13 - 16 gallon fermenters - what you got?

[haeffnkr]

In my always changing brewing techniques, I am looking at other options for fermenters.

- I want one that is 13 - 16 gallons
- Has a lid big enough to get my arm in and easily clean
- Can hold a few pounds of pressure so I can apply CO2 and push out the beer via a racking cane/hose into the serving keg

What ideas do you have?

thanks Kevin

 

[kickflip_mj]

Try the speidels. I have 2 and love them, they say 60l on the side but I think that means for 60l batches. They max out at around 18 gallons. I havnt tried force transferring, but I'm sure I could


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[Rivenin]

it more depends on how much you want to spend

 

[DSorenson]

it more depends on how much you want to spend

This!

 

[haeffnkr]

it more depends on how much you want to spend

Under 125 each.

 

[Rivenin]

****** double post*********

 

[Rivenin]

you could get 2-3 20 gallon brute buckets for cheap (they're food grade)
--- https://byo.com/stories/issue/item/1883-build-a-budget-big-fermenter-projects

1/2bbl keg, for 13 gallons it'd be fine, but 15-16 obviously you're gonna need a blow off tube for fermcap and a watchful eye.

if you can swing up a bit more on $$$ you could get a plastic conical and build a stand

here is a HDPE 30 gallon container for a bit over 70
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=74074

15 gallon HDPE container for just over 40
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=74069

Or browse a bit in here?

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.aspx?catid=838&clickid=popcorn

 

[haeffnkr]

That is a nice idea... 20 gallon trash can.. but I am not sure it will fit for me

I forgot to add my other rule -
Needs to be about sanke keg size or smaller so I can get it in my fermenter refrigerator.

I am leaning towards this... I have received one endorsement on these so far.
http://www.curtec.com/en/products/drums/wide-neck-drums/detail/wide-neck-drum-55-litres

thanks for the ideas... keep them coming

 

[haeffnkr]

I am getting 2 of these -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201127778146

I will let you know how they work out.

thanks Kevin

 

[rekoob]

Try the speidels.

you have a link to these?

 

[WayFrae]

you have a link to these?

http://bit.ly/1r5plZN

 

[rekoob]

Funny, but that doesn't work on this computer and speidels comes up with a bunch of stuff, the closest thing is a brew kettle from a place overseas.

 

[brew_ny]

here you go

http://morebeer.com/products/speidel-plastic-fermenter-60l-159-gal.html

all the best

S_M

 

[WI_Wino]

I am getting 2 of these -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201127778146

I will let you know how they work out.

thanks Kevin

Those look pretty cool, looking forward to your review.

 

[adman]

I am getting 2 of these -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201127778146

I will let you know how they work out.

thanks Kevin

I was going to post a link to those. I have two and use them frequently for 10 gallon batches. For big beers and/or aggressive yeast you should use a blow off (you do need to drill a hole in the lid), but I've had 10 gallon batches of smaller beers ferment with just an airlock. Pretty fantastic deal for $35 each shipped.

 

[haeffnkr]

thanks for the update.
I found also that several people on the NB forum use the Curtec barrels and love them.

How do you get the beer out of them?

thanks Kevin

 

[adman]

thanks for the update.
I found also that several people on the NB forum use the Curtec barrels and love them.

How do you get the beer out of them?

thanks Kevin

Because they're actually not much taller than a 6.5 gallon carboy, the large (1/2" ID) auto-siphon works great. Using a hose clamp to switch between kegs without losing siphon, you can fill two kegs super fast.

EDIT: just reread the OP regarding transferring under pressure. I've never tried, but they seem pretty sturdy and the lid seals really well. You probably could put enough pressure into them to start a siphon at least, but I wouldn't try much over 2-3 psi.

 

[Doed]

I am getting 2 of these -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201127778146

I will let you know how they work out.

thanks Kevin

I have one of these. Works well and the size is right, bigger diameter, about the same height as a BB.

I would suggest when you drill the hole in the lid for a grommet, you go slightly larger than 1/2 inch like maybe 17/32. I found that an airlock is a really tight fit with the 1/2 inch hole that I drilled in mine.

 

[branman]

Brewershardware.com has a 15 gallon. I have the non jacketed one and I love it... as you can see I also got leg extension and a sight tube so I can monitor the dumps

 

[seph]

http://maine.craigslist.org/grq/4613521110.html

I'll just leave this here....

 

[haeffnkr]

Brewershardware.com has a 15 gallon. I have the non jacketed one and I love it... as you can see I also got leg extension and a sight tube so I can monitor the dumps

Wow - that is pretty
It should be on a mantle in your living room !

but ... I think it is more than 125 and wont fit in my kegerator/ferment chamber

http://maine.craigslist.org/grq/4613521110.html

I'll just leave this here....

Those are very nice...but too tall.
I would buy several though if they were close... thanks for the post.

Keep them coming guys

 

[branman]

Sorry, misread the price limit.

 

[seph]

Those are very nice...but too tall.
I would buy several though if they were close... thanks for the post.

I would too, but I can't see driving to Southern NH for plastic buckets. xD

 

[Gameface]

Nothing beats a speidel, imo.

Here's mine snug as a bug in a rug in a 5cuft chest freezer.

 

[haeffnkr]

Nothing beats a speidel, imo.

Here's mine snug as a bug in a rug in a 5cuft chest freezer.

How do you get the beer out? Co2 push or?

Thanks Kevin

 

[grathan]

http://maine.craigslist.org/grq/4613521110.html

I'll just leave this here....

Wow, that is awesome. You could start a 3 BBL brewery for $100.

 

[Gameface]

How do you get the beer out? Co2 push or?

Thanks Kevin

No, I currently heave the fermenter out of the chest freezer and gravity feed into kegs.

 

[haeffnkr]

No, I currently heave the fermenter out of the chest freezer and gravity feed into kegs.

Wow !

 

[haeffnkr]

Update -

Got some of these curtech fermenters.

So far no issues, of course initial cleaning and filling was a breeze.
I have a lager bubbling away in this one.
So it is air tight.

Off topic -
Does anyone have a good way to get tape (and the temp probe) to stick to a wet cold lager fermenter?
I cuss a lot and waste a roll of tape currently trying to get the tape to stick

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Try a stretchy"Ace" bandage, and a chunk of foam to insulate the probe.
Stretch and secure the bandage, then stretch to install the foam and probe combo.


Tape is so "last week"..............