Using corny for primary?

[N3Bruce]

I want to have it keep for a while, but I was just guessing at the amount of honey, and 2 2 pound jars seemed about right.

 

[crazyjake19]

Lately, I've been fermenting and serving almost all my beers from corny kegs. Less chance for oxygen ingress, and less vessels to clean which is great because I can be lazy. All my batches are 4 gallons or less so I have no worries about headspace.

 

[Spikybits]

Also adventures in home brewing sells loose handled ball lock kegs for $29 plug shipping. Ive bent all of my dip tubes up to the sidewall, pours only 1 or 2 yeasty pints and then clear. Only thing that is a drag is shipping ends up costing 1 keg - i think for just under $100 i get 3 shipped to Cali.

parts you have to replace, O-rings and i use universal poppets because sometimes they are thrashed.

 

[Summa_Brewologica]

Anyone use one of these for 5 gallon batches? Or would that 6 gallon be more practical? Thinking about krausen.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/ball-lock-torpedo-keg-10-gal.html

 

[Spikybits]

Anyone use one of these for 5 gallon batches? Or would that 6 gallon be more practical? Thinking about krausen.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/ball-lock-torpedo-keg-10-gal.html

for a 10 gallon, you could prob do 8-9 gallons. def 9 if you use femcap and keep under pressure

edit - i do about 4.5g in 5g ball lock kegs w/o femcap

 

[Summa_Brewologica]

for a 10 gallon, you could prob do 8-9 gallons. def 9 if you use femcap and keep under pressure

I was thinking of getting the 6 gallon for 5 gallon batches but saw that 10 gallon for a little more money and would give me plenty of headspace. Just wondering if I’m too concerned about it and should stick with that 6 gallon.

 

[Spikybits]

I was thinking of getting the 6 gallon for 5 gallon batches but saw that 10 gallon for a little more money and would give me plenty of headspace. Just wondering if I’m too concerned about it and should stick with that 6 gallon.

you should be fine with fermenting up to 9g without issue in a 10g keg

 

[Nate R]

I was thinking of getting the 6 gallon for 5 gallon batches but saw that 10 gallon for a little more money and would give me plenty of headspace. Just wondering if I’m too concerned about it and should stick with that 6 gallon.

Yeah- why not get the 10 gallon for a few more bucks. Might be worth it down the line. Wether you use a 5,6, or 10 gallon keg- make sure it is properly cleaned, sanitized, etc.

 

[Knightshade]

I was thinking of getting the 6 gallon for 5 gallon batches but saw that 10 gallon for a little more money and would give me plenty of headspace. Just wondering if I’m too concerned about it and should stick with that 6 gallon.

While I haven't measured to see how accurate the markers are on my Foundry, I suspect that can't be ridiculously off. I say that because I had 6 gallons ready to transfer into my Torpedo 6G and did so and had 3L of crud that I didn't. I did put some Fermcap in there when I pitched the yeast and hooked up a blowoff tube. Never saw any gunk get up into the tube.

My biggest frustration is that I've had to tilt the damn thing when racking to keg. 1st time it only finished about 1/2 on its own (and that damn thing is heavy to hold there when half full), this last transfer which was last night got about 75% through. If that is as good as it gets...I guess I'll take it but I cut the stupid tube length to just reach past the hump at the bottom, and have a filter on it at the lowest setting.

 

[Summa_Brewologica]

While I haven't measured to see how accurate the markers are on my Foundry, I suspect that can't be ridiculously off. I say that because I had 6 gallons ready to transfer into my Torpedo 6G and did so and had 3L of crud that I didn't. I did put some Fermcap in there when I pitched the yeast and hooked up a blowoff tube. Never saw any gunk get up into the tube.

My biggest frustration is that I've had to tilt the damn thing when racking to keg. 1st time it only finished about 1/2 on its own (and that damn thing is heavy to hold there when half full), this last transfer which was last night got about 75% through. If that is as good as it gets...I guess I'll take it but I cut the stupid tube length to just reach past the hump at the bottom, and have a filter on it at the lowest setting.

