30 bottle wine kit - can you do it in a fermenting bin

[bigsteve2007]

hey all,
Can i make a 30 bottle wine kit in a 5 gallon fermenting bin are will i need a bigger one?

 

[fermentall]

Hi BS,most 5gal fermenting bins are larger than 5gal.I always use them and have so far not had a single problem,go ahead and ferment away.

 

[corby_brewer]

As fermentall says, most 5 galon fementing bins will hold about 6 galons si it will be ok to use.

 

[bigsteve2007]

As fermentall says, most 5 galon fementing bins will hold about 6 galons si it will be ok to use.

Kwl thanks guys

 

[Moley]

For wine you really ought to be using a closed fermenter under airlock. The Young's ‘5 gallon’ fermenters are actually 30 litre and only cost a quid or two more than a bucket.

Edit: This type of thing, I think they are around £12 in Wilko.

 

[bigsteve2007]

For wine you really ought to be using a closed fermenter under airlock. The Young's ‘5 gallon’ fermenters are actually 30 litre and only cost a quid or two more than a bucket.

Edit: This type of thing, I think they are around £12 in Wilko.

whats the difference?

 

[Moley]

The difference is the time your brew could spend in the fermenter and that you want to keep air out. Take the lid off a bucket and most of the protective head of CO2 will be lost. Use a closed fermenter, get it started and then leave it alone until it's finished.

 

[andymacintyre]

How do you manage to take hydrometer readings from these narrow neck fermenters? Do you draw off a sample somehow?

Andy

 

[Moley]

The neck's around 5" diameter, plenty big enough to get your whole arm in when it comes to cleaning. I use a 50ml syringe or a turkey baster for test samples. However, I would only take one reading at the start and then one when all airlock activity seems to have finished and I think it might be ready to rack. Every time you remove the lid or go poking it with hydrometers is an opportunity for infection, and with the cost of a 5 gallon wine kit that's a significant investment.

 

[andymacintyre]

Aha - turkey baster is a good idea...!

Cheers
Andy