What do you use as a fermenter?

[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.

 

[medusa1066]

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

That looks awesome! Especially for Dry hopping with a bag!

 

[BlakeL]

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

Where do you buy these?

 

[cheezydemon3]

14.5 gallons is easy to carry.......BULLSPIT!!!ahem. 5 gallons sometimes makes my back sore.

I usually ferment in the carefully sanitized skulls of my enemies.

 

[ArcticBear]

lets seee...

1x 5 gallon glass carboy
2x 6.5 gallon glass carboy
1x 6 gallon beer bucket
1x 7.5 gallon wine (beer) bucket
1x 16.5 gallon plastic bucket with locking ring (looks like a big white trash can)

ive recently started doing the primary in a bucket because cleaning is a heck of a lot easier and if i'm going to dryhop or secondary it goes into the glass carboys

 

[evandena]

14.5 gallons is easy to carry.......BULLSPIT!!!ahem. 5 gallons sometimes makes my back sore.

I usually ferment in the carefully sanitized skulls of my enemies.

Lol, the barrels don't make 11 gallons lighter, bit the shape and handles make it possible for two people to carry without much pain.

 

[cheezydemon3]

Lol, the barrels don't make 11 gallons lighter, bit the shape and handles make it possible for two people to carry without much pain.

I'm sold! Try temp controlling 10 small 1/2 gallon skulls. Talk about a PITA....

 

[evandena]

Where do you buy these?

eBay. Guy has a whole garage full.

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=200722953279

 

[evandena]

Where do you buy these?

eBay. Guy has a whole garage full.

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=200722953279

 

[blaze379]

I use and love the 40 gallon conical tanks from Plastic Mart. Have 6, always filled. Built a chiller room and have no problem controlling temps. Even lager in them

 

[cheezydemon3]

eBay. Guy has a whole garage full.

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=200722953279

But what sort of building are they in???

eBay. Guy has a whole garage full you moron.

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=200722953279

OH!!! Thanks!

 

[david00001]

I have been trying out this thing which is 30 gallons. It cost $45. I like being able to bang-up one starter for the whole batch (12gal). But then you have to use oxygen, and there are other problems.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JFL6X8/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[bleme]

I have been trying out this thing which is 30 gallons. It cost $45. I like being able to bang-up one starter for the whole batch (12gal). But then you have to use oxygen, and there are other problems.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JFL6X8/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

That thing looks like a PITA to move!

 

[604brewer]

Kitchen sink, stainless of course, Saran wrap on top.

 

[evandena]

Kitchen sink, stainless of course, Saran wrap on top.

Pics or it never happened.