Speidel Plastic Tanks
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Has anyone put a ball lock gas port in the lid? If so, post a list of parts I'll need to do this. Thanks
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heckofagator
Well-Known Member
Does anyone know if the 30L fit in the Cool Brewing fermentation bag?
Interesting, these fermenters are awfully similar to my trusty Coopers plastic fermenters. Guess these would make good replacements when time comes to switch out. The simplicity of having a lightweight fermenter with a wide top makes for super easy cleaning. Add to that a spigot and I just drain out using a hose. And it's fairly easy to see what's going on inside.
I've got one question... with my Coopers fermenters the lid really needs to be tightened down. Problem is trying to open it back up when fermentation is done. If I had another male around to hold the thing while I unscrewed the lid it would be a cinch but the wife just can't hold it. Are these Speidel tops easy to unscrew?
Rev.
I've got one question... with my Coopers fermenters the lid really needs to be tightened down. Problem is trying to open it back up when fermentation is done. If I had another male around to hold the thing while I unscrewed the lid it would be a cinch but the wife just can't hold it. Are these Speidel tops easy to unscrew?
Rev.
Yes. I have the 30L version and the ring that screws on the top to secure it is very easy to unscrew and then the top (with a gasket) lifts off with no resistance what so ever.
Yes, they'll fit. You just have to be careful with the airlock. I use two of them with the 30L fermenters almost exclusively.
Has anyone measured the dead space in the 20L and 30L Speidels? I know you can always tip it forward to drain more, but how much beer is left in the dead space if the Speidel is on a level surface? (Not worried about trub for this question)
Thanks!
Thanks!
flatrockbeer
Active Member
I'd say 56 - 57 ounces of dead space, just under 2 qts
I've used a 30L for about a year now and love it, just purchased a 2nd one
flatrockbeer
Active Member
I really like my 30L fermenters, they're pretty easy to clean with the wide opening, and its nice not having to use a siphon, just attach a hose and run it right into a keg. I don't use their airlocks, I made two holes in a solid stopper, one for an airlock and the other for a thermowell, it works well.
its funny that you have an FSM avatar, I have the FSM on both of my fermenters, wanted to give them some personality!
Thanks @flatrockbeer
very cool fermenters. I have one of those stickers on my kegerator.
very cool fermenters. I have one of those stickers on my kegerator.
First impression of the Speidel is very positive. It is a well made piece of equipment. The inside is completely smooth, with no noticeable seam. Handles are robust. I wont worry about lifting 5 or 6 gal with them. It even fit in my Cool Brewing cooler, although I'll need to cut the ends off a 2L bottle to place over the airlock to prop the top of the cooler up.
Really looking forward to getting a batch in this bad boy.
Really looking forward to getting a batch in this bad boy.
russell58
Well-Known Member
Brought a 20 L one back in December and will be buying the 30 L next. Easy cleaning, well built and the over sized air lock is easy to check for CO2 activity. They are built to last..... 
quaboagbrewing
Well-Known Member
How is everyone cleaning these? I have a 60L that I'll be finally using for the first time. Assuming same deal as plastic bucket.......soak in PBW then rinse and wipe with soft cloth followed by adding bit of Star-San or iodophor and shaking to ensure everything inside gets contact with the sanitizer? Any other techniques folks are using?
Darwin18
Well-Known Member
Post-fermentation: Rinse spent yeast out and wash with soap and soft sponge. Make sure to take the spigot off and clean as well. Dry thoroughly with paper towels.
Pre-fermentation: Fill entire interior with starsan mixture. Drain through spigot. Dump remaining mixture that doesn't drain. Ready for wort.
Pre-fermentation: Fill entire interior with starsan mixture. Drain through spigot. Dump remaining mixture that doesn't drain. Ready for wort.
Frostbrewer
Well-Known Member
That is a ****load of starsan ^^^
Darwin18
Well-Known Member
Mixture. It's exactly the ratio of water to starsan as listed on the package, but just in case you didn't get that:
turkeyjerky214
Well-Known Member
That is a ****load of starsan mixture ^^^
I just dump about a gallon or so in, shake it up with the lid on, let a little drain through the spigot, then dump the rest back into my starsan bucket.
