Advice on sanke fermenter build please

[OpenSights]

I recently was given an old keg, and I thought about making a fermenter for 10+ gallon batches. A friend of mine on another type of forum posted this picture. I stopped by my LHBS yesterday and they’re looking into ordering what I need to do this project.

I plan on weldless fittings. Any thoughts or advice on a fermenter build like this? Placement of the spout, cleaning the yeast cake?

TIA

 

[jimmayhugh]

I recently was given an old keg, and I thought about making a fermenter for 10+ gallon batches. A friend of mine on another type of forum posted this picture. I stopped by my LHBS yesterday and they’re looking into ordering what I need to do this project.

I plan on weldless fittings. Any thoughts or advice on a fermenter build like this? Placement of the spout, cleaning the yeast cake?

TIA

View attachment 564419

Unless you're planning on adding a 4" tri-clamp opening on the top of the sanke in place of the current 2" opening, placing weldless fittings near the bottom of the keg is going to be quite a challenge.

I have three sanke kegs that I use for fermenting; one standard keg and two Beverage Factory Brite Tanks.

When I was using the standard sanke, I used Jaybird's Sanke Fermenter Kit, and was very happy with the result.

With the Brite tanks, I use a Clear Beer Draft System with the optional filter screen to keep my output off of the yeast cake. I also ferment under pressure using a spunding valve. I have been very happy with the results.

 

[BLL]

jimmayhugh has an excellent point about the top port and clamp.

Weldless fittings work fine on hot side equipment, but fermenting on weldless fittings is asking for problems. If you're dead set on modifiying a sanke to have fittings I'd take it to a welding shop and ask them what it would cost to do it for you. You're going to have to for that top port so might as well just go ahead and have them add a couple more.

On the other hand there are products like Jaybirds Sanke Fermenter Kit which I use and highly recommend as well. You'll spend a lot less and get practically the same thing.

 

[OpenSights]

Things I didn’t consider yet. Thanks!

I have an old friend who’s a machinist and I have already talked with him about building a cider press this summer. I’ll have to ask him if he has the ability to weld stainless at home, I’m sure he does. If not the Jaybird kit sounds like a winner!