Trying to find a 15 gallon plastic drum

[bracconiere]

so i need a couple new 15 gallon drums for fermenters. the o-rings on my old curtec ones have gotten hold and kicked the bucket, pun intended...lol

anyway, they used to be easy to find on ebay for like $20+$20 shipping. can't seem to find them anymore. i miss bubbling airlocks.

i'm thinking maybe searching for "Drum", or something like that? anyone got tips on how to procure something like this?

 

[Golddiggie]

I just pulled three of the four I have been holding onto for the past ~10 years and put grain into them. I have one left, but I don't think you want to pay shipping from here. If it's just the o-rings that are bad, just replace those. IIRC, I got ones for these (didn't come with them) from McMaster.

Or upgrade to something more robust with easier to replace seals.

 

[bracconiere]

I just pulled three of the four I have been holding onto for the past ~10 years and put grain into them. I have one left, but I don't think you want to pay shipping from here. If it's just the o-rings that are bad, just replace those. IIRC, I got ones for these (didn't come with them) from McMaster.

Or upgrade to something more robust with easier to replace seals.

do you remember what they were? i tried replacing one with a rubber o-ring, and it still doesn't seal....

 

[IslandLizard]

Any homebrew shops around that sell their empty 15 gallon LME drums for scrap value?

 

[bracconiere]

Well, the feed store i get my barley from has them once in a while. for just $20, last i asked. but last couple times i've been there, they haven't had any....

 

[IslandLizard]

Well, the feed store i get my barley from has them once in a while. for just $20, last i asked. but last couple times i've been there, they haven't had any....

Ask them to save them for you.
Many (10) years ago, I was offered to take them for (nearly) "free" but wouldn't have known what to do with them, at that time. They make (almost) perfect 10 gallon fermenters! Doh!

 

[bracconiere]

They make (almost) perfect 10 gallon fermenters! Doh!

that they do, i got the tip back in 2006 or so, off the morebeer forums....i asked what was CHEAP, and big enough. because i was spliting my 10 gallon batches between two carboys....

might have to do that, or try at least. hmmm, it's only three, maybe i'll call them now! their still open!

edit: well he said check back monday, their having trouble getting a good deal on them. but should have some within a month....i'll keep my fingers crossed i can hear the sweet sounds of airlock activity again soon!

 

[BigEd]

so i need a couple new 15 gallon drums for fermenters. the o-rings on my old curtec ones have gotten hold and kicked the bucket, pun intended...lol

anyway, they used to be easy to find on ebay for like $20+$20 shipping. can't seem to find them anymore. i miss bubbling airlocks.

i'm thinking maybe searching for "Drum", or something like that? anyone got tips on how to procure something like this?

There is a nation-wide shortage of olefin plastics (polypropylene and polyetheylene) currently. It's possible that is affecting the used market if barrels/drums previously thrown or given away are now being re-used or sold before they reach the e-bay stage.

 

[bracconiere]

There is a nation-wide shortage of olefin plastics (polypropylene and polyetheylene) currently. It's possible that is affecting the used market if barrels/drums previously thrown or given away are now being re-used or sold before they reach the e-bay stage.

damn, and here i was hoping synthetic wood, would be a replacement to the ever increasing price of lumber, to build my fort!

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

I'd like to find several of these barrels to collect rain water for watering my hops, garden, etc during the periods when we go without rain.

 

[Barbarossa]

At 60$, the 15g all rounder is a strong contender, me think.

 

[Golddiggie]

do you remember what they were? i tried replacing one with a rubber o-ring, and it still doesn't seal....

Nope. The account I had set up at that time got wiped due to no activity. I would just take the ID, OD measurements and order a few of them. You can find "close enough for guvment work" o-rings on their site (if not the exact size). I don't recall if I ordered more than the four I needed or not. Or if I did get more, if I kept them since we're talking about 10 years ago now. I've moved a few times since then.

 

[MaxStout]

If you have the dimensions of the o-rings, try these guys. I've ordered from them a few times, no complaints.

 

[bracconiere]

If you have the dimensions of the o-rings, try these guys. I've ordered from them a few times, no complaints.

i got a rubber o-ring that fit, but it's not air tight...the original was foam, probably why they only last a few years....

