Using a Variable Lid Tank

[Archer]

I want to increase my production from glass carboys to a variable lid stainless steal tank. Here is my question. Since I can not see into the tank, after I rack to secondary how will I know how its clearing or if there are any bad thinkgs going on, e.g. mold growths, etc.? Can I remove the lid to check on it momentarily without adversely affecting the aging cider?

 

[Archer]

Was this a dumb question, or just nobody can reply? I thought removing the lid would expose aging cider to oxygen, (a bad thing) but, of course, putting the lid back on should get most of the air back out again.... Surely, someone out there has some experieince with this?

 

[phug]

if the cider is in active fermentation, sneaking the lid off for a peak is not an issue, your layer of CO2 will protect you. If fermentation is complete, you should still have a layer of CO2, but if you disturb it too much it may not replenish.

 

[gregbathurst]

Not many hobbyists can afford variable capacity tanks. The occasional peek shouldn't cause any harm. though the less disturbance the better IMO. Since the SS container is oxygen impermeable, your cider should be quite well protected.

A layer of co2 doesn't protect your cider from O2, check out Dalton's law of partial pressures. The molecules of gas are so far apart they don't effect each other, 2 different gases can occupy the same volume without increasing the pressure.

 

[Archer]

Thanks, guys. You are right that its probably cheaper to buy several 6gal glass carboys than a small variable cap SS tank, but I thought it'd be more complicated individually topping them all off and dealing with them each individually over and over again, vs. one tank with whatever amount I chose to do. Moreover, I think I will want to go to the legal limit of 200 gals in a year or so. Just hate to have larger quantities that I cannot monitor very well until its too late. I get a warm fuzzy feeling looking at my aging ciders in secondary....