Something better than a carboy, but cheaper than a conical ?

[jimrush]

I really hate carboys. Mostly because of the cleaning aspects, so better bottles don't mean that much to me. I would like a container, preferably stainless that can just be opened and cleaned like a kettle. Conicals at $800+ is a bit excessive for me and I don't need the other yeast related features.

I've heard of people using kettles with a gasket, but that sounds a bit rigged up unless the kettle is made specifically to create a correct seal.

thx

[Grist Licker]

I hated cleaning carboys until I discovered PBW and Oxyclean. There's no scrubbing needed with those. Just soak and rinse. I actually like carboys because glass is as inert as it gets. I have not had one break yet though.

I have a 7.5 gallon SS turkey fryer pot in my brewing kit. I have been thinking about using that as a fermenter. I thought I would slit some vinyl tubing down one side and slip it over the edge where the lid meets the pot; then drill a hole for a bung and airlock.

I just can't justify the cost of a conical.

[one_dead_soul]

i think i might try one of these when i start doing more 10g batches http://morewinemaking.com/view_product/ ... _14_Gallon .. theres also a 28g one

[BrianL]

I like the 7 gallon stainless pot idea. Drill another hole in the lid for a c02 port for closed transfers, use a couple bungees to hold the lid tight and even add a ball valve and thermometer.

Do you ever get to the point where you have everything perfect and don't have to keep spending money on equipment?

[jimrush]

i think i might try one of these when i start doing more 10g batches http://morewinemaking.com/view_product/ ... _14_Gallon .. theres also a 28g one

I like that idea and the price point is much more reasonable. It looks like I could get into it for easy cleaning. I think I would have to put a hole in the top to use an airlock, but that shouldn't be too hard. I also like the variable models(http://morewinemaking.com/view_product/ ... _Fermenter), but the price doubles and I see a lot more nooks and crannies where bugs could hide out.

Anybody think the excessive headroom for 5-6 gallon batches would be a problem (oxidation) ?

[budrockdiesel]

Cornie kegs.
Can't shatter and kill you.
Cheaper than anything else.
Built in handles.
Dual purpose.
O-rings are replaceable to provide 0 pressure seal.
Can be opened to to inspected.
Just remove gas in valve and force on a tube or bubbler.
Ect.

[leaky_porch]

i remember seeing something a few years ago where a guy had cut the top off of a sanke keg and clamped a plexiglass top on it so that he could easily clean it and also see the fermentation. wish i still had the link...

[AndrewD]

i remember seeing something a few years ago where a guy had cut the top off of a sanke keg and clamped a plexiglass top on it so that he could easily clean it and also see the fermentation. wish i still had the link...

I remember seeing that a while back, too. I just saw a picture of it on Picasa yesterday using brewing related search terms.


Edit: And I found it again:
http://picasaweb.google.com/benuntu/BrewingProjects02#5281546690229360082