What do you use as a fermenter?

[BrewerBear]

These: http://morebeer.com/search/104258 as soon as MoreBeer gets them back in stock.

I was looking at the 60l eta was 5/15 then changed to 5/21 now just backordered. Thats what is leaning me toward the 13 gallon cubes from austinhomebrew

 

[pfgonzo]

Looks like a really expensive plastic bucket.

It is, but for explosive brews (or those larger than 5ga), I hear only good things.

Plus they look spiffy.

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

spiffy is good...

 

[corkybstewart]

I have a variety-6.5 gallon buckets, glass carboys(6.5 and 5 gallon) and a 12.2 gallon stainless conical. All of them work well when used properly, but the glass one see a lot less use than the others.

 

[tre9er]

4 buckets, 6.5g each. I wish I had a large FV sometimes, but I rarely get 10g. of beer at a time. I should probably save my money for other probably-unnecessary brewery items I'm sure to spend it on...

 

[Antler]

Two 15 gallon barrels, four 6.5 gallon carboys, a 7.5 gallon bucket, and 1/4 barrel sanke.

Sanke will see its maiden ferment in two weeks.

 

[BrewerBear]

Went ahead and ordered the 13 gallon cube. Have to find a ten gallon batch to try in it now.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Or just ferment in your brew kettle (that's what I do)...the stainless makes temp control really easy.

I have 11 and 15 gal kettles that I ferment 7.75 gal, 1/4 keg batches in.

 

[medusa1066]

Glass Carboy, Winpak Plastic Jug, and Food Grade Lowe's Bucket "Lowes.....Let's Brew Something Together"

 

[BlakeL]

I'm using 3 one gallon jugs right now.

 

[cyclogenesis]

Two 6.5Gal glass carboys
two ~7gal Speidel ferment-whatevers

Using the glass more and more as it is fun to see what is going on...

 

[tre9er]

Glass Carboy, Winpak Plastic Jug, and Food Grade Lowe's Bucket "Lowes.....Let's Brew Something Together"

I too have used Menards buckets and their lids, self-drilled grommet hole and used 3/8" blowoff tube into juice container with grommeted lid on it as well. No plastic flavors, no infections.

 

[Phil1747]

Those of you that use 1/4 or 1/2 barrels what are you using for a air tight lid and if just using the shank that was on it how is it to clean since a carboy is hard enough to clean

 

[Golddiggie]

Those of you that use 1/4 or 1/2 barrels what are you using for a air tight lid and if just using the shank that was on it how is it to clean since a carboy is hard enough to clean

I've used several different things. The large universal bung (not the one for BB carboys) works well. You just need to push it all the way down. You can also use the orange carboy cap, just warm it up so that it's easier to get on it. There's the sanke fermenter kit from Brewer's Hardware too. I've used those, but now I have TC caps that have been adapted to be my own fermenter caps. Essentially, I took the idea from Brewer's Hardware but changed the compression fitting (for a racking cane) to one for a liquid ball lock post. I also removed the 1/2" OD fitting for either an airlock of blowoff tube. I kept the thermowell though, since it's really nice to have the inside temperature. To transfer, once finished, I simply take the airlock off the base for the ball lock post, slip a liquid dip tube (cut to leave a certain amount behind) and then install the liquid post (with poppet). I have a gas fitting installed in the top of the keg too, so I have an easy way to put CO2 in. Pushing the finished beer out this way allows me to make sure no oxygen hits the brew. It also allows me to fill the keg via it's liquid post (filling from the bottom).

 

[Starderup]

I have a 30L keg that has had the spear removed.

And some buckets and a carboy.

 

[metalpysko]

Can u use a bucket from home depot or is that a different type of plastic being used???

 

[tre9er]

Can u use a bucket from home depot or is that a different type of plastic being used???

I have used them before. Same plastic as ale pails. Make sure its not scratched up and sanitize it by filling with starsan/water a good while before racking beer into it. Many people use them. Batch size needs to be about 3.5 gallons or less though so you have room for krausen. Use blowoff tube (put bung in HDepot lid, 3/8" tubing into jar of starsan).

 

[metalpysko]

Thank you I'm gonna try a lambic with spontaneous fermentation

 

[tre9er]

I wouldn't keep anything in plastic for too long though. Long secondaries and such is probably best done in glass or stainless

 

[Starderup]

Good advice. Once you lose the positive pressure of the primary fermentation, you risk oxidation. Don't worry about autolysis, but...

 

[metalpysko]

Ok so once the fermentation has begone put the top on it?

 

[Starderup]

Keep it in the primary until you get the same hydometer reading two days in a row. Then you can bottle or do whatever you wish.

 

[metalpysko]

I was Gonna let it stay in the primary for 180 day then transfer in the secondary like a glass Carboy

 

[Starderup]

I wouldn't keep anything in plastic for too long though. Long secondaries and such is probably best done in glass or stainless

I was Gonna let it stay in the primary for 180 day then transfer in the secondary like a glass Carboy

six months in the primary should do it.

 

[Starderup]

ok, I'm just messing with him, because he is obviously messing with me.

 

[hoppymonkey]

3 quart glass, 1 gallon glass, 6 galllon glass, 7 gallon glass, 4 x 6.5 gallon plastic buckets, and a 1/4 bbl sanke so basically whatever i run across on CS for cheap.

 

[Antler]

Two 15 gallon barrels, four 6.5 gallon carboys, a 7.5 gallon bucket, and 1/4 barrel sanke.

Sanke will see its maiden ferment in two weeks.

I'm thinking about getting 3-4 V-vessels, but that could be a long ways off.

 

[tre9er]

Ok so once the fermentation has begone put the top on it?

Probably a joke? The lid goes on immediately after pitching yeast.

I wouldn't leave it in a plastic primary for 180 days...3-4 weeks tops, personally.

 

[metalpysko]

No im gonna try spontaneous fermentation with a lambic

 

[evandena]

I'm really happy with my 14.5 gallon Curtec barrels. They are air tight and easy to clean/carry.