National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: Skittlebrau on January 29, 2018, 01:06:11 PM

Title: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: Skittlebrau on January 29, 2018, 01:06:11 PM
Has anyone got a recommendation for a 15-20L stainless steel fermenter?

I've been looking at the SS Brew Bucket Mini (13L) but it's a bit small, The next size SS Brew Bucket is 26L which is too big for my needs and fridge.
Title: Re: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: TheSumOfAllBeers on January 29, 2018, 01:52:11 PM
You could mod a stainless steel pot, there are some sites that will do this for you, but their pot sizes usually start at 50L
Title: Re: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: Skittlebrau on January 29, 2018, 02:30:02 PM
I've considered modifying a pot myself. It's the last resort option though as I'd rather not invest time sourcing the bits.

Something like a 20L version of the link below would be perfect but I'd prefer source it closer to home.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016-New-Wine-Fermenter-with-Thermometer-High-Quality-10L-20L-35L-54L-Barrel-Stainless-Steel-Fermenters/32836406999.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.60.196b2910jB2lza&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10065_10068_10344_10342_10343_10340_10341_10084_10083_10618_10304_10615_10307_10302_10313_10059_10534_100031_10103_441_10624_442_10623_10622_10621_10620_10142,searchweb201603_25,ppcSwitch_5&algo_expid=6e551601-ed41-4c8c-9a90-fe03ccfe18c3-9&algo_pvid=6e551601-ed41-4c8c-9a90-fe03ccfe18c3&priceBeautifyAB=4

Title: Re: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: Ceedee on January 29, 2018, 02:52:32 PM
What about this? https://www.brewuk.co.uk/gf-25l-fermentor.html

Title: Re: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: Skittlebrau on January 29, 2018, 03:22:22 PM
That's pretty close to what I'm looking for. Height for the grainfather fermenter including airlock is 620mm, there's approx 500mm height available in my under counter fridge unfortunately.
Title: Re: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: Skittlebrau on January 29, 2018, 03:31:45 PM
Liked the look of this one but also too tall and too much headspace for my brews

https://www.klarstein.co.uk/Home-appliances/Drinks-dispenser/Maischfest-Fermenting-Kettle-25-Litre-Fermentation-Tube-304-Stainless-Steel.html
Title: Re: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: TheSumOfAllBeers on January 29, 2018, 04:17:19 PM
The last one is a mash kettle so has elements etc.

You could save on height if you replace the airlock with a blow off tube. Possibly not enough height, but 500mm is tight.

You will have better chance of converted stock pots fitting your temp controller, but you will struggle to get something that will seal well
Title: Re: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: TheSumOfAllBeers on January 29, 2018, 04:21:19 PM
You could use a 20/30L sankey keg? At least one form has a short format?

You will need to consider disassembly and cleaning, as well as transfers, but it is doable
Title: Re: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: darren996 on February 02, 2018, 10:37:12 AM
Keep an eye on this seller, these were going for 70 ish euro before Christmas
I think it has a heating element in it but not 100% on that
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.ie%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F232572518999
Title: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: darren996 on February 02, 2018, 10:39:35 AM
Quote from: TheSumOfAllBeers on January 29, 2018, 04:21:19 PM
You could use a 20/30L sankey keg? At least one form has a short format?

You will need to consider disassembly and cleaning, as well as transfers, but it is doable
Plus one on this idea
I converted a sankey to fermenter and put a corny keg lid on with a hole for a thermowell , it's my favourite fermenter and easy to clean.
Title: Re: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: northernnick on February 06, 2018, 10:54:50 AM
Quote from: darren996 on February 02, 2018, 10:39:35 AM
Quote from: TheSumOfAllBeers on January 29, 2018, 04:21:19 PM
You could use a 20/30L sankey keg? At least one form has a short format?

You will need to consider disassembly and cleaning, as well as transfers, but it is doable
Plus one on this idea
I converted a sankey to fermenter and put a corny keg lid on with a hole for a thermowell , it's my favourite fermenter and easy to clean.
Any pics of his Darren?

Sent from my Swift 2 Plus using Tapatalk

Title: Re: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: darren996 on February 06, 2018, 10:56:28 AM
Will take a few pics tonight
Title: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: darren996 on February 06, 2018, 09:53:51 PM
Couple of pics
Cut a hole in the lid for thermowell and bung.

http://s.aliexpress.com/YVjmINFJ

Also installed a rotating as brewtech racking arm


(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180206/38fb25e910b9630ffb51d2198ea9cdd1.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180206/54eba363f599114582161ae4dd27bff6.jpg)
Title: Re: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: Skittlebrau on February 06, 2018, 10:43:55 PM
That's a tidy set up, fair play
Title: Re: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: imark on February 07, 2018, 09:41:18 AM
Is it just a matter of putting a hole on the wall of the keg and the racking arm is a weldless fitting?
Title: Re: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: darren996 on February 07, 2018, 06:51:25 PM
The one I have installed is weld less.  You install the tap, then racking arm slides into the back of the tap and you can twist the tap from the outside to tilt the racking arm
Title: Re: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: imark on February 08, 2018, 01:08:46 PM
Nice handy install. Guessing you need to disassemble after each batch for cleaning?
Title: Re: 15-20L Stainless Steel Fermenter
Post by: darren996 on February 08, 2018, 05:03:48 PM
Quote from: imark on February 08, 2018, 01:08:46 PM
Nice handy install. Guessing you need to disassemble after each batch for cleaning?
No more than any other fermenter really,  I always break down the fermenters, soak and stars an taps, lid and bungs, good practice

This is the tap I use
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180208/89770573a0858eca75fa69ac0c3845e5.jpg)