Bigger fermenter

[J_grover23]

I am going to start making bigger batches. And am going to fill a 1/2 barrel keg. What can I use for fermenters that are that big. So I don't have to split the process and mix it again in the keg. Any advise?

 

[Zebulon]

You could actually use additional Sanke kegs as fermenters if you put a special valve on top. One of the sponsored vendors here has it, brewershardware.com.

 

[Mainer28]

Buy a food grade water barrel online. Drill a hole in the top and tightly fit in a rubber airlock.

I just brewed 24 gallons of summer ale and it was fantastic. I got 5 kegs out of it, enough for the summer!!!!!

 

[Ravenshead]

Mainer28,

How are you kepping that fermetor cool?

 

[BrewForMe]

i have read some posts about plastic conical infusion tanks used by farmers for mixing chemicals. I think they can be had in a variety of sizes and are an easy diy and very inexpensive to boot. Check agrisupply and search forums, you will find them.

 

[Double_D]

I like these http://www.petco.com/product/5867/Gamma-Vittles-Vault.aspx. I have two. They each hold 13 gallons so there's plenty of space for top cropping yeast.

 

[J_grover23]

The water barrels sound perfect! With the bigger fermenters. Do you guys attach spigots or are you syphoning it out?

 

[Mainer28]

The summer ale was brewed when outside temps were mid 60s in the days and low 50's at night. The temp inside the fermenter never got over 68 with an AC running on the hotter days.

It would probably be tough to keep cool if you live in a hot state. The problem is that the fermenter can't move because its over 160lbs when full. We had 3 guys lift it to a table and siphoned it into kegs.

Worked really well if you have the right set-up.

 

[Ravenshead]

Heh, we don't really get a long stretch of those temps even in February. I guess I won't be going that route.