55 Gallon Ordinary Steel Drum System

[Bobby_M]

I'm glad to hear of your continued success! If it works for you, more power to ya. Since the drums were free, it was definitely an idea worth trying. However, even after two years, I am still unconvinced until I see some pics. I look forward to seeing them. Personally, I won't use normal steel for a brewing vessel. It's all SS for me from here on out.

Did ya hear that, Bobby and wyzazz? No iron oxide poisoning, no bodily harm, and no hospital visit. Still a stupid idea? If so, how about you actually explain your opinion? That's what I try to do. Even if I all have to provide is criticism, I at least present it as a logical, responsive action... That way I don't sound like such an *******.

You're right. I concede that it's a great idea now that I see the pictures of the still in use rusty barrels and the fact that he is still alive to post. If only all ideas could be measured in terms of whether it kills you in year or not.

 

[Hoodweisen]

The Barrel wont last long we used them as a kid to burn trash in and they rotted away very quickly. Of course that was exposed to the elements 24/7.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

I purchased a 55 gallon stainless steel drum last night.

In Bobby's defense. Earthbound went the 55 gal drum route but opted for SS (which is a great idea BTW). He must not have much confidence in ordinary carbon steel himself. I wouldn't either.

 

[Flomaster]

rusty vessel for my beer, I don't think so...

I applaud your effort and design, but that rust HAS to be making its way into your brew, and that is not some thing the health department would be so keen on. I wouldn't buy a beer from a brewery if I knew they were using rusty equipment.

-=Jason=-

 

[bovineblitz]

Wow... I'm scared for you.

 

[EarthBound]

The boil kettle, the one pictured, is in worse shape than the mash tun but even the masher is starting to show a little rust. I do a pressure rinse before and after each brew - but no cleaners on the boil kettle. Its an interesting thought though.

You'd be surprised how fast 50 gallons goes. We also have a beer co-op of sorts here called Brew Lab - I'm not a member yet but I am moving in that direction.

I do find that I get "style lock" and need to drive more variation into my brewing rotation. Recently I have been separating 10 gallons from the sparge into a different kettle. Mostly the first run for a double variation of a recipe but sometimes a later 10 gallons for a small beer (long days, old age, and hot summers revealed an unexpected down side to 6% beer: naps). I have the fermenting capacity to vary yeasts or use some fruit or dry hop or whatever. Besides I like lagers so 50 gallons ensures that you have some left by the time its really ready. I have a beer library that goes back 8 years.

Obviously I don't exceed California's limit of 200 gallons per year but I have been brewing for a long time and should brew my 200th batch next year.

How much of this beer (meaning the beer brewed in the rusty BK) have you drank? How long have you been drinking this beer? Have other people drank it? Does it taste/seem different than other beer to you? Do you sh!t funny after drinking it?

I'm trying to collect empirical data... like a science experiment!

 

[wyzazz]

How much of this beer (meaning the beer brewed in the rusty BK) have you drank? How long have you been drinking this beer? Have other people drank it? Does it taste/seem different than other beer to you? Do you sh!t funny after drinking it?

I'm trying to collect empirical data... like a science experiment!

I'm sure he'd be willing to send you some beer to try... you know like a science experiment. Heck, I'll even pay for the shipping.

 

[Stevo2569]

You're right. I concede that it's a great idea now that I see the pictures of the still in use rusty barrels and the fact that he is still alive to post. If only all ideas could be measured in terms of whether it kills you in year or not.

Applause! Thats F in hilarious. But So True.
:cross:

 

[bovineblitz]

Yikes.

http://www.irontoxicity.net/consequences-of-iron-toxicity.jsp

Consequences of CHRONIC IRON OVERLOAD

Untreated chronic iron overload causes progressive damage to the liver, heart, and endocrine glands, and may eventually lead to premature death. Furthermore, non-specific early symptoms (such as abdominal discomfort and fatigue) may delay diagnosis until severe damage to heart or liver tissues produces clinically apparent symptoms. Therefore at-risk patients (such as those who have received multiple blood transfusions or who have a family history of iron metabolic disorders) should be screened for iron overload.
How iron deposition affects key tissues

The consequences of iron deposition appear to vary in different body tissues. In the heart or liver, hemosiderotic injury can eventually be fatal. In the skin, advanced hemosiderosis produces a characteristic — but benign — bronze pigmentation.

