Need a new fermentor

[TANSTAAFB]

I have been using 6.5 gal glass carboys and I’m well over it, I love the glass over plastic but yes it’s a bit harder to clean but easier to keep watch over your fermentation. At this point I’m now in the market for a 15gal fermentor. I have found a few but most are plastic. I have see a few YouTube videos where they have made a fermentor out of a 15 gal keg. Not sure how I’d like that idea to make sure you get a good seal.

https://www.brewershardware.com/Sanke-Fermentor-Kits/

http://www.norcalbrewingsolutions.com/store/Sanke-Keg-Tee-Fermenter-Kit.html

I think I'll try the less elegant carboy cap and racking cane trick first, just to make sure I like using it. Moving after filling and temp control would be the biggest obstacles for me!

 

[November]

Honestly i've been seriously considering switching to corny kegs for fermenting. I use a standard size fridge to ferment in and can only fit 2 buckets, where i think i could fit at least 4 kegs. This would mean brewing ~8 gal batches instead of 10 and ~4 instead of 5. Look into this if you haven't considered it yet, it seems pretty solid. The downside is you need alot of kegs but theyre easier to stash/stack. Used kegs can be as cheap/cheaper than fermentors.

I used to use 30L sanke kegs for fermenters when I did 5 gallon batches. They worked well and though you can't stick your arm in one they aren't any tougher to clean than a carboy.

 

[thehaze]

I have 5 Speidel 30L and they are awesome.

Easy to clean, easy to dryhop and add adjuncts due to the very large opening. They got a spigot, the airlock is pretty neat and in these you can actually ferment 5 and 6 gallons, possibly a tad more.

 

[pup247]

I have been looking into the SS Brew Tech 14gal fermentor with the optional temp control. During the winter months I don’t have an issue with temp control but it’s the summer month that can fluctuate my temp a lot so definitely need to get a better system for that.

Also I have brewed with other brewers who use the sanke system and cleaning is always a hassle. Also the same issue with temp control comes up, if you have solutions for those I’d love to learn. Best way I have seen to clean the Sanke system is to have a motor pump and pressurize the system and basically infinite symphony.

 

[cubalz]

I use Speidel fermenters exclusively and have been for many, many years. Work perfectly and no issues.

 

[cubalz]

Since I can easily control my temps within about +/- 1 degree I respectfully disagree

You say that you can control your temperature to +/-1 degree? There is absolutely no way, especially how you are doing it. I use a refrigerator with an expensive controller coupled to a thermowell and cannot get it that close. Thermometers and controllers have, at best, a +/- 3 degree variance. To get that close, you would need a $20,000 lab grade chamber. Trust me on this, I manage a calibration department for a large corporation.

 

[pup247]

You say that you can control your temperature to +/-1 degree? There is absolutely no way, especially how you are doing it. I use a refrigerator with an expensive controller coupled to a thermowell and cannot get it that close. Thermometers and controllers have, at best, a +/- 3 degree variance. To get that close, you would need a $20,000 lab grade chamber. Trust me on this, I manage a calibration department for a large corporation.

You never know he could be standing watching 24/7 but I know that with technology always growing there are pumps and digital thermometers that advertise keeping temp with in +/- 1 degree. Just look at the heating/cooling systems that SS Brew Tech is advertising, that’s the reason I’m looking at that because obviously temp control during fermentation is key.