Pool filter fermenter

[Monster Mash]

One of my pool repair guys called and had another pool filter for me (trade for beer of course). So for a 12 pack I got this beauty...
There is a lot of scrubbing to do but for a free 30 gallon fermenter it's worth the work. I will do all of the cutting and have a friend do the welding (for beer of course)...

I need another fermenter so after I clean it up it will look like this...

I have an old single handle keg I'm cutting the top off of and the dip tube is already made...

 

[TrainSafe]

What is the capacity of the finished fermentor?

 

[Monster Mash]

It holds 33 gallons when full so I brew 25 gallon batches.

 

[neosapien]

that's sexy.

 

[TrainSafe]

Sexy is a good descriptor

 

[501irishred]

Just curious. What do you want/need the dip tube for on a fermenter? Are you planning on racking through it? Any way, excellent idea and looks great!

 

[bobbrewedit]

Just curious. What do you want/need the dip tube for on a fermenter? Are you planning on racking through it? Any way, excellent idea and looks great!

Thermometer would be my guess. That's an awesome idea, good for you man.

 

[Monster Mash]

The dip tube allows me to transfer beer with Co2 like you would from corny to corny. it is basically a 30 gallon corny...

 

[Kyled93]

Very cool!

So do you know what kind of pool filter it was prior? Is it stainless?

 

[Monster Mash]

It is a Purex filter and yes it is stainless. They have 3 sizes, 20 gallon, 30 gallon and 40 gallon. The 20 gallon ones are the easiest to find but for the trouble sanke kegs are better.

 

[501irishred]

The dip tube allows me to transfer beer with Co2 like you would from corny to corny. it is basically a 30 gallon corny...

Thanks. Sounds really convenient, but do you not risk transferring a lot of trub with a fixed tube?

 

[dbrewski]

How does that hold pressure? Are you planning on welding the larger top onto the body leaving the corny lid as the only access point? or did I miss that.

 

[Monster Mash]

How does that hold pressure? Are you planning on welding the larger top onto the body leaving the corny lid as the only access point? or did I miss that.

There is an o-ring that seals it up so it will hold pressure and the clamp hold the lid on.

 

[dcarter]

Great project!

 

[BBL_Brewer]

How do you control fermentation temps?

 

[DPBISME]

One of my pool repair guys called and had another pool filter for me (trade for beer of course). So for a 12 pack I got this beauty...
There is a lot of scrubbing to do but for a free 30 gallon fermenter it's worth the work. I will do all of the cutting and have a friend do the welding (for beer of course)...


Very Cool: Now I need to make friends with a Pool-Guy...

Would they work as a kettle? Seems to me you could build your whole system with three of these and then start making fermenters to fill...

OPPS: I now have seen your other pictures and that answers that question.

Did you make the ring to seal the top?

 

[Monster Mash]

They come with an o-ring to seal them but they are usually pretty nasty. New o-rings are about $11 at a pool supply store.

How do you control fermentation temps?

I have a glass door fridge that it fits perfect in. Here is a pic of transferring from primary to secondary.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

Pretty nice. I actually have a friend that just recently got into the pool business. I'll have to have him keep an eye out for me.

 

[JonW]

It is a Purex filter and yes it is stainless. They have 3 sizes, 20 gallon, 30 gallon and 40 gallon. The 20 gallon ones are the easiest to find but for the trouble sanke kegs are better.

I'd assume you could do 15-17 gallons in a 20 gallon tank though - yes? I currently use sanke's, but I can only do 10-11 gallons in there because of the head space. If I can up my batches to 15 gallons (16 for a heavily dry hopped beer) and do it in one of these, I'd be set.

If you pool friend has access to some 20 gallon ones, I'd be interested in a couple. I'm driving distance to you in SoCal.

 

[JerseyBrewer]

Since that was a pool filter what did you do to clean it? Your finished work looks awesome, so I assume you did a very thorough job... I'd worry about the gnarly chemicals that were previously in there. Any concerns? any off-taste in any of your beer?

 

[BBL_Brewer]

Since that was a pool filter what did you do to clean it? Your finished work looks awesome, so I assume you did a very thorough job... I'd worry about the gnarly chemicals that were previously in there. Any concerns? any off-taste in any of your beer?

Since it's safe to gulp down a little pool water, I'm guessing they're ok to brew with.

 

[Monster Mash]

I'd assume you could do 15-17 gallons in a 20 gallon tank though - yes? I currently use sanke's, but I can only do 10-11 gallons in there because of the head space. If I can up my batches to 15 gallons (16 for a heavily dry hopped beer) and do it in one of these, I'd be set.

If you pool friend has access to some 20 gallon ones, I'd be interested in a couple. I'm driving distance to you in SoCal.

If I come across any I will let you know, that size is pretty popular for pools and I know a couple brewers that use them.

Since they are stainless all they need is some Bar Keepers Friend and a good scrubby pad after some paint remover, they clean up pretty easily.

 

[Paps]

Subbing in a necro thread so i can find it later on.

 

[heckels]

This is quite awesome...as archaic as this thread may be.


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[dwaite47]

Haha. I will have to look for these


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