137 gallon fermenter IDEA

[WortMonger]

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[LakeErieBrew]

That is a kick ass fermenter. Where did you get the 55 gallon drum?

 

[Cold_Steel]

Thanks. Lakeeriebrew. I just posted it under the DIY area. Click my profile for all the pics to the parts.

 

[Sawdustguy]

I think the best bet would be to build a walk-in environmentally controlled room that would not only cool, but heat also, especially if you plan on having more than one of these.

 

[Cold_Steel]

I think the best bet would be to build a walk-in environmentally controlled room that would not only cool, but heat also, especially if you plan on having more than one of these.

I agree with you 100%. I have constructed such room. However, at the time I only want to heat. I do not want to deal with the cost of cooling so I will only be dealing with a warm room. So this is a seasonal fermenter. For now.

 

[sakeyfour]

Have you considered an interior stainless chiller attached to the lid. Make it about half the diamater of the fermentor. It would come off with the lid so could be cleaned and would not touch the sides so no worry about scratching your fermentor. Then have an external wrapped around the outside. This would help distribute cooling throughout the beer in the fermentor. No warmer spot in the middle.

 

[Ryan_PA]

I just wanted to re-ask where you are finding the ss barrels? Some friends and I are looking for some of the same, in your same geographic area, so a point in the right direction would be appreciated.

*Edit - poor reading on my part. From your other post -

1- 55 gallon stainless steel drum
(i used abby drum in Baltimore Md) BUY USED

 

[Cold_Steel]

Have you considered an interior stainless chiller attached to the lid. Make it about half the diamater of the fermentor. It would come off with the lid so could be cleaned and would not touch the sides so no worry about scratching your fermentor. Then have an external wrapped around the outside. This would help distribute cooling throughout the beer in the fermentor. No warmer spot in the middle.

Yes I have thought of it. However, it is not in the budget right now .
What would you use glycol or water? If you go with glycol, the cost goes up really fast. Plus, if a leak occurs, you are really in trouble. However, it would be a risk worth taking. If you use water, you save a lot of money on equipment. But you many lose in the performance department.

I plan on working with nature a little. For now, I will brew in the fall or winter and deal with just heating it. I have a warm room and can control the temp. very well in it. When I need to crash cool it. I can just roll it out into the main floor space into 32-40 degree weather.