Blue drum as fermenter

[TheCarnie]

I was wondering if anyone had used anything similar to this for a fermenter. I wanna start doing some 10 gallon batches and this looks like a pretty cheap alternative than diving into a conical if i can use it. http://www.bayteccontainers.com/15gal.html

 

[cascadia]

I have used these drums with success. Usually fermented 11 gallons at a time. The small port has a plastic spigot with a dip tube inside that reaches to about 1" off the bottom. The larger bung has a tapped hole for a 1/4" flare fitting to attach the gas line. The only drawback I have found is cleaning-it can be difficult to completely drain.

 

[RushN24]

Are those food grade plastic?

 

[AnthonyD]

According to the website the are FDA food-grade

 

[cascadia]

Looking more closely at the website it says they may have contained soda syrup. I would be weary-no matter how much you clean them there will always be the smell of root beer or purple. I have seen other sites that sell those containers new.

I got mine from the homebrew shop, they previously contained breiss malt extract.

 

[TheCarnie]

awesome, i really appreciate the help. I'll be picking up a couple of these shortly.

 

[dragon99]

Buy em here for the same price brand new.
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23849&catid=459

Now if I can find somewhere to buy the dip tube and spigot I might try this.

 

[dragon99]

Buy em here for the same price brand new.
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23849&catid=459

Now if I can find somewhere to buy the dip tube and spigot I might try this.

Answered my own question maybe:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=24728&catid=543

 

[wildwest450]

You don't want them if they've had soda syrup in them. The only batch i've dumped is from one that had Dr. Pepper syrup in it. Impossible to clean.

 

[Munsoned]

I have some 5g ones from us plastics. I use them for secondary/lagering. They work pretty good. A little oxyclean does the job cleaning. Let it sit for 24 hours, then turn the drum upside down, and let it sit another 24 hours.

I have not tried to do a primary ferment in one, but I don't see why not...

 

[cascadia]

Dragon99, I just set up a new method using a nylon barbed elbow from lowes. It threads perfectly into the smaller opening. A piece of 1/2"ID high temp silicone hose conveniently fits into the backside, it's just tight enough to hold there with friction.

During fermentation I keep a stopper in airlock in the hole, at racking time simply remove the stopper and insert the barb/dip tube assembly, connect the gas and rack.

Barbed elbow during transfer

Gas fitting, 1/4" mfl tapped into plastic lid

 

[HABIT]

Gas fitting, 1/4" mfl tapped into plastic lid

Thats MY kitchen chair . . .

Why not scounge up a couple of these . . . Bigger is always better.

[/IMG]

 

[dragon99]

Dragon99, I just set up a new method using a nylon barbed elbow from lowes. It threads perfectly into the smaller opening. A piece of 1/2"ID high temp silicone hose conveniently fits into the backside, it's just tight enough to hold there with friction.

During fermentation I keep a stopper in airlock in the hole, at racking time simply remove the stopper and insert the barb/dip tube assembly, connect the gas and rack.

What are you using for the dip tube? Would a racking cane fit into the barbed elbow?

 

[cascadia]

I don't think a racking cane will work. I use high temp silicone hose, 1/2"ID 3/4"OD. I get a picture of it later and post it.

 

[dragon99]

Gotcha, I thought you were referring to the barbed output going to a silicone hose. Your saying that the hose is actually inside the fermenter. That would actually be nice because its easy to cut to length. Thanks!

 

[cascadia]

You got it. The hose is about 2' long or so-about 2" inches off the bottom to avoid the trub.

 

[zanemoseley]

What I wanna know is what the hell purple smells like cascadia lol. Maybe you gotta indulge in some of Seattle's finest before you can get a whiff.

 

[cascadia]

I was wondering if anyone was going to catch that.