1.5 - 2 gal fermentors?

[SanPancho]

been looking to find some 1.5 to 2 gal fermentors, but cant use the 2gal buckets as they are too wide (cant fit enough in ferm chamber).

has anyone found the mythical 1.5 gal/ 6 liter/ etc glass container? the only thing ive seen that seems relevant is the little big mouth bubbler, but reviews seem to say they shatter like crazy. makes me bit nervous.

and apparently carlo rossi doesnt sell 5liter jugs of wine anymore, havent seen them anywhere.

willing to do plastic as well if they are easy to use/find.

 

[McKnuckle]

If you are willing to improvise a bit, these large, clear plastic pretzel jugs are about 1.6 gallons in capacity. They have a sealing lid:

http://www.bjs.com/snyders-of-hanover-mini-pretzel-canister-with-resealable-lid--4--oz-.product.3000000000000172163

 

[SanPancho]

that could work. i assume a hole or two drilling in the lid for airlock/thermometer/etc is all it takes to put them in service? do we know what sort of plastic its made from?

just cant think of where i've ever seen these. im familiar with the pretzels, just dont think ive ever seen them in a big jug like that, only bags....

i guess i should check costco, walmart, etc?

edit: amazon, $7.99 with free shipping as an "add-on" item

 

[redllama]

If your LHBS sells liquid extract ask them if they have any empty 30# jugs. I used them for a while and it held a little over 2 gallons. Took a bit of time to get all the extract cleaned out but they were free and great for small BIAB test batches

 

[JohnSand]

There are 1.5 and 2 gallon iced tea jars.

 

[Thorrak]

I was searching for the same awhile back, but was specifically looking for plastic, with a wide mouth. Someone recommended Animal Cookie jugs from Sams/Costco.

Alternatively, if you want stainless, you could always go 2.5 gallon Corny Keg. I've been using 5 gallon corny kegs to ferment 2.5 gallon batches lately, and it works great!

 

[SanPancho]

i did look at the ice tea jars, but none seemed sturdy/safe and there didnt seem to be an easy way to add airlocks/etc. and corny kegs are fine, but dont really want to tie up the cornys with small batches like this.

anybody know what kind of plastic these jar/jugs are made of? i guess i wouldnt be putting any hot wort in there so maybe its not a huge issue, but still curious to know what im working with for material.

 

[passedpawn]

I made this in about an hour. Buy at Target or Amazon for cheap. Here's a build thread. If you look in the thread below, you'll see an Amazon link that will let you choose from 1.5, 2, and 2.5 gallon. I got mine from Target.

2 1/2 gallon Montana Jar Fermentor

 

[Ike]

As the post above shows, head to Amazon and search for what ever size jar you want. I have two similar to the one pictured above. I haven't fermented in them yet but I'm dying to: the lids have a very robust seal that I'm expecting will do very well.

ANOTHER OPTION: if you're ok with plastic, I've found the 5# jars I get my protein powder will hold two gallons almost perfectly. They're HDPE, but most folks here agree it's fine for fermenting. Wide-mouthed makes them easy to clean, and they're basically free if you or someone you know uses protein powder.

 

[McKnuckle]

I also have two of the 2.5 gallon glass canisters shown by passedpawn. The wide opening is very convenient for cleaning or top cropping. I don't bother with an airlock, because the lid has an integrated rubber gasket that seals well if not entirely airtight. +1 on these.

 

[McKnuckle]

do we know what sort of plastic its made from?

I checked the 1.6 gallon plastic pretzel jug. It's a type 1 recyclable, FWIW.

 

[passedpawn]

As the post above shows, head to Amazon and search for what ever size jar you want. I have two similar to the one pictured above. I haven't fermented in them yet but I'm dying to: the lids have a very robust seal that I'm expecting will do very well.

ANOTHER OPTION: if you're ok with plastic, I've found the 5# jars I get my protein powder will hold two gallons almost perfectly. They're HDPE, but most folks here agree it's fine for fermenting. Wide-mouthed makes them easy to clean, and they're basically free if you or someone you know uses protein powder.

I also have two of the 2.5 gallon glass canisters shown by passedpawn. The wide opening is very convenient for cleaning or top cropping. I don't bother with an airlock, because the lid has an integrated rubber gasket that seals well if not entirely airtight. +1 on these.

The lid is silicone rubber and forms a very tight seal, but there is a hole that is intentional in that lid (or you wouldn't be able to get it off!). So, if anybody adds the airlock, just plug the hole. I think I pointed out the hole in that thread. I'll check now. To plug, glop some silicone caulk in there (or use a glue gun, which is what I think I did).

