Fermenting in a 1000L IBC tank? (HDPE)

[The Brewing Dutchman]

I brew in 500 liters. We currently have 4x 500L fermenters from speidel. We're really pushing our capacity and tomorrow we're planning 5x 500L brews, in a 1000L hdpe tank. is there anything i have to look out for? We can move the tank in a cooled room with a forklift. it's a lager so we'll try to get as close as possible to 8*C I'll post something on my youtube channel if all goes well.

 

[IslandLizard]

I would ask on a pro forum. This is far beyond homebrewing.

As always, cleanliness and sanitation of everything that touches your chilled wort and beer is of high importance as is ferm temp control. Plastic can be finicky to clean. Got to beware of possible moulding imperfections (small holes, bubbles, seams) as well as scratches, threads, ports, lid closure, etc.

I hope you're not planning to move a full 10 hl (plastic) vessel with a forklift? That's beyond bravery in my book.

 

[hottpeper13]

Are you using one of those square containers with the aluminium frame? I know those have stratification in the corners. Also if you pitch the first 500l with yeast you should pitch the second ASAP < 24 hrs. and make sure it is very well mixed,having both at the same temp is preferred.

 

[Homergah]

I can't imagine being able to keep that volume of fermenting beer properly cooled without some type of immersion chilling or glycol jacket. We had a local brewer that was convinced he could chill his plastic fermentors by circulating sub-freezing air around them. He fought with that system for years, producing bad beer after bad beer. His product was awful. He finally went out of business.
So, temperature control would be my biggest worry.