Aluminum Fermentor?
- Thread starter beenhadd
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Well, there is nothing wrong with not having a perfect seal as far as fermenting goes, especially the first stage of fermentation.
But I would not ferment in aluminum due to the acidity and alcohol. Stainless, Glass, Plastic. These are much better options. A fermenting bucket costs like $10 total, with a lid.
But I would not ferment in aluminum due to the acidity and alcohol. Stainless, Glass, Plastic. These are much better options. A fermenting bucket costs like $10 total, with a lid.
augiedoggy
Well-Known Member
Yeah as mentioned the aluminum is dissolving into your beer... This is a touchy topic but a good portion of home brewers wont even use aluminum boil kettles for this reason and that is much less likely to at much aluminum to the beer if any depending on oxidized layers... fermenting in it will certainly give off flavors... This is why aluminum cans are lined.
You will also notice your aluminum fermenter will start turning black from some chemical reaction.
wilserbrewer
BIAB Expert Tailor
I have fermented in kettles quite a bit. You can improve the seal a bit by laying a sheet of plastic over the lid, and securing it around the kettle with a couple tight wraps of string. I would rack out of the kettle sooner rather than later since this could be considered an "open" ferment.
FWIW, I have fermented in an aluminum kettle as well and the pot looks the same afterward and the beer tastes like....well beer. I noticed no downside to this. Aluminum oxide is some damn tough stuff....I guess that's why they use it on sandpaper..... cheers!
FWIW, I have fermented in an aluminum kettle as well and the pot looks the same afterward and the beer tastes like....well beer. I noticed no downside to this. Aluminum oxide is some damn tough stuff....I guess that's why they use it on sandpaper..... cheers!
Bowtiebrewery
Well-Known Member
Gent's look at his user name.... I believe you've been had...
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augiedoggy
Well-Known Member
I noticed this too..
That's funny
Well, the information is still useful to others who may see the title and are curious.
As far as Aluminum Oxide being tough stuff, well lots of stuff is resistant to certain things and not very resistant to others. Even Stainless is susceptible to certain chemicals. I wouldn't use an aluminum fermentor when there are plenty of other better, cheaper alternatives. I have used a Stainless kettle, though. Am currently fermenting an IPA in my 8 gallon kettle with some saran wrap over the top and a lid to keep anything from falling down into it. Worked so good in past attempts that I bought a Stainless Bucket Fermentor.
As far as Aluminum Oxide being tough stuff, well lots of stuff is resistant to certain things and not very resistant to others. Even Stainless is susceptible to certain chemicals. I wouldn't use an aluminum fermentor when there are plenty of other better, cheaper alternatives. I have used a Stainless kettle, though. Am currently fermenting an IPA in my 8 gallon kettle with some saran wrap over the top and a lid to keep anything from falling down into it. Worked so good in past attempts that I bought a Stainless Bucket Fermentor.
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