Been doing this for a couple years now. I've discovered that it takes an hour longer to brew 25 gallons of beer vs 5 gallons of beer. Obvious equipment scaling. This is an all grain, natural gas brew garage. 26 gallon kettle, twin 15 gallon mash tuns...
My fermenters were always based on what I could actually lift. Largest one was 35 liters (9 gallons) Trying to move that was also a strain on the 50 year old back. Favorite is still the 7 gallon fermonster. I have an Anvil, and something else stainless from China as well.
Started looking at larger fermenters. Something obviously too large to move under human power. Ended up not going with the marketed solutions and purchased a couple food grade 30 gallon open top poly drums.
Here in the central valley in CA, the agriculture industry is awash in containers like this. I bought 2 @ $15 a piece. I don't need 2, but couldn't help myself at $15 a pop.
A couple minutes with a Step Drill bit, and I have a solid fermenter.
It's gas tight at these slight pressures based on the airlock activity.
Pro:
Huge
Cheap
Easy access
Gas tight
Con:
Previously contained pickled Jalapeno peppers. The odor takes a bit to dissipate.
Too heavy to move. Where they sit is where they sit. I have it elevated (filled from the brew kettle with 5 gallon buckets) so that it will eventually gravity drain into kegs. The piano dolly helps to move it around.
I guess the end message is not to limit yourself with the commercial offerings. Plenty of stuff out there that will do the job.
My fermenters were always based on what I could actually lift. Largest one was 35 liters (9 gallons) Trying to move that was also a strain on the 50 year old back. Favorite is still the 7 gallon fermonster. I have an Anvil, and something else stainless from China as well.
Started looking at larger fermenters. Something obviously too large to move under human power. Ended up not going with the marketed solutions and purchased a couple food grade 30 gallon open top poly drums.
Here in the central valley in CA, the agriculture industry is awash in containers like this. I bought 2 @ $15 a piece. I don't need 2, but couldn't help myself at $15 a pop.
A couple minutes with a Step Drill bit, and I have a solid fermenter.
It's gas tight at these slight pressures based on the airlock activity.
Pro:
Huge
Cheap
Easy access
Gas tight
Con:
Previously contained pickled Jalapeno peppers. The odor takes a bit to dissipate.
Too heavy to move. Where they sit is where they sit. I have it elevated (filled from the brew kettle with 5 gallon buckets) so that it will eventually gravity drain into kegs. The piano dolly helps to move it around.
I guess the end message is not to limit yourself with the commercial offerings. Plenty of stuff out there that will do the job.
