Look for a used Anvil fermenter. Nice upgrade from buckets and is not too expensive, even new.
Getting old sucks
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I started with a bucket and still have one. I haven’t used it in a bit, but considering putting it back in the lineup.
I am pretty frugal and decided to go with a Fermzilla all rounder a while back. I got the pressure fermentation kit about 6-8 months ago and at that time I think it was about $160 US for the whole set up. I have since added the thermowell and cooling coil. I don’t really pressure ferment, but it gives the ability to do closed transfers which was a primary reason I went with it and I also like that I can see what’s going on. It’s pretty cool peeking in on the yeast at work.
Overall it’s a nice upgrade from the buckets and at a reasonable cost. Not that buckets can’t make equally as good beer.
I am pretty frugal and decided to go with a Fermzilla all rounder a while back. I got the pressure fermentation kit about 6-8 months ago and at that time I think it was about $160 US for the whole set up. I have since added the thermowell and cooling coil. I don’t really pressure ferment, but it gives the ability to do closed transfers which was a primary reason I went with it and I also like that I can see what’s going on. It’s pretty cool peeking in on the yeast at work.
Overall it’s a nice upgrade from the buckets and at a reasonable cost. Not that buckets can’t make equally as good beer.
I started in 1992 with plastic buckets. Around 2001 my wife bought me a 12 gallon stainless conical from Morebeer. But I kept using the original buckets as fermenters for another 15 years when I had multiple batches going. Never once did I have an infected batch. Fears about plastic buckets are overblown.
An Ankoù
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I went the stainless steel fermenters route and have gone back to plastic buckets for the simple reason that its easier to see the level of beer through the plastic. I like to brew a couple of litres short and then liquor back with mineral water to hit my target OG. I don't care if the volume is off a bit. I found that to be quite cumbersome with the SS fermenters.
I think it's only the homebrew shops who claim that plastic is hard to clean. I've had buckets going for over 10 years and my beer doesn't go off. In some respects, they're easier to keep clean.
I think it's only the homebrew shops who claim that plastic is hard to clean. I've had buckets going for over 10 years and my beer doesn't go off. In some respects, they're easier to keep clean.
Homebrewing: the most expensive way to get cheap beer.There are many threads on this site about the cost of homebrewing compared to store-bought beer.... What they reveal is that homebrewing, while a hobby for some, is a necessity for those with the lowest income that want 'good beer' in their life. Thusly we have a very diverse membership on this site ranging from brewers who make due with the least and a lot of DIY and those who can simply buy ready-made gear.....we all can make good beer. I tend to advocate for the least costly and DIY without comprimise on function becuase I'm on the lower-income side. That said: I've watched since you signed up on here and you've worked through every aspect of the brewing process and always make sensible choices...probably in some large part owing to the practical and grounding influence of your very sensible and supportive sounding wife. While many of us are content to make due with low-cost bits, the gearlust at the gearporn we regularly see on here is not just compelling to spend a lot, but we know that well designed and built Stainless and triclamp gear has all the versatility and options we otherwise jury-rig together with NPT fittings and plastics, but at a higher cash price plus it will not only last our own lifetimes, but our grandchildren can will it to their grandchildren. Anyway; In my opinion you've earned the right right to Bling, but at a troublesome time; Current global events dictate that all these excellent Stainless Steel bits, including ALL the Triclamp fittings are about to skyrocket in price. I'd suggest discussing this with your wife as you either buy it now and don't go minimal but consider all the fittings, dry-hopper bits, valves and whatnot so you can get at least most of what you need before the prices double or triple. "Buy Once, Cry Once" works at every income level. This is a good time to plan for the long term.
I have used a ss 15.5 gallon beer keg for my fermenter. Center tap removed removed and used a rubber plumbing cap to seal with a hole for a blow off tube. Works great but a little difficult to clean, then moved up to a 14 gallon cone bottom ss fermenter. Easy to clean and fits into my fermenting chamber.
Opinion #37. It's probably ok but as noted above the scratches in the plastic bucket over time can make sanitizing difficult. I say stainless is well worth the upgrade. Buy once, cry once, then enjoy it for life. With cost being an issue, a stainless steel bucket fermenter would be a really good and affordable upgrade. An anvil or similar would do nicely. Super easy to clean and sanitize.
