temp rating on food grade plastic primary??

[dawn_kiebawls]

Hey guys, I'm gearing up to do my second batch. I just got my yeast starter going and I plan to brew tomorrow! I have a 10 gallon kettle and when I bought it I did not realize I don't have anywhere big enough to give it an ice bath! My last batch I just went straight from boil to bucket because my primary can fit in my sink.

Am I running the risk of anything by transferring 2.5 gallons of boil to plastic (I top it off to 5 gallons so it isn't AS high of temp the entire time)? I also figured by doing it that way it would be an extra sanitary precaution. Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[microbusbrewery]

Per this site, HDPE buckets should be fine: http://fivegallonideas.com/plastic-types-old/

That said, I'd consider getting/building an immersion wort chiller. The ice bath method of chilling is not very efficient. It's worse with a bucket because the plastic bucket doesn't conduct heat as well as a kettle, so it's likely to take longer until you get to pitching temps.

 

[kh54s10]

Add some cold top up water to the kettle before putting it in the bucket!! Problem solved.

Then get an immersion chiller. You will want it when you go to full boils.

 

[brandonlovesbeer]

Add some cold top up water to the kettle before putting it in the bucket!! Problem solved.

But make sure you boil it first to sanitize.

 

[InTheBasement]

With a 10 gallon kettle I will make the conclusion that you are brewing outdoors. Am I correct? If so your solution is easy. I boil outside in my 15 gallon kettle and I bought a cheap, metal trash can. I fill it with water and ice and then move the kettle from burner to the can. It cools the wort in a matter of 10 minutes. In my case, I have a fermentation freezer that I use to make 50 pounds of ice prior to brew day. If I am not correct and you are brewing indoors, perhaps you should consider moving your operation outside if possible. It allows for very easy clean up. It gives you all the space you need.

 

[flars]

Add almost all of the top off water needed to the fermentor then pour from the boil kettle. Less total weight to pour.

Chill as much of the top off water as possible in a frig or freezer to speed cooling. One gallon water jugs work well.

 

[dawn_kiebawls]

With a 10 gallon kettle I will make the conclusion that you are brewing outdoors. Am I correct? If so your solution is easy. I boil outside in my 15 gallon kettle and I bought a cheap, metal trash can. I fill it with water and ice and then move the kettle from burner to the can. It cools the wort in a matter of 10 minutes. In my case, I have a fermentation freezer that I use to make 50 pounds of ice prior to brew day. If I am not correct and you are brewing indoors, perhaps you should consider moving your operation outside if possible. It allows for very easy clean up. It gives you all the space you need.

I wish it were that easy..I'm in a 850 square foot, 3rd floor apartment with an electric range..brew days take long enough as it is! Emersion chiller is high on my list when I get some extra wiggle room on my budget..

 

[dawn_kiebawls]

But make sure you boil it first to sanitize.

I've been using distilled water for all of my processes so far hoping for 1) I figured that would already be considered sanitary, and 2) Our tap water here is loaded with chlorine and I have a hard enough time keeping off flavors away.

Should I boil the distilled water anyway?

 

[brewcat]

No bathtub? When I did ice baths I did them in my bathtub. I also didn't use ice because there was enough cold water.

 

[kh54s10]

I've been using distilled water for all of my processes so far hoping for 1) I figured that would already be considered sanitary, and 2) Our tap water here is loaded with chlorine and I have a hard enough time keeping off flavors away.

Should I boil the distilled water anyway?

IMO, there is no need to boil any top up water except for well water. Municipal water or bottled water is already sanitary enough.

 

[brandonlovesbeer]

Watch this video. It talks about the temperature rating on no chill containers. Something like 190°F max temp.
https://youtu.be/9OhP_1ZHzVc