National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: Motorbikeman on January 18, 2016, 06:20:41 PM

Title: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: Motorbikeman on January 18, 2016, 06:20:41 PM
I just got a couple of these of a guy on Adverts for a 10 each.  Apparently he has loads. 
http://www.curtec.com/en/products/drums/wide-neck-drums/detail/wide-neck-drum-55-litres 
http://www.adverts.ie/crazy-random-stuff/plastic-container/9593771

They would make a great diy kettle or fermenter.  Thick sturdy stackable and handles.   Seal is quite good also.

Im not affiliated to him , just rekon they would suit the brewing crew . 

Title: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: Leann ull on January 18, 2016, 07:59:07 PM
Storage, perfect, and they look quality, boilers absolutely not as HDPE has no heat resistance,not sure of the stability of that pigment to alcohol either
Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: 045blueman on January 18, 2016, 08:10:17 PM
That's me. Drop me a mail if you need any. Thanks.
Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: Leann ull on January 18, 2016, 08:12:53 PM
How much grain can you get in each?
Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: Motorbikeman on January 18, 2016, 08:27:36 PM
 just checked.  It not made of the same stuff as regular Polypropylene buckets we use for brewing. 

It seems the melting point is typically in the range 120 to 180 °C

Where as the melting point in the PP buckets sold for boiling is 130 to 171 °C


Might be worth a test with a cheap Argos kettle element . 

This chart sugests its ok with Alcohol . What do you think?    Im sure there test are  done with stronger stuff than beer and its ok after 30 days..
  http://www.calpaclab.com/chemical-compatibility-charts/
Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: Greg2013 on January 18, 2016, 08:51:53 PM
Quote from: CH on January 18, 2016, 07:59:07 PM
Storage, perfect, and they look quality, boilers absolutely not as HDPE has no heat resistance,not sure of the stability of that pigment to alcohol either

Would they not be suitable so for use as a fermenter you think CH ? :)
Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: dcalnan on January 18, 2016, 09:06:05 PM
Quote from: CH on January 18, 2016, 08:12:53 PM
How much grain can you get in each?

just did the maths, American's say they get  5lbs per us gallon , which works out at ~.6kg per Litre. so a 50 litre should hold ~30kg so a full sack with room to spare.

Any chance you're ever in Cork, 045blueman?
Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: Leann ull on January 18, 2016, 10:18:47 PM
Actually based on those dimensions its closer to 75L ;)
Don't confuse Melt and Service Temperature, if you were considering a plastic bucket for boiling PP would be the way to go, these are not PP.

The plastic pressure barrels are opaque and have no colourant in them or the older white ones have TI02 some of which are fine for food contact. A lot of these barrels have the food on an inner protective liner and there is no direct contact, something I saw recently with a US fermenter.

If we can find out what their original use was, I'm sure they are grand, just wouldn't want anyone having Viagra off flavour in their beer.
Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: Motorbikeman on January 18, 2016, 10:47:45 PM
They are no good at all with heat. :(   

I threw a kettle full of boiling water into one to see what would happen. 

Instantly deformed in the base.

You're right again CH.     still great for grain storage .. 


Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: Leann ull on January 18, 2016, 11:30:30 PM
ah balls :(, again great as a storage vessel and good price 
Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: 045blueman on January 18, 2016, 11:34:30 PM
Drop me a mail if you need any.
Thanks
Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: Leann ull on January 19, 2016, 08:03:04 AM
Can you tell us without getting fired what was in them in their 1st life?
Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: DEMPSEY on January 19, 2016, 10:24:04 AM
Y'is should allway's listen to CH when talking about plastic,s if you want to father children in the future  ;)  ;D 
Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: aweisse on January 19, 2016, 05:49:52 PM
Quote from: dcalnan on January 18, 2016, 09:06:05 PM
Quote from: CH on January 18, 2016, 08:12:53 PM
How much grain can you get in each?

just did the maths, American's say they get  5lbs per us gallon , which works out at ~.6kg per Litre. so a 50 litre should hold ~30kg so a full sack with room to spare.

Any chance you're ever in Cork, 045blueman?

Im in cork as well, ide take 2
Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: googoomuck on January 19, 2016, 06:15:18 PM
You ever around Wexford?
Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: Motorbikeman on January 19, 2016, 06:35:51 PM
By the looks of them, they would  take a full sack of grain. 

Either they have been washed out or what ever was in them was in liners.   

There is no odor from them and the seem squeaky clean.   

Here they are against a 25l bucket.
(http://s17.postimg.org/gjqqeqxzz/P1020083.jpg)
(http://s17.postimg.org/qwd10trj3/P1020084.jpg)
(http://s17.postimg.org/5y6v2qrof/P1020085.jpg)
Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: Leann ull on January 19, 2016, 06:45:02 PM
Good stuff
Title: Re: Plastic 50 l drums on Adverts.
Post by: cruiscinlan on January 21, 2016, 11:27:39 AM
Do you ever come into Dublin at all?