Turn my mash tun into a fermenter??

[Argyll Gargoyle]

Will a standard size 6 gallon bucket fit inside a 10G Igloo cooler?

I’m looking for a cheap and low-clutter temp controlled DIY fermenter solution. As I see it, you need some good insulation to minimize how much cooling power you need. And it better be air tight if you don’t like condensation/mold issues. An Igloo cooler might do the trick if it fits — anybody want to do a fit check for me?

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

One of those "Yes-No-Maybe" answers.

Yes, the plastic bucket fits into a 10G Igloo cooler.

Maybe, it work work.

No, it will not as there is no room for an airlock or venting the fermentation gasses.

IMO, no.

 

[Argyll Gargoyle]

Thanks for checking it — is that a 6 gal bucket? How much room between the top of the bucket and the igloo lid?
I wonder if a blowoff tube could be routed out the spigot on the bottom?

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Routing a blow off tube is difficult. Need thin to fit between bucket and side of cooler. This means it may clog. If I use a blow off tube I use a wide tube.

The bucket used is a standard beginning brewer's kit bucket.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Can't ferment 5 gallons in a 5 gallon bucket. In my experience, can't ferment 5 gallons in a 6 gallon bucket.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

I can try a true 5 gallon bucket, but this doesn't change the narrow side spacing between the bucket and the Igloo cooler.

 

[Argyll Gargoyle]

Hmm - a pretty snug fit then, huh?
I had hoped to run a coil of tubing between the bucket and the igloo to pump cold water through. No luck on that concept? Room for 1/4” tubing even?

 

[Argyll Gargoyle]

No I think you’re right - a 5 gal would be too small

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Hmm - a pretty snug fit then, huh?
I had hoped to run a coil of tubing between the bucket and the igloo to pump cold water through. No luck on that concept? Room for 1/4” tubing even?

It's very tight. Perhaps, but how good would heating/cooling transfer to with 1/4" between copper and plastic?

 

[Argyll Gargoyle]

Not great, admittedly.. I was hoping the thicker cooler insulation would reduce the cooling need (compared with the usual reflectex wrap) I could use poly tubing so as to allow the tubing to be squished a bit
Or maybe fill the gap between bucket & igloo with water - a bit more of a mess

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Attempting to achieve? There may be better ways?

 

[Argyll Gargoyle]

There is another recent thread that is talking about using a bucket of glycol in a freezer, then piping that through a cooling coil in the fermenter. That idea is attractive to me because I have a suitable freezer but it is also used for food. I couldn’t put my fermenter inside but I could fit a small glycol reservoir. Then I just need an insulated fermenter, which is the inspiration for this question

 

[Stormcrow]

There is another recent thread that is talking about using a bucket of glycol in a freezer, then piping that through a cooling coil in the fermenter. That idea is attractive to me because I have a suitable freezer but it is also used for food. I couldn’t put my fermenter inside but I could fit a small glycol reservoir. Then I just need an insulated fermenter, which is the inspiration for this question

You could build your own little chamber with thick styrofoam, maybe even face it with some kind of paneling if appearance matters.

 

[Argyll Gargoyle]

Yea, I’ve been thinking of that option but I’m worried that it will be tough to keep condensation out if I use a cooling coil on the exterior of my fermenter. I could use a coil / loop that went inside the fermenter, which shouldn’t have condensation issues. But that’s more to clean and worry about leaks/infection/etc

 

[Stormcrow]

Yea, I’ve been thinking of that option but I’m worried that it will be tough to keep condensation out if I use a cooling coil on the exterior of my fermenter. I could use a coil / loop that went inside the fermenter, which shouldn’t have condensation issues. But that’s more to clean and worry about leaks/infection/etc

Have heard people swear by a product called Damp-Rid to fight condensation in closed spaces. You might look it up.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Silicone cat litter works well too. Search HBT you will see a post by me regarding this item.