60L fermentation keg?

[baobeiiiii]

hi,

is it possible to use this for beer fermentation?

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/910vRCu%2BozL._SL1500_.jpg

It's 60L, food grade polyethylene plastic and has airtight lid. Basically I was going to get two 25L plastic containers instead, but I think getting this could save me money because i want to put an immersion heater in it, and with this i only need to buy one heater. Also there's one less container to clean out, one less airlock etc etc. I actually drink about 96 pints a month which is what this can hold.

Any possible downsides? Also i need to work out how to put an airtight airlock on it and feed a heater into it. Any suggestions most appreciated.

EDIT: Would it also be possible to convert one of these into one of those things that you put the beer in after fermenting for it to get CO2? I'm good at DIY but i'm new to brewing my own beer.

 

[flars]

What is the immersion heater for?

 

[seabrew8]

I was looking for one of them for a while. Yeah you can brew beer in that. I done its once, 30 - 12 packs, bigger then your barrel, 120L.

I didn't even have an air lock on it - cover but there was a big opening.. I think i waited 10 days or something before i bottled. Can't remember i was like 18 years old!!

 

[baobeiiiii]

What is the immersion heater for?

So that the fermentation process occurs at the right temp. It's winter where I am btw.

 

[baobeiiiii]

Seems from the shop associated with this forum can get this for bout 8quid:

Can actually get 3 of those for the price of the 60L vessel in the OP. But are these cheapo fermentation vessels good, and AIRTIGHT ? Still means buying 2x heater rather than just 1.

 

[Smellyglove]

Yes you can ferment in it. People where I come from do it. It's made from HDPE, like you stated.

Why not using a 10m heating belt from ebay insted of the immersion heater?

 

[baobeiiiii]

hmm but with a belt isn't it hard to keep constant temp? The room it's in would have daily temp swings.

 

[seabrew8]

hmm but with a belt isn't it hard to keep constant temp? The room it's in would have daily temp swings.

If its only a few degrees i wouldn't worry about it. I like to keep ales around 16-20C when fermenting for the first 2-5 days. I don't have temp. control but my basement is really stable. This time of year its around 16C. Reasonable temp. control is important but not like the "experts" will tell you. They say its one of the most important factors.

My opinion?

All grain beer is miles ahead of extract. No matter what you control.

 

[madscientist451]

EDIT: Would it also be possible to convert one of these into one of those things that you put the beer in after fermenting for it to get CO2? I'm good at DIY but i'm new to brewing my own beer.

Sure, you could use it as a fermenter. To use as a serving/carbonating keg, you'd have to rig up a dip tube and fittings for Co2 in and Beer out lines and attach and a pressure relief valve. Those blue barrels are designed to hold some pressure, but I don't know how much.
Here's a video of testing a 55 gallon plastic barrel that ruptured at 65 PSI.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjrR_SX4aBg[/ame]

I think you're better off with stainless steel kegs or bottling your beer.

 

[RM-MN]

You'll have enough beer in that barrel that the temperature swings of the air will be greatly damped. Using an automatic controller and a brew belt should keep the beer temp pretty stable. A degree or 2 swing won't be disastrous for the fermentation, just don't let it get too warm during the first 3 to 5 days as that is when higher temps will create off flavors.

Use a keg that is designed for serving your beer. The last thing you want is to pressurize that barrel and half way through a party the lid blow off.

 

[baobeiiiii]

That video is quite terrifying! If i get the right vessel can't i just brew and pressurize in the same thing? If the tap is above the bottom the sediment would be bellow it anyway?

A fish tank heater just seems easier... set it and forget it.

That explosion... i guess a c02 injection valve would have safety blowout in it, but damn...

 

[RM-MN]

That video is quite terrifying! If i get the right vessel can't i just brew and pressurize in the same thing? If the tap is above the bottom the sediment would be bellow it anyway?

A fish tank heater just seems easier... set it and forget it.

That explosion... i guess a c02 injection valve would have safety blowout in it, but damn...

Yes you can brew in the pressure vessel if you use the proper vessel. However, it is not that difficult to siphon from a proper fermentiing vessel to a proper pressurizing vessel. That way you can leave the majority of the trub behind so that you lose less than a pint on the first pour due to the settled yeast and then it should pour clear. If you ferment in the pressure vessel you are likely to lose a lot more finished beer.