I've been hearing a lot about the harmful effects micro-plastics have on living beings and it is easy to throw up the hands and just say it's unavoidable at this point. But I just read this scientific paper on it and I thought maybe it would be good to at least try to minimize exposure (for myself and those I serve beer to, but you do you.. I'm not preaching). Currently I'm using a plastic Speidel fermenter (which seems to retain last brew aromas) and have used the glass carboys in the past - which with my rough and rowdy ways kind of scare me now. This is the paper, btw: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016041202400326X , which does mention beer in its graph of avenues. Some brew master with a lot of followers I saw somewhere said he could tell by taste when a beer was brewed in a PET fermenter. True or not, seems possible given the talents of some humans.
I started rigging a 15 gallon keg into a fermenter thinking of 10 gallon batches, but gave it up as I usually only do 5 gallon batches. Not sure I really want to go 3 gallons with my corny kegs, but could give it a try. Currently I'm doing BIAB after moving from 3 kettle brewing (for more simplicity and some time saving). My mash tun was a plastic cooler in that 3 kettle system, and had to use RIMS to keep mash temps. One problem with the 15 gal. keg was how to clean it easily.. with no welding skills or local sanitary welders around here to put in a 4" tri-clover fitting.. but recently found this: https://moonshinestillproject.com/product/convert-a-keg/ as an easy way to put one in. I've also soldered kegs so could try a solder joint on a standard ferrule. I do electric brewing.. have 240v heating elements in things. Anyway..
Started researching stainless fermenters and they are a bit pricey for the amount of beer I brew.. I'm getting old so drinking less.. but I could afford one. Looked at Brewtools MiniUni.. others.. Would be nice to have ports for temp probe.. I use a terrarium heater jacket to keep warm (brew in cold basement) but don't currently have a good system for cold crashing. Maybe ports for Co2 pressure transfer, etc. I haven't really considered pressure fermenting but might be a nice option. Maybe a port for yeast harvesting and surely for sampling the beer.
So curious to hear any responses. My main question currently is - would it be wrong to do 6 gallons to ferment in a 15 gallon keg? I've heard in the past that it is too much headspace.. but it seems wort needs a bit of oxygen to get the yeast rolling, then the carbon dioxide would fill the headspace. But I would rather hear from those in the know.
As far as favorite steel fermenters, I suppose I could search the forums as it has been talked about. But go ahead if you have the urge to suggest. Thanks much!
I started rigging a 15 gallon keg into a fermenter thinking of 10 gallon batches, but gave it up as I usually only do 5 gallon batches. Not sure I really want to go 3 gallons with my corny kegs, but could give it a try. Currently I'm doing BIAB after moving from 3 kettle brewing (for more simplicity and some time saving). My mash tun was a plastic cooler in that 3 kettle system, and had to use RIMS to keep mash temps. One problem with the 15 gal. keg was how to clean it easily.. with no welding skills or local sanitary welders around here to put in a 4" tri-clover fitting.. but recently found this: https://moonshinestillproject.com/product/convert-a-keg/ as an easy way to put one in. I've also soldered kegs so could try a solder joint on a standard ferrule. I do electric brewing.. have 240v heating elements in things. Anyway..
Started researching stainless fermenters and they are a bit pricey for the amount of beer I brew.. I'm getting old so drinking less.. but I could afford one. Looked at Brewtools MiniUni.. others.. Would be nice to have ports for temp probe.. I use a terrarium heater jacket to keep warm (brew in cold basement) but don't currently have a good system for cold crashing. Maybe ports for Co2 pressure transfer, etc. I haven't really considered pressure fermenting but might be a nice option. Maybe a port for yeast harvesting and surely for sampling the beer.
So curious to hear any responses. My main question currently is - would it be wrong to do 6 gallons to ferment in a 15 gallon keg? I've heard in the past that it is too much headspace.. but it seems wort needs a bit of oxygen to get the yeast rolling, then the carbon dioxide would fill the headspace. But I would rather hear from those in the know.
As far as favorite steel fermenters, I suppose I could search the forums as it has been talked about. But go ahead if you have the urge to suggest. Thanks much!
