Demijohn storage after fermentation

[sion]

Hi,

I have some 5L glass demijohns that I was planning to transfer my beer into, after the fermentation stage.

Leaving for 4 weeks or so (in the garage), before bringing inside to drink over a few days.

However, I understand there is a risk of glass exploding under the pressure, after priming.

I have some bored rubber stoppers with air valves and also solid rubber stoppers.

Would it be ok, with correct type of stopper? As a precaution, is it better to use plastic safety cork bungs?

Also, will the beer keep its gas, if I am opening the demijohn each time to pour a glass?

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi!
The short answer is - DON'T!
Demijohns are not designed to withstand the pressure of carbonation.

 

[sion]

OK - not after carbonation then (phew).

For brewing ale, will the glass demijohn's be ok for fermentation?

If my barrel is occupied, will a Youngs Fermentation Bucket hold pressure after carbonation? For transfer in a month or so.

 

[chesters-mild]

OK - not after carbonation then (phew).

For brewing ale, will the glass demijohn's be ok for fermentation?

If my barrel is occupied, will a Youngs Fermentation Bucket hold pressure after carbonation? For transfer in a month or so.

No, it will leak the Co2 gas - you could get a new pressure barrel from Wilco or your local HBS - not expensive and your beer will keep better
Cheers

 

[chewie]

Demijohns are fine for fermenting in but best left out of direct sunlight if they are clear, also highly unlikely that solid rubber bungs would stay in the neck of a DJ if you did try to carbonate beer/cider or wine in one, even a change in temp of 10 degrees or so can be enough to force one out.

If you want to carbonate your beer you need either a sealable bottle that can take the pressure, a dispensing barrel like a king keg or similar or a corny/mini keg.

 

[Robin54]

OK - not after carbonation then (phew).

For brewing ale, will the glass demijohn's be ok for fermentation?

If my barrel is occupied, will a Youngs Fermentation Bucket hold pressure after carbonation? For transfer in a month or so.

Agree with the comments so far. Go and get a PB from Wilkos. Your nearest one is probably in Burgess Hill or Crawley.

 

[serum]

Demijohns are great for extended conditioning but as mentioned don't carb them up

 

[sion]

I understand for brewing ale demijohns are ok for fermentation and extended conditioning.

However, for carbonation, use pressure barrel or sealable bottles only.

What else can I use the demijohns for? Wine, mead etc.?

 

[Fil]

get into seasonal country wines if your desperate to use demijons, start with bramble sprouts er Now and follow the fruits and flowers available near you. there should be free crops to keep you going most of the year if you forage about a bit, come winter you can do supermarket parsnip and tomato jobbies

 

[MyQul]

I understand for brewing ale demijohns are ok for fermentation and extended conditioning.

However, for carbonation, use pressure barrel or sealable bottles only.

What else can I use the demijohns for? Wine, mead etc.?

I dont know anything about them other than I think they're super easy to make, but @chippy_tea is keen on WOWs have a look at the link in his signature

 

[chewie]

What else can I use the demijohns for? Wine, mead etc.?

Look at the WoW thread for easy to make wines from supermarket juices, you can also get small 6 bottle wine kits that will come with everything you need except sugar usually, larger 30 bottle kits are better value than 6 bottle ones and are best fermented using larger FV or carboys.

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=49462

 

[sion]

I have found a recipe for Metheglin, which rather appeals to me, due to availability of ingredients (at this time of year) and its Welsh origins.