How iron overload damages tissues
When iron is bound to transferrin, ferritin, or other iron transport and storage proteins, it cannot participate in oxidative reactions, and therefore cannot cause cellular damage (3). In iron overloaded patients, the capacity of these proteins to neutralize the damaging effects of iron is exceeded. Excess iron binds weakly to various other low-molecular-weight proteins in the plasma and cells, and in this form propagates cellular damage by peroxidation of organelles such as mitochondria, lysosomes, and sarcoplastic membranes.

 

[bottlebomber]

Its worth it to have a cheap brew setup... Seriously though dude, this is probably really really bad for you.

 

[mccumath]

Certainly not cheerleading here, but drinking beer is also "bad" for you, depending on who you talk to, which reference you read, etc... Personally, I work in the health care field, and would not use anything close to the set-up that he has going, but whatever floats his boat. Sorry OP, but I would not drink any of your brew either. We have made scientific advancements in materials' safety for reasons.

 

[EarthBound]

You're right. I concede that it's a great idea now that I see the pictures of the still in use rusty barrels and the fact that he is still alive to post. If only all ideas could be measured in terms of whether it kills you in year or not.

Applause! Thats F in hilarious. But So True.
:cross:

I hate to be , but I agree with you, Stevo! Regardless of the pettiness of all his typical sarcasm, I do always find myself laughing at him.

 

[SwampassJ]

Just go buy a STAINLESS STEEL DRUM. Yes they do exist.

 

[Hoodweisen]

I dont really want to join the Rusty Craft Beer Movement nor do i want to join the OMG There is Rust League either just a story of sorts.
When i was a kid on my grandfathers farm we had a spring fed creek that came down the holler behind the barn and my grandpa kept a rusty tin can hanging on a tree limb next to it and when he was thirsty he drank from that thing with that rusty cup never gave it a second thought.

 

[Mongrat]

FAK! Seriously??

 

[The_Dog_42]

Could send it to a lab and have it analyzed for mineral content.

As the Civil Engineering credo goes, "The solution to pollution is dilution."

I know if I had rust in my BK, I'd buy a new one, but I only do 5 gallon batches, so the ratio of surface contact with the rust to the total volume of beer would probably be higher (I did the math and I would have about double the contact). In short, I don't know which side I'd fall on until the data comes back from the lab and tells me if I have significant levels of any minerals.

 

[TIMC]

food grade epoxy resign is sensitive to heat, not a good choice

 

[jfrizzell]

Food grade linings in tin cans also contain BPA. Not sure if this is the same lining, but I guess that doesn't matter anymore since the lining is now gone and rust is the new lining.

If you're looking for a name for your brewery, can I suggest "Rusty Barrel Brewing"?

Wow...

 

[Disintegr8or]

Oh God.

 

[Monster Mash]

and I get freaked out when I see a speck of rust on my stainless pots.....

 

[wrench]

I have to side with many of the others here. If you want to brew in a rusty barrel and drink the resultant beer, be my guest. But if you are serving that beer to others (and thinking of joining a beer co-op?!?!), you should really get that beer tested for mineral content. If you end up in the hospital, it's your own damned fault. But what if someone else does? Would the people getting your beer from the co-op get a photo of the rusty BK and sign a waiver? Yeesh...

 

[mlyday]

At the minimum I would serve each beer on a rare earth magnet coaster.

 

[Swilldog]

Hey guys! You need to lighten up, maybe the OP needs more iron in his diet.

Wow! Just when I think I've seen everything, I see someone brewing beer in rusty barrels. This ranks within my top 5 dumbest things I've heard homebrewers do. I'm surprised your beers aren't exhibiting any metallic off flavors. Consider your self lucky one day it's going bite you in the ass, whether it's a metallic tasting beer or poisoning yourself or others. Sorry guy I wouldn't drink your beer.

If you are interested in 55 gallon stainless steel drums try Bubba's Barrels, Barrels, Kettles, and Brewing Hardware.

The best things in life are not free, VD is free but I don't necessarily want it.

 

[RDWHAHB]

Now I know why I'm not a beer judge or swap beers.

 

[Ridebreck]

They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but damn....

 

[cscade]

Holy crap. Seriously. There's cheap, and then there's just disgusting. Everything about that setup is foul.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

At the minimum I would serve each beer on a rare earth magnet coaster.

lol

 

[jfrizzell]

They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but damn....

Iron Man?

 

[Disintegr8or]

From OP's profile:

Last Activity 10-05-2011

I think he succumbed to tetanus.

 

[bottlebomber]

Lol..