I have a flotit 2.0 on order. I’m hoping that will replace cutting dip tubes. I’m also hoping to avoid having to use fermcap, although it’s always there if I need it. My fear with the 6 gallon is not having enough headspace. I’m leaning toward getting a 10 gallon.

 

[Knightshade]

You planning on lifting that sucker up on the counter when you do your transfers? Not a huge difference I suppose, but

12 vs. 27 lbs + 50 lbs of beer. Depending on how your day went, 62 vs. 77 lbs squat to upright row onto 30' counter, then push back could really suck...

 

[Summa_Brewologica]

You planning on lifting that sucker up on the counter when you do your transfers? Not a huge difference I suppose, but

12 vs. 27 lbs + 50 lbs of beer. Depending on how your day went, 62 vs. 77 lbs squat to upright row onto 30' counter, then push back could really suck...

I’m not worried about the weight. I lift regularly and one lift into the chamber is totally fine with me. I also brew in a foundry and would pump transfer on the floor and haul it.

Trust me I’d much prefer to get the 6 gallon for space but the 10 gallon seems more versatile.

 

[dirkomatic]

I have a flotit 2.0 on order. I’m hoping that will replace cutting dip tubes. I’m also hoping to avoid having to use fermcap, although it’s always there if I need it. My fear with the 6 gallon is not having enough headspace. I’m leaning toward getting a 10 gallon.

I've had no problems with headspace on the 6 gallon after 5 brews. I don't use ferrmcap and use a blow off tube. The problem I have experienced is my floating dip tube getting clogged and having to use high pressure to unclog it.

 

[Knightshade]

I’m not worried about the weight. I lift regularly and one lift into the chamber is totally fine with me. I also brew in a foundry and would pump transfer on the floor and haul it.

Trust me I’d much prefer to get the 6 gallon for space but the 10 gallon seems more versatile.

Yeah..I get that. I just did this with the other day with my 6G and my height is more of an issue than the weight. I suspect as I get older that may become an issue, but hopefully nothing I need to worry about for a little while longer. Space is an issue for me, so imagining myself lugging a 10G vs 6G up into the attic space doesn’t seem particularly appealing. Maybe just brew (and drink) more to not need storing is the answer? Not likely, but the notion is entertaining at least

I've had no problems with headspace on the 6 gallon after 5 brews. I don't use ferrmcap and use a blow off tube. The problem I have experienced is my floating dip tube getting clogged and having to use high pressure to unclog it.

I’ve been using fermcap on mine purely out of fear. Knowing that you’ve had no issues is great knowledge.

Are you using a filter on your floating dip tube? Cold crashing?

 

[Summa_Brewologica]

I've had no problems with headspace on the 6 gallon after 5 brews. I don't use ferrmcap and use a blow off tube. The problem I have experienced is my floating dip tube getting clogged and having to use high pressure to unclog it.

I did a 4 gallon batch in a 5 gallon keg and it resulted in a bad blow off but it still didn’t clog up the gas post. I took off the gas disconnect and would spray with star San both on the post and in the disconnect to kinda rinse everything out and that seemed to be ok but I’d still rather not do they. Is the 6 gallon wider than the average 5 gallon keg?

edit: also curious about your floating dip tube and if you have a filter on it. I’m opting for the flotit that has that double in line filter in hopes that takes care of that.

 

[McMullan]

Sankey kegs are much better than corny kegs for fermentation. And they can now be adapted to accept ball locks. A 30L/8 gallon keg should be fine for most single batch fermentations. Re floating dip tubes, they've been used in UK casks for years and, apart from being very effective, I believe the much simpler designs are available in the US too. They work great in sankey kegs. Don't be put off by the fact they're made from plastic (FDA approved polypropylene and stainless steel mesh), my first one has been in continuous use for 4 years now and still looks new.

 

[dirkomatic]

I did a 4 gallon batch in a 5 gallon keg and it resulted in a bad blow off but it still didn’t clog up the gas post. I took off the gas disconnect and would spray with star San both on the post and in the disconnect to kinda rinse everything out and that seemed to be ok but I’d still rather not do they. Is the 6 gallon wider than the average 5 gallon keg?

edit: also curious about your floating dip tube and if you have a filter on it. I’m opting for the flotit that has that double in line filter in hopes that takes care of that.

