Fermenters/Taps

[LavaChild]

Hello all,

I have a quick question regarding fermenters. My research is limited to what I've seen in person at Wilko and what I've subsequently seen when looking at a number of online stores.

From what I can tell the options available for a budget fermenter are (a) buckets (Wilko part 0022555), (b) 'wide neck' fermenters (Wilko part 0075885) and (c) carboys/demijohns. I'd rather avoid (c) to begin with and I've fortunately had a chance to look at (a) and (b) in Wilko. At that time I'd decided I'd rather (b) as, although slightly more expensive, it looked more substantially built and I liked the screw on lid and handles.

Having now searched online the 'wide neck' fermenters appear to be called 'wine fermenters'. Is there a reason for this? Is there any reason I cannot (or should not) use these for beer fermentation? Any issues with this?

Assuming that I'm okay to use a 'wide neck' I'd like to get a spigot/tap fitted. Once again looking at this I'm at a loss which one to go for... Using Brew UK as a resource (appear to have a good range for research purposes) it seems possible taps are:

Drum Tap,Plastic With Back Nut
http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/otherequi ... k-nut.html

Inline Syphon Tap
http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/otherequi ... n-tap.html

Quick serve replacement barrel tap
http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/otherequi ... e-tap.html

Wide Neck Fermenter Tap
http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/otherequi ... r-tap.html

What's the difference here?

Finally, I've seen 'Deluxe Sparkler Tap' (http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/otