Small Batch Fermenter?

[Rob2010SS]

On Sunday, I brewed an imperial stout. Ended up with 7 or 7.5 gallons in the fermenter. This will be going into my whiskey barrel. However, the barrel is only 5 gallons. I want to save the extra 2 gallons or so that will be leftover.

Looking for recommendations on either...
A) a couple of 1 gallon fermenters

or

B) a 2 or 3 gallon fermenter

I found this little thing. They say it can be used as a fermenter but I'm not familiar with how this vents pressure...? I like the bigger opening on top because it'll make the additions I want to make later a lot easier to get in fermenter.

Any one got any recommendations?

 

[bobeer]

Lowes or Home depot has 5 gallon food grade buckets for $4 or so. You can get a lid separately for it too and just drill a hole that fill fit one of those airlock rubber stoppers.
Or, just put it in a keg and drink it, or put it in a regular 6 gallon fermentor and purge the oxygen.

 

[RPh_Guy]

3 gal Fermonster
https://www.morebeer.com/products/fermonster-3-gallon-ported-carboy-spigot-included.html

1 gal Fermonster
https://www.morebeer.com/products/fermonster-1-gallon-ported-carboy-spigot-included.html

Spigot
https://www.morebeer.com/products/plastic-spigot-bucket-sediment-block.html

 

[Rob2010SS]

3 gal Fermonster
https://www.morebeer.com/products/fermonster-3-gallon-ported-carboy-spigot-included.html

1 gal Fermonster
https://www.morebeer.com/products/fermonster-1-gallon-ported-carboy-spigot-included.html

Spigot
https://www.morebeer.com/products/plastic-spigot-bucket-sediment-block.html

I was just looking at the fermonsters. They seem like the perfect option. Thanks!

 

[Jag75]

You could fill some bombers and bottle condition.

 

[Rob2010SS]

You could fill some bombers and bottle condition.

I thought about that actually. It was either that or I get a small batch fermenter like this and use some chips or spirals that I have on hand and maybe some other additions.

 

[Jag75]

If your thinking of getting a small fermenter you may just look for a small 2 gallon barrel.

 

[Rob2010SS]

If your thinking of getting a small fermenter you may just look for a small 2 gallon barrel.

Not a bad idea either. I'll take a look. I didn't even know they made them that small. I thought 5 gal was the smalletst

 

[Jag75]

Not a bad idea either. I'll take a look. I didn't even know they made them that small. I thought 5 gal was the smalletst

My aunt owns a HBS in New Mexico and she has some . I believe they're 2 gallons.

 

[Oginme]

Looking for recommendations on either...
A) a couple of 1 gallon fermenters

or

B) a 2 or 3 gallon fermenter

I found this little thing. They say it can be used as a fermenter but I'm not familiar with how this vents pressure...? I like the bigger opening on top because it'll make the additions I want to make later a lot easier to get in fermenter.

Any one got any recommendations?

I use a 1 gal jug for truly experimental brews and excess wort extracted from the trub (which is used to propagate yeast for the next batch).

Additionally, I use the Mr. Beer kegs (MBK) for slightly larger batches up to 6 liters when starting to scale up experimental batch or when making a small brew to grow yeast for a larger batch in place of using a flask and stir plate.

The MBK has notches in the rim which allows for gas to escape when fermenting. They also make good bottling buckets for a 10 liter batch.

 

[Rob2010SS]

I use a 1 gal jug for truly experimental brews and excess wort extracted from the trub (which is used to propagate yeast for the next batch).

Additionally, I use the Mr. Beer kegs (MBK) for slightly larger batches up to 6 liters when starting to scale up experimental batch or when making a small brew to grow yeast for a larger batch in place of using a flask and stir plate.

The MBK has notches in the rim which allows for gas to escape when fermenting. They also make good bottling buckets for a 10 liter batch.

In the case where the beer isn't fermenting and creating pressure, and it's only conditioning, do these slots allow air into the fermenter?

 

[RM-MN]

On Sunday, I brewed an imperial stout. Ended up with 7 or 7.5 gallons in the fermenter. This will be going into my whiskey barrel. However, the barrel is only 5 gallons. I want to save the extra 2 gallons or so that will be leftover.

Are you fermenting in the whiskey barrel or just aging the beer there when the fermentation is over? If fermenting in the whiskey barrel, just put the rest in a 5 or 6 gallon bucket or carboy and ferment it there.

If you are just aging the beer in the barrel, bottle the rest or keg it.

 

[RM-MN]

In the case where the beer isn't fermenting and creating pressure, and it's only conditioning, do these slots allow air into the fermenter?

No, or at least not for a long time. Beer has an excess of CO2 dissolved into it that will be outgassing for some time. That escaping CO@ should keep out most of the oxygen.

 

[Rob2010SS]

My aunt owns a HBS in New Mexico and she has some . I believe they're 2 gallons.

I found some of these online. I noticed that they're fresh barrels - never had whiskey in them or anything. Can you use these for beer right off the bat or do you need to put whiskey or something else in them first?

 

[Rob2010SS]

Are you fermenting in the whiskey barrel or just aging the beer there when the fermentation is over? If fermenting in the whiskey barrel, just put the rest in a 5 or 6 gallon bucket or carboy and ferment it there.

If you are just aging the beer in the barrel, bottle the rest or keg it.

Nope, not fermenting in the barrel. It's fermenting right now in my unitank. I'll be transferring it to the barrel November 2nd.

 

[Oginme]

In the case where the beer isn't fermenting and creating pressure, and it's only conditioning, do these slots allow air into the fermenter?

The cover for the MBK screws down well below the notches, so normal conditioning is not a problem. Cold crashing in a MBK would certainly be an issue. I've conditioned up to 4 weeks in an MBK without issue (my wheat beer test batches) and never had any sign of oxidation. It is the temperature fluctuations which cause influx of air due to thermal contraction of the contents.

 

[Jag75]

I found some of these online. I noticed that they're fresh barrels - never had whiskey in them or anything. Can you use these for beer right off the bat or do you need to put whiskey or something else in them first?

I dont know . I've never used barrels before.

 

[kevin58]

I use these for my small batches. I use the water for brewing and the jug for fermenting... afterwards I wash out the jug and take it back to the store to exchange for another 3 gallon jug of spring water.

https://www.diamondrock.com/content/uploads/2016/02/3gaal.png

 

[bracconiere]

if you're aging on oak...then i could recommend this....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-1Gal-750...=123296556631dbba1380203c4b1aa68e5aff6c4756f2

 

[Rob2010SS]

if you're aging on oak...then i could recommend this....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-1Gal-750W-4L-Pure-Water-Distiller-All-304-Stainless-Steel-Internal-With-Glass/123296556631?_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item1cb50c2657:g:yvsAAOSwML5drl8u&enc=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&checksum=123296556631dbba1380203c4b1aa68e5aff6c4756f2&enc=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&checksum=123296556631dbba1380203c4b1aa68e5aff6c4756f2

I'm missing something... I'm not seeing how this is related to aging on oak....

 

[bracconiere]

normally spirits are aged on oak.....just thought i'd throw it out there

you say you just need a smaller secondary to age with chips, so i assumed it's already fermented...

 

[Rob2010SS]

normally spirits are aged on oak.....just thought i'd throw it out there

you say you just need a smaller secondary to age with chips, so i assumed it's already fermented...

You'll have to forgive me... My 5 month old son kept me up a lot last night LOL.

Still not seeing what I'd use this for...? I hate to ask you to spell it out for me but do you mind?

 

[bracconiere]

You'll have to forgive me... My 5 month old son kept me up a lot last night LOL.

Still not seeing what I'd use this for...? I hate to ask you to spell it out for me but do you mind?

i was just thinking if all you have is 2 gallons or so of extra beer, put it in a cheapo 1 gallon distiller and make some fortified beer....did it once myself, really makes a difference with the hops....and the stronger the ABV (preferably about 65%), the better the wood extraction is....takes about an hour...so 2 hours time you can reduce your two gallons of extra beer to about a liter of booze, and add it back to the main batch....

also you can age it on some toasted oak chips, while it's still strong....like i said just a thought how to use 2 gallons of 'extra' beer.....

 

[Rob2010SS]

i was just thinking if all you have is 2 gallons or so of extra beer, put it in a cheapo 1 gallon distiller and make some fortified beer....did it once myself, really makes a difference with the hops....and the stronger the ABV (preferably about 65%), the better the wood extraction is....takes about an hour...so 2 hours time you can reduce your two gallons of extra beer to about a liter of booze, and add it back to the main batch....

also you can age it on some toasted oak chips, while it's still strong....like i said just a thought how to use 2 gallons of 'extra' beer.....

Interesting! Didn't even know you could do that! Might keep that in mind as an option. Thanks man.

 

[Leezer]

I brew 1G to 2.25G batches and use 3G Better Bottles and Little Big Mouth Bubblers which hold about 1.4G. The Better Bottles have a small carboy neck opening but I love the wide opening of the Little Big Mouth Bubblers, helpful for adding things during fermentation.

 

[crane]

I like using 1 gallon glass jugs for building up dregs from commercial sour beers and for storing beer to top off my barrel. I acquired most of them with apple juice inside. Buy a pack of yeast, toss on an airlock and you can make some cider if you don't want the apple juice.

 

[IslandLizard]

Since the excess of beer that's not going into your barrel is already fermented, it should be protected from air/oxygen. Kegging the remainder makes most sense. Add some wood cubes/cut down staves (slower extraction) or chips (faster) to give it a wood/barrel character. It's really not that different of a process from the main batch which is surrounded by wood. But faster, because of the larger surface to volume ratio.

You can add your wood to the keg when filling it with Starsan, right before liquid pre-purging it, so the keg becomes filled with 100% CO2 plus your wood. Blow off any Starsan that settles during the next 15-30 minutes. Rack the beer into the keg through the liquid QD, leave the lid on, of course. Especially for transferring smaller volumes of beer into larger volume kegs, liquid pre-purging is a must. You can sample the progress easily with a picnic tap. It may well be sampled so much there won't be any left by the time your barrel is ready.

 

[TandemTails]

Before getting too excited about having leftover beer, keep in mind a 5 gallon barrel will likely hold much more than 5 gallons. Be prepared for putting a little over 6 gallons in the barrel. I just filled a Reservoir bourbon barrel with about 6 gallons of brown ale and I still probably could have fit another 1/2 gallon in there.

 

[Rob2010SS]

Before getting too excited about having leftover beer, keep in mind a 5 gallon barrel will likely hold much more than 5 gallons. Be prepared for putting a little over 6 gallons in the barrel. I just filled a Reservoir bourbon barrel with about 6 gallons of brown ale and I still probably could have fit another 1/2 gallon in there.

Did not know that... that's good to know! I thought the 5 gallon barrels were maxed at 5 gallons...

 

[Oginme]

Sorry posted in wrong thread