6 gallon is 9.125” diameter, and 27.25” tall. Imperceptibly different in diameter from my pin lock kegs. But looks like .625" larger in diameter than standard ball lock kegs.

I have used both the Torpedo Keg Buoy without a filter and the Flotit with the filter. Both clogged.

 

[Gusso]

Sankey kegs are much better than corny kegs for fermentation. And they can now be adapted to accept ball locks. A 30L/8 gallon keg should be fine for most single batch fermentations. Re floating dip tubes, they've been used in UK casks for years and, apart from being very effective, I believe the much simpler designs are available in the US too. They work great in sankey kegs. Don't be put off by the fact they're made from plastic (FDA approved polypropylene and stainless steel mesh), my first one has been in continuous use for 4 years now and still looks new.

I use one of those cask widge floats in my 10 gallon Torpedo keg for some of my fermentations. The Torpedo and widge float are a nice combo.

 

[Basspaleale]

Save yourself some $$$ and purchase a 1/2 barrel to use as a fermenter. That's what I did, I have 2 corny's I use for serving kegs and it's set up for a complete closed system. I even harvest the yeast using the closed system. All CO2, no oxygen.

 

[Gusso]

6 gallon is 9.125” diameter, and 27.25” tall. Imperceptibly different in diameter from my pin lock kegs. But looks like .625" larger in diameter than standard ball lock kegs.

I have used both the Torpedo Keg Buoy without a filter and the Flotit with the filter. Both clogged.

Trong, the inventor of the FLOTit, sent me the new FLOTit 2.0 to try out. Much bigger, double filter. Seems to work well. Trong stands behind his products and will directly offer advice. He actually called me when I had a question about his SPUNDit. Btw, I love the SPUNDit.

 

[Gusso]

Anyone use one of these for 5 gallon batches? Or would that 6 gallon be more practical? Thinking about krausen.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/ball-lock-torpedo-keg-10-gal.html

I got one last year for Christmas. I love it for pressurized fermentations!

 

[Summa_Brewologica]

Trong, the inventor of the FLOTit, sent me the new FLOTit 2.0 to try out. Much bigger, double filter. Seems to work well. Trong stands behind his products and will directly offer advice. He actually called me when I had a question about his SPUNDit. Btw, I love the SPUNDit.

Man…I have been trying to avoid finding an excuse to buy the SPUNDit.

 

[Gusso]

He actually sent me one to try out. I loved it and bought another. I had been out of brewing for 7-8 years and just got back about 1.5 years ago. I had never heard of pressurized fermentations until Trong mentioned it to me. He sent me the SPUNDit and my brewing world changed!

 

[Summa_Brewologica]

He actually sent me one to try out. I loved it and bought another. I had been out of brewing for 7-8 years and just got back about 1.5 years ago. I had never heard of pressurized fermentations until Trong mentioned it to me. He sent me the SPUNDit and my brewing world changed!

I have a blowtie so I really don’t need it but I want it

 

[Summa_Brewologica]

I got one last year for Christmas. I love it for pressurized fermentations!

And you do five gallon batches? if so I assume there is no issues getting to pressure with that extra headspace? Or do you pressurize after pitching?

 

[Summa_Brewologica]

I got one last year for Christmas. I love it for pressurized fermentations!

One more question: is it a pain to clean?

 

[Gusso]

One more question: is it a pain to clean?

It's very easy to clean as it's not very deep.

 

[Gusso]

And you do five gallon batches? if so I assume there is no issues getting to pressure with that extra headspace? Or do you pressurize after pitching?

Yes, I do 5 gallon batches. No issues at all.

 

[Summa_Brewologica]

Yes, I do 5 gallon batches. No issues at all.

Ok one more for real: what did you do for the initial cleaning? Like right out of the box cleaning.

 

[Gusso]

I just cleaned it with oxyclean.