The airlock is probably not important at all though. I just added it to make it look cool

[edit] I added a note to the other thread about the hole.

 

[RM-MN]

The lid is silicone rubber and forms a very tight seal, but there is a hole that is intentional in that lid (or you wouldn't be able to get it off!). So, if anybody adds the airlock, just plug the hole. I think I pointed out the hole in that thread. I'll check now. To plug, glop some silicone caulk in there (or use a glue gun, which is what I think I did).

The airlock is probably not important at all though. I just added it to make it look cool

[edit] I added a note to the other thread about the hole.

A small piece of plastic wrap taped over the hole makes a fine airlock.:rockin:

 

[SanPancho]

I made this in about an hour. Buy at Target or Amazon for cheap. Here's a build thread. If you look in the thread below, you'll see an Amazon link that will let you choose from 1.5, 2, and 2.5 gallon. I got mine from Target.

2 1/2 gallon Montana Jar Fermentor

i actually did see this thread, and ordered one from amazon. and a jug of pretzels. ill see which one i like the best. although i didnt see Ike's post about the protein powder jugs. my next door neighbor is super gym rat guy, im sure i can get some from him. although im pretty sure they're all opaque, and clear plastic/glass does seem a bit preferable. makes it easier to see when finings have done their job and also bit easier to make sure i dont pick up bunch of yeast/trub when i rack. which is a bummer, since they're hdpe and $0. oh well.

 

[Brewsncrabs]

Try a restaurant supply store if you have one near you. They have smaller plastic food grade storage containers with sealed lids that will work after you add an airlock.

 

[Oginme]

For that size, look into the Mr. Beer Keg fermentors. Small, stackable and pretty cheap. I have a set that I use for SMaSHs and experimental brews.

 

[NTexBrewer]

I use the 6 liter tap a draft bottles for adding fruit to one gallon batches of beer. Figure they are designed to hold beer so they are a safe option. They are designed to sit on their side so I use a cardboard box to keep them upright. Stopper and airlock fit perfectly.



Sorry about the sideways pictures.


.

 

[SanPancho]

I use the 6 liter tap a draft bottles for adding fruit to one gallon batches of beer. Figure they are designed to hold beer so they are a safe option. They are designed to sit on their side so I use a cardboard box to keep them upright. Stopper and airlock fit perfectly.



Sorry about the sideways pictures.


.

Id looked at those too, couldnt figure out a way to make them work though- i mostly brew lagers and so carboard wouldnt hold up in the cooler. The bottoms would get all soggy and gross.

 

[Ike]

Id looked at those too, couldnt figure out a way to make them work though- i mostly brew lagers and so carboard wouldnt hold up in the cooler. The bottoms would get all soggy and gross.

I kept my TAD bottles in plastic planter-pots big enough to hold them. You know...those disposable black plastic pots that plants come in. I got mine at the big box store for about a buck each in the gardening/potting section.

 

[madscientist451]

Why not just use 3 gallon carboy?

 

[Ike]

Why not just use 3 gallon carboy?

It's an option. I have a 2.75gal carboy that I'm going to use for a test batch of RIS because it's going to be sitting around for at least six months and I want to be POSITIVE I'm controlling the headspace.

But, for most stuff, I'm just done with dealing with the cleaning issues that carboys present. Every day, I get older, and grow more interested in the maxim of "work smarter, not harder." for me, it's pretty much wide-mouth or bust.

 

[madscientist451]

It's an option. I have a 2.75gal carboy that I'm going to use for a test batch of RIS because it's going to be sitting around for at least six months and I want to be POSITIVE I'm controlling the headspace.

But, for most stuff, I'm just done with dealing with the cleaning issues that carboys present. Every day, I get older, and grow more interested in the maxim of "work smarter, not harder." for me, it's pretty much wide-mouth or bust.

Yeah cleaning carboys is a hassle. But I still prefer carboys over buckets.
The easiest thing I've found is just fill with water and PBW and let it sit, the gunk eventually dissolves and settles to the bottom. Some brushing is still required but its minimal.
For small batches and long aging, I sometimes brew a 2.5 gallon batch, ferment in a 3 gallon carboy, after a few weeks I rack it off to two (1) gallon jugs , fit stoppers and airlocks and stash in the cool basement.
I fill right up to the neck of the jug so not much headspace.
Any leftover beer from the racking I just drink.