Fermenter Suggestions

[jeremu]

Hello fellow HBTers I just got this cool 5 gallon "Vodka Infusion Jar" (if you ask me it's a fancy name for a Sun Tea Jug) for $8 at the local thrift store.
I would like to use it as a fermenter ... what do you think?
The only problem is that it doesn't have a top. should I use wood? cork? I'm open to suggestions.
Also what should I use to sanitize it?

 

[jeremu]

NOTE: This jug is made of glass.

 

[jeremu]

Sorry .... this is the right image:

 

[Gildog]

by the looks of it, it is made of glass, if so NICE SCORE . as for the airlock. im sure there is a way to drill a hole in the stopper to put in a blowoff tube or regular airlock. or if you dont have the stopper top you could take a tightknit cloth and rubber band it over the top. it wouldnt be compelely "sanitary" since bactieria could get in. as for sanitizing the container, i use bleach with a double rinse, but then again im cheap. you can use any sanitizer tho.

 

[Gildog]

you could always use it for a bottling bucket if nothing else.

 

[killian]

if that spigot is copper you could run into some off flavors

 

[jeremu]

... if you dont have the stopper top you could take a tightknit cloth and rubber band it over the top. it wouldnt be compelely "sanitary" since bactieria could get in...

I never thought of that ... How does the whole infection thing work? Am I just taking a small risk of infection OR am I pretty much sure to get one if I use the cloth/rubber band method?

What if I dip the cloth in some type of disinfectant?

 

[jeremu]

if that spigot is copper you could run into some off flavors

I'm sure it's brass ... will that still cause off flavors?

 

[Gildog]

that is definitely brass, I know my metals, but then again bronze may also cause interactions with the beer, but since bronze is corosion resistant it should be ok.

 

[jeremu]

So I think I should be ok ... I just need a lid.

Is cork an option or will I risk infection from all the tiny holes?

 

[iron_city_ap]

That's an awesome jug! I'd be worried about exposing the beer to sunlight more than anything with it. It looks so nice, you want it sitting out, but then that could be bad in the long run....

About how big is the opening on the top? Did it come with a glass lid? I think cork might be bad just because over time it would be hard to keep it sterile on the bottom. Depending on the size, you MAY be able to find a rubber stopper that will fit. It could be hard to find, but then again, you can find about anything on the interwebs. Another option could be to find someone to drill a hole into the glass lid. I don't know if its even possible though. Just throwing random suggestions out there.

 

[llazy_llama]

Remove the top altogether and just place a piece of tinfoil, lightly crimped down, over the opening. There's a handful of brewers around here (mostly with backgrounds in the science community) who do this for every brew. I've done it several times (usually when I was too lazy to clean/sanitize an airlock. I am, after all, the llaziest of llamas) without incident.

I can't speak for that spigot though, and blowoff is going to be a serious issue unless you're doing < 3 gallon batches.

 

[jeremu]

... About how big is the opening on the top? Did it come with a glass lid? ... you MAY be able to find a rubber stopper that will fit...

The opening is 4.5". I have a hardware store really close to my work I'll check there for lunch.

Remove the top altogether and just place a piece of tinfoil, lightly crimped down, over the opening.... I can't speak for that spigot though, and blowoff is going to be a serious issue unless you're doing < 3 gallon batches...

Tin foil sound awesome! I can totally do a < 3 gallon batch. Might be better or my first run anyway.
So foil = no airlock?
I'm gonna do a search this this method. This is by far the most accommodating, least expensive and least risk of infection that's been posted. I would feel very comfortable doing this until I find a real lid.

 

[jeremu]

I was playing with this idea ...
My wife has these canisters that she doesn't really use and if perhaps I were to take one of the lids and drill a hole for the airlock and put a brick on top for a better seal would that work ... I know there is the risk of my wife beating me with the rolling pin, but will the beer survive? Is wood ok for the fermentor lid?

 

[iron_city_ap]

Like with the cork idea, I'd be worried about the wooden lids being more porace and subject to collecting all kinds of nasties in the little nooks and crannies in it. You can wash them, and bleach them, etc... but that will eventually lead to warping. If you can find rubber or plastic lids, or just go with foil (as suggested earlier), I think you would be better off.

 

[HSM]

Remove the top altogether and just place a piece of tinfoil, lightly crimped down, over the opening. There's a handful of brewers around here (mostly with backgrounds in the science community) who do this for every brew. I've done it several times (usually when I was too lazy to clean/sanitize an airlock. I am, after all, the llaziest of llamas) without incident.

I can't speak for that spigot though, and blowoff is going to be a serious issue unless you're doing < 3 gallon batches.

^^^^^
Best advise you've gotten so far.

My Grandma fermented her elderberry wine in an open crock and made some tasty wine.

Foil is all you need for a primary, the CO2 will keep things moving the right direction.

 

[jeremu]

Like with the cork idea, I'd be worried about the wooden lids being more porace and subject to collecting all kinds of nasties in the little nooks and crannies in it. You can wash them, and bleach them, etc... but that will eventually lead to warping. If you can find rubber or plastic lids, or just go with foil (as suggested earlier), I think you would be better off.

Good point and it would also save me from the nag session from the wife when she finds out!

 

[llazy_llama]

Yeah, I wouldn't use the wood lid either. The tin foil thing works like gangbusters, speaking from personal experience.

Alternatively, you can scoop up a rubber bung from most any LHBS or online store, and most of them come pre-drilled to accomidate an airlock. But meh, tinfoil is cheaper/easier/already in my house.

 

[jeremu]

^^^^^
Best advise you've gotten so far.

My Grandma fermented her elderberry wine in an open crock and made some tasty wine.

Foil is all you need for a primary, the CO2 will keep things moving the right direction.

Once I get my hydrominder I'm brewing some beer with the tin foil on the fermenter! Thank you all SOOOO much! You don't know how great of a help you have all been to me!