I just dump about a gallon or so in, shake it up with the lid on, let a little drain through the spigot, then dump the rest back into my starsan bucket.
Darwin18
Well-Known Member
Starsan is cheap and I buy in bulk. Much cheaper than dumping a batch due to infection. I haven't had one in seven years of homebrewing. The guy asked how people were cleaning theirs and that's my process. Feel free to brew, clean, or whatever however you want. I personally wouldn't put PBW in my expensive, plastic Speidel since I damaged a few better bottles doing so. Admittedly it was because I didn't use the correct PBW to water ratio.
PBW in Better Bottles is actually a no no unless you're rinsing somewhat right away. A brewery told me that letting it sit in a better bottle can cause scratches or cracks because PBW is a caustic. I used to let PBW sit overnight in my plastic, I no longer do that.
As for gallons of star san being used, I too use about a gallon in my plastics, shake around for a bit, and then dump & fill with wort. I can see the point of filling a vessel entirely with a mixture, but I haven't done that yet. I don't have a reason though.
As for gallons of star san being used, I too use about a gallon in my plastics, shake around for a bit, and then dump & fill with wort. I can see the point of filling a vessel entirely with a mixture, but I haven't done that yet. I don't have a reason though.
Darwin18
Well-Known Member
That's how I killed a couple of older Better Bottles. I soaked them overnight in what was likely a overly strong PBW solution and they developed small pin prick holes that I discovered when I went to sanitize while brewing. It's actually the reason I moved on to Spiedel - I personally will not use PBW with plastic anymore.
ImNoExpert
Well-Known Member
I soak overnight in oxyclean. No scrub, no problem. A good rinse and i'm on my way.
Brew day I just put a few quarts of starsan in and shake. A little drain out the spigot and upside down to drain out the excess.
Brew day I just put a few quarts of starsan in and shake. A little drain out the spigot and upside down to drain out the excess.
I hose it out in the utility sink, and then add about a gallon of PBW solution and wipe all surfaces with a soft cloth or sponge. I let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse. Rinse again. Air dry upside down on a carboy dryer.
I keep a 5 gallon bucket of starsan solution mixed up at all times. On brew day I pour most of it in the Speidel, shake, shake, shake for 30 seconds or so, and dump back into the starsan bucket. After I've drained my kettle to the Speidel I spray starsan into the spigot (which is installed sideways, not straight down), and cover with foil. On kegging day I spray the spigot with starsan again and then keg.
I keep a 5 gallon bucket of starsan solution mixed up at all times. On brew day I pour most of it in the Speidel, shake, shake, shake for 30 seconds or so, and dump back into the starsan bucket. After I've drained my kettle to the Speidel I spray starsan into the spigot (which is installed sideways, not straight down), and cover with foil. On kegging day I spray the spigot with starsan again and then keg.
turkeyjerky214
Well-Known Member
Sorry, I wasn't saying that you're doing it wrong. I don't think Frostbrewer was saying that either. Just that since it really only needs to touch the surface, making that much Starsan solution is serious overkill. I mix up around 3 gallons at a time and use it for months. Of course, I check the pH of it every time before using it. As long as the pH is correct, it really doesn't matter how old it is. I've been doing it this way for around 4 years and haven't had an infection in that time either.
Hmm with the spigot pointing up instead of down? Really...? Is this some snipe hunting trick and I'm going to end up with beer on the kitchen floor? Cause I'm dumb I'll do it.
turkeyjerky214
Well-Known Member
Check out this thread. $30 upgrade that's totally worth it.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/speidel-fermentors-now-stainless-rotating-racking-arm-449546/
ArcaneXor
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After having broken many Better Bottles, I now use an enzymatic cleaner (a 7th Generation laundry detergent) to soften up the gunk, then rinse and refill with a warm PBW solution. It's essential that the PBW powder is already dissolved in warm water before adding it to the Better Bottle. I also use a fairly low concentration. After a day or two, the BBs are sparkling clean without damage.
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