I can go. Now just need to figure out what is best for my situation.
     
  15. #15
    jma99

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    Gravity sucks, man!

    I use 2 6 gal better-bottles with fermcap.

    Much easier to move around, and I can use different yeasts!
     
    Clanchief likes this.
  16. #16
    beerloaf

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    This is what I use. I have 2 -15 gal large plastic containers that I converted into large fermenters. I try not to go over 10 gal much due to their weight and size for mobility. They were $10 a piece and are food grade and were used by my LHBS for liquid extract delivery and storage. In the pic below there is a 5 gal and 6 gal carboy on either side. And don't ask how I got the spigot on there. It was interesting.

    [​IMG]
     
  17. #17
    phatuna

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
  18. #18
    LKABrewer

    BJCP Master Judge  

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    I still use 2x 6.5 gallon carboys. I enjoy splitting the fermentation with two different yeasts.
     
  19. #19
    iaefebs

    Banned

    Ironedge likes this.
  20. #20
    Demon

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    I use the 50lb vittles vault linked above. Just drill a hole in the lid for an airlock and you're set. It's short enough to fit in my fermentation freezer without needing a collar.
     
  21. #21
    Clanchief

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    I agree with this or similar. I like to use 2 ale pales, and then I can pitch a different yeast in each one if I like, and really get two very different beers with just one brewing process.
     
  22. #22
    Droot

    Brewing since 1991

    Posted Dec 29, 2011
    For years I open fermented 11 gals in a sanke with the top cut off. It was also my HLT. I needed help moving it. Then I bought a 7.5 gal stainless conical. It makes life so much easier I switched to 5 gal batches. BUT now that my family has had my beer for Christmas I got a second stainless conical. The gift that keeps on giving. Back to 10 gallon batches. It takes the same amount of time to clean up after brewing 5 gallons as it does 11. My original one has a chcocolate stout in it right now. Brewing 10 gallons Fat Tire Clone on the first of the year.

    [​IMG][/IMG]
     
  23. #23
    Ironedge

    Active Member

    Posted Dec 20, 2015
  24. #24
    Todes

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Jan 10, 2017
    Do you think a 13 gallon fermenter would do the trick for the 10 gallon batch?
     
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