 

[Transamguy77]

So not $20 but reasonably priced, check out this place. Plastic Drums, Plastic Barrels, 55 Gallon Plastic Drums in Stock - ULINE

 

[InspectorJon]

@bracconiere Maybe something Like This to make your own gaskets?

 

[bracconiere]

@bracconiere Maybe something Like This to make your own gaskets?

not a bad idea! , now my head's thinking. maybe even a roll off weather stripping....i allready have that even!

Thanks!


edit: got me thinking, and found this!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333834040020?hash=item4dba0f32d4:g:pO4AAOSwhTRf4lPL

 

[csabi]

Hello

I have the following fermenter setup that I am trying to sell.

Three 15 gallon food grade fermenters.

I would up load pics, but having trouble. Please see CL below.

Jim
Omaha

https://omaha.craigslist.org/for/d/omaha-home-brewing-fermenter/7322170250.html

 

[FromZwolle]

you can't just lay down a bead of silicone and a few weights on top for a decent seal?

 

[bracconiere]

Hello

I have the following fermenter setup that I am trying to sell.

Three 15 gallon food grade fermenters.

I would up load pics, but having trouble. Please see CL below.

Jim
Omaha

https://omaha.craigslist.org/for/d/omaha-home-brewing-fermenter/7322170250.html

a little fancier then i'm used too, but biodiesel stuff is another good idea....

 

[soccerdad]

US Plastics has some decent food grade stuff. I've seen people use them for no chill cubes.

 

[bracconiere]

US Plastics has some decent food grade stuff. I've seen people use them for no chill cubes.

i check us plastics actually, they have them for $120+shipping.....i'd probably go stainless instead of plastic at that price....

 

[soccerdad]

These folks might have your gasket .. or a new drum
https://www.lexingtoncontainercompany.com/

 

[bracconiere]

These folks might have your gasket .. or a new drum
https://www.lexingtoncontainercompany.com/

hell yeah! they got 15 gallon drums for $16! i see no way to buy 2-3 of them though? lol i clicked the online shop, and was taken the ammo boxes and gas cans?

edit: found it, $40 for a 14 gallon, and $50 shipping....

 

[bracconiere]

if a plastic bucket is $100, i think i'll end up going with something like this....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3533675677...HGUtuL2ZnBvuP2nmOrTwMrGsaw_yDgphoC13wQAvD_BwE

 

[IslandLizard]

if a plastic bucket is $100, i think i'll end up going with something like this....

Didn't you have a 1/2 barrel Sanke keg standing around, looking for a purpose?
They make excellent fermenters (and soleras). The only drawback is they're a PITA to clean without a strong pump and such.

 

[bracconiere]

Didn't you have a 1/2 barrel Sanke keg standing around, looking for a purpose?
They make excellent fermenters (and soleras). The only drawback is they're a PITA to clean without a strong pump and such.

that i do, someone might sell me a ball lock fermenter thingy-ma-jiggy for it too...it will be something to try anyway.

 

[IslandLizard]

hell yeah! they got 15 gallon drums for $16! i see no way to buy 2-3 of them though? lol i clicked the online shop, and was taken the ammo boxes and gas cans?

edit: found it, $40 for a 14 gallon, and $50 shipping....

That site is a nightmare to navigate.
I typed in the SKU# of those 15 gallon barrels, and got the same results you did, jerrycans galore!

Your search Fu was a bit more advanced apparently...
But then shipping kills pretty much any such deal, as usual.

 

[IslandLizard]

if a plastic bucket is $100, i think i'll end up going with something like this....

I've read about people using those kind of milk cans (or olive oil cans) for fermentation. They're probably pretty thin material, though. And China made.
Now with their large opening they are much easier to clean than an "unmodified" Sanke.

 

[IslandLizard]

that i do, someone might sell me a ball lock fermenter thingy-ma-jiggy for it too...it will be something to try anyway.

Just a large, drilled rubber stopper with an airlock in it will work fine.

Again, you really need some kind of setup with a powerful pump and a riser tube to clean them.