Fermenting in metals containers?

[chungking]

Is this an option? Or will it produce off flavors from the metal?

I only ask because of the heated arguments on the starsan thread and I thought, maybe if you used a metal fermenter you could clean, rinse, and then bake the pot/bucket. But I'm sure there is a logical explanation as to why people dont use metal buckets to ferment.

I realize most buckets won't fit in an oven, so don't hate! Just asking....

 

[Obliviousbrew]

Stainless steel it´s expensive but a better option, people ferment in plastic buckets or glass carboys because they are cheaper than a stainless steel conicals (a lot cheaper). Don´t know about another metals

 

[xmacro]

Nope, metal is quite desireable as a fermenter. Someday I'd like to get one of these: http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/blichmann-fermenator-conical-fermentor-tri-clamp-fittings.html

 

[Matt3989]

I've always wondered how people temp control one of those conicals? A walk in refrigerator?

 

[Obliviousbrew]

I've always wondered how people temp control one of those conicals? A walk in refrigerator?

I know some people that have put one in a fridge but that´s the main reason I haven´t got one yet. Of course the big ones with jacket are different but I don´t make that much beer for one of those.

 

[Curtis2010]

A conical stainless steel temperature regulated fermentation vessel (preferably a really big one) would be the ultimate home brew fermentor, but way spendy.

I primarily use corny kegs as my fermentation vessels. Radically cheaper than the option above.

 

[chungking]

So why hasn't someone invented a stainless steel bucket that fits in a oven and a lid that can seal it up (and a hole for air lock)? Just kidding. I guess kegging is the next logical step. Do korny kegs fit in the oven? Haha

 

[Yesfan]

Adventures in Home Brewing have corny lids that have the MPRV holes drilled out to accept airlocks. (link)

 

[Gabba]

Plastic mart has some nice prices on plastic conical fermenters: http://www.plastic-mart.com/category/19/cone-bottom-tanks

Seems all you gotta do is drill out the lid, stick in a grommet and airlock and you're good to go

 

[Golddiggie]

I've converted sanke kegs into fermenters. Also, the basement where I live now is great for fermenting my UK styles. The unfinished side is cooler than the finished side (temperatures) so I can pick which to use for a batch/fermentation.

IF I was to brew a lager, I'd need a way to do tighter/more temperature control. Luckily, no lagers are planned for more than a while, or at least a couple/few years. I have other, more important, things to get/make.

 

[metasyntactic]

Plastic mart has some nice prices on plastic conical fermenters: http://www.plastic-mart.com/category/19/cone-bottom-tanks

Seems all you gotta do is drill out the lid, stick in a grommet and airlock and you're good to go

I'm not sure how you're intended to use the >15 gallon ones that don't have a stand available.

 

[Gabba]

I'm not sure how you're intended to use the >15 gallon ones that don't have a stand available.

Shouldn't be too difficult to rig something up. Take a trip to Lowes or HD, nail some boards together, and you're set

 

[ReverseApacheMaster]

I don't know why you would spend that much on those conicals for less than 15 gallons. There are plastic 6-8 gallon conicals with stands you can buy from HBS.

 

[Gabba]

I don't know why you would spend that much on those conicals for less than 15 gallons. There are plastic 6-8 gallon conicals with stands you can buy from HBS.

Like I said; why spend $200-$400 on a brew website for a plastic conical when you can get a plastic conical for less than $100 from a non-specialty website like plastic mart.

It's a total ripoff

HBS: http://www.homebrewstuff.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=conical

Plastic Mart: http://www.plastic-mart.com/category/19/cone-bottom-tanks

 

[metasyntactic]

Like I said; why spend $200-$400 on a brew website for a plastic conical when you can get a plastic conical for less than $100 from a non-specialty website like plastic mart.

It's a total ripoff

Plastic Mart's are translucent. Could that be an issue?

 

[Golddiggie]

Plastic Mart's are translucent. Could that be an issue?

Depending on where you ferment, it could be a huge issue.

 

[Matt3989]

Depending on where you ferment, it could be a huge issue.

That could be fixed with a bit of paint on the outside, or a blanket.

 

[Golddiggie]

That could be fixed with a bit of paint on the outside, or a blanket.

I do know that light (and air) cannot pass through stainless steel. So, it's a non-issue if you ferment in that (which I do). I also don't need to worry about the inside getting scratched. Something that you need to be very aware of with plastic fermenters.

 

[Matt3989]

I do know that light (and air) cannot pass through stainless steel. So, it's a non-issue if you ferment in that (which I do). I also don't need to worry about the inside getting scratched. Something that you need to be very aware of with plastic fermenters.

Regardless of what you ferment in, i was only trying to give a constructive solution to the issue that metasyntatic brought up. I'm pretty sure that all of us can agree that SS makes a better conical than plastic.

 

[Golddiggie]

Regardless of what you ferment in, i was only trying to give a constructive solution to the issue that metasyntatic brought up. I'm pretty sure that all of us can agree that SS makes a better conical than plastic.

I'm also just saying that you don't need to go with a conical if you want to ferment in stainless. There are far less expensive, but just as good, stainless options available. My 7.75 gallon sanke fermenters cost a fraction of what a ~7 gallon stainless conical runs. Even with getting the welding done by someone else. Moving forward, I'm going to try my own hand at silver soldering. Mostly because it's an option to me now (it wasn't before). Just need to get my gear to my new place.