Brewing / Fermenting in a stock pot

[petemoss]

Hey gang,

I have lately been doing 9 - 10 gallon batches of BIAB. I have thought about doing some 1 gallon test batches. I don't really have the small fermenters needed for that though. However, I do have about 4 of the small (about 2 gallon) stainless stock pots in the kitchen.

I was wondering about the feasibility of using one of those to do a BIAB small batch on the stove. Then I could cool the pot, pitch the yeast and just set the pot aside with the lid on to ferment. I kind of figured that built up pressure would just burp the lid and that maybe there would be no good way for bad stuff to get in.

What do y'all think about this? Silly idea?

 

[bucketnative]

Keep an eye out on trash/recycling night for gallon jug'o'wine bottles. Where I live, Riunite wine is de rigueur at large family dinners.

Your idea doesn't sound ridiculous for one-gallon batches. I'd try it, if I could guarantee that no one would disturb the pot.

 

[wilserbrewer]

What do y'all think about this? Silly idea?

Not silly, I have been kettle fermenting for a few years and haven't had a problem. In addition to the lid, I also seal the kettle with a sheet of plastic secured over the lid and wrapped tightly with a piece of string a couple times around the top of the kettle.

It is a good idea to get a healthy ferment, and package the beer in a timely manner when "open" fermenting. Also, keep the fermenter shut! Don't be opening it every day mucking about in your beer!!!

 

[C-Rider]

HD sells 2 gal plastic buckets and covers.

 

[RM-MN]

Not silly, I have been kettle fermenting for a few years and haven't had a problem. In addition to the lid, I also seal the kettle with a sheet of plastic secured over the lid and wrapped tightly with a piece of string a couple times around the top of the kettle.

It is a good idea to get a healthy ferment, and package the beer in a timely manner when "open" fermenting. Also, keep the fermenter shut! Don't be opening it every day mucking about in your beer!!!

Why not under the lid? If you use clear plastic you could open the lid to see how the ferment is progressing.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Why not under the lid? If you use clear plastic you could open the lid to see how the ferment is progressing.

I find it easier to place the plastic over the lid as the lid extends into the kettle a bit.

I sanitize the lid, and use a clean piece of opaque plastic sheet. As far as being able to view fermentation, I usually seal it up at high kreusen, so during the initial stages I'll just crack the lid if I'm curious.

 

[petemoss]

Great info. Thanks guys. I'm going to have to give it a try. I'll keep my eye out for some of the other vessels that y'all mentioned as well.

 

[Jim311]

I once fermented in a bucket with a trash bag taped around the top of it. Worked fine, tasted great. Don't wait too long after it quits fermenting to keg/bottle it tho!

 

[Aristotelian]

Keep an eye out on trash/recycling night for gallon jug'o'wine bottles. Where I live, Riunite wine is de rigueur at large family dinners.

Your idea doesn't sound ridiculous for one-gallon batches. I'd try it, if I could guarantee that no one would disturb the pot.

I thought I was the only person frugal enough to take old bottles from neighbors trash. Glad to see I am not alone.

 

[numberspace]

Do you guys ever have problems with the CO2 busting the lid off? Or just keep it loose until 4 or so days into fermentation (for anow ale) and then seal it with plastic?