It's interesting reading the different options our fellow homebrewers employ to enjoy this hobby. I see a few here are old like myself. We, older brewers, started out long before the availability of SS conicals and the many plastic options. I used 5 gal buckets, glass carboys, kegmenters for the first 20 years or so. Now I primarily ferment in Fermzillas. I also use a CF5 for lagers and pilsners but for ales I use a Fermzilla G2 and my favorite is a Fermzilla G3.2. Fermzillas are clear plastic that is easy to clean and light weight. Lifting a fermenter full of wort is more difficult the older I get. Of course with lagers and pilsners they are fermented inside a dedicated fridge. But I can place the fermzillas up on a counter full of wort by myself. If Fermzilla's yeast catch was as clean and easy to operate as a SS conical they would be the ideal fermenters. I always ferment under pressure and do closed system transfers. IMO Conicals, either SS or plastic are by far the best fermenters.
Stainless Steel baby! Can't go wrong but expensive. It's not the fancy shiny steel bragging thing, it's just easier to clean, long lasting investment that suits my needs. To each their own, I used buckets for a long time too.
Imhoppy
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On this thread topic " Getting Old Sucks", the first thought coming to mind was this quote by George Bernard Shaw: 'Youth is wasted on the young.'
But after reading the thread, it appeared to go in another direction. Then that made me think of how old I really am. Lol
But after reading the thread, it appeared to go in another direction. Then that made me think of how old I really am. Lol
InspectorJon
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There are also other references to using bleach in this thread. Don’t use undiluted bleach, it is not as effective as properly diluted product. It does not penetrate cell walls as easily. There are a lot of varieties of household bleach (Clorox). Some aren’t appropriate for disinfectant purposes. For best functionality use regular unscented household bleach diluted according to the instructions on the label. As has already been said, bleach is generally not recommended to use on stainless steel.
https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/cleaning-and-disinfecting-with-bleach.html
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...and the 10 of us lived in a hole in rubbish heap, get up every morning half an hour 'fore going to bed, work 27 hour a day down to the mill, Da would stab us with a butter knife and dance around our graves shouting hallelujah.
Try to tell the kids these days and they don't believe ya.
Snuffy
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I started out with carboys making wine. When I switched to brewing beer, I had to reluctantly ditch the carboys. Not enough head space, a PitA to clean, dangerous to move and siphoning sucks. I did love gazing into the mysterious and strangely violent world of yeast tho. My first brew bucket with a valve on it was game changing. Bottling direct from the fermenter valve with fizz drops was as close as I could get to oxygen avoidance and got me thru until I figured out kegs. I figure the buckets would be good for serving hunch punch or Sangria or tea if you had a big party, but I've never tried it.
I still like my buckets. They are easier to move with the handle, but the clear fermenters are kinda cool but, as the title says, getting old and moving 5 gallons without some sort of handle becomes a challenge. Yes, getting old sucks. LOL
Curious if you do 5 gallon batches in it. I am wondering about if too much head space is an issue. I had started to rig up a 15 gallon keg but generally do 6 gallons or less into the fermenter. Was thinking I would just use the top as a drain and solder in a 4" tri-clover on the smooth bottom of the keg.. using that as the top. Shipping an Anvil 7.5 bucket to where I live is $215, more than its cost. (From Morebeer.. might find somewhere else with cheaper shipping.) Pic is how I started rigging the keg, but would instead use that port for a drain.
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I always brew 10 gallons, my reasoning is that, you have to clean everything for 5 gallons so I have the capacity for 10 gallons, still cleaning the same amount. Don’t know if headspace would be a problem. All my equipment is geared towards 10 gallon brews , 8 keg kegerator, 20 gallon boil pot 20 gallon mash tun etc.
You had hands? We used to dream of having hands!
I got a couple of those Speidel fermenters. 2 x 5 gallon and 1 x 3 gallon. I am liking these alot. Before this I was using glass carboys, 3 and 5 gallon. I have one 7.5 gallon (I think) Fermonster that works for 5 gallon batches. Fermonsters are great but a little thinner than the Speidels. They both have valves.
madscientist451
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I really like my Speidel fermenters which are plastic, but work great for me. I got them used and replaced the plastic spigots with the SS ones.
I did a quick search of them. They look nice and are a good transition from buckets to something different. Gonna put them on my list to look for used and see what I can find.
There are a number of upgrades and add ons you can get for Speidels. Stainless faucets were mentioned. I bought a second faucet assembly for the top and there are videos out there showing how you can do closed transfers with these. Theres a dip tube that can be added for racking from above the yeast bed. They make lids with ball lock fittings. Lots of good stuff.
madscientist451
Well-Known Member
I made a low tech co2 connection for mine for closed transfers, works great and it’s easier than siphoning from a carboy.
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