Need larger fermenter

[Craigweiser]

I brewed a 5.5 gallon imperial stout with 1.115 OG. 2nd time I've lost a gallon or more of wort to the blowoff tube. I tried fermcap which did not help. Is the blichmann conical fermenter the only way to to go for extra fermenting space? Maybe fermenting in the mid 60s would have helped.

 

[amandabab]

I've brewed in that range with a 6.5 gallon carboy and 1" hose and temp control many times without a lot of loss.

if you don't want to buy a bigger fermentor , build an oldschool Burton union.
http://byo.com/stories/projects-and...self/354-build-a-burton-union-system-projects

 

[adamjackson]

One of my professional friends who is head brewer at a local place said, even with 6.5 gallon carboys, I should still use a blow-off tube and, in some cases, you will lose some beer. I did a 4.5 gallon batch single hop Imperial IPA (around 9-10%) and, in the 6.5 gallon carboy, I still had some insane krausen that took up all head space and started going into the airlock so I switched to a blow-off. I lost less than I did before when I lost a full gallon of beer..same recipe in the 5 gallon carboy but still lost some so nothing is perfect.

I'm looking at those big conicals but $35 for carboy versus $1200 for a conical. I don't mind losing a gallon of beer from time to time for the cost savings.

 

[looneybomber]

Pick up a 7.9gal wine fermenter or an 8gal medicine barrel.

Search 8gal bucket or barrel on ebay and you'll see someone selling a blue one for ~$20 shipped w/lid.

Nevermind, here's a quick search for ya.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Gallon-Ba...327?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c6722a74f
http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-gallon-Ba...890?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ebbdffb62

 

[Gameface]

Try this: http://morebeer.com/view_product/12095/104258/Speidel_Plastic_Fermenter_-_60L_159_gal, there is a 7.9 gal option as well.

 

[BrewerBear]

Try this: http://morebeer.com/view_product/12095/104258/Speidel_Plastic_Fermenter_-_60L_159_gal, there is a 7.9 gal option as well.

I looked at those,but they never have them in stock. I ended up getting http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_33_464&products_id=12287 haven't got to use it yet.

 

[lowlife]

Is that a vittles vault?

 

[gotsumbeers]

Big plastic buckets! I never lose a drop. Much easier to access for gravity samples too.

 

[brycelarson]

Split into 2 fermenters for the first violent part of the process?

 

[Gameface]

I looked at those,but they never have them in stock. I ended up getting http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_33_464&products_id=12287 haven't got to use it yet.

Those are what I used before I got the Speidel's. They work pretty well. I just didn't like the way that liquid collected under the collar when I cleaned them and after I had a lot of blow-off I had a hard time cleaning out all the krousen and started worrying about infections.

 

[CBelli]

I use a Sanke Keg and this converter..... Love it as it fits nicely into my fermentation chamber and handles all my 10 gal batches....

http://www.brewershardware.com/American-Sanke-Keg-Fermenter-Kit-with-Thermowell.html

 

[AmandaK]

Is that a vittles vault?

It is. And you can buy probably 50 of them for the price of a Blichmann conical.

I use a 50 lb Vittles Vault for my 10 gallon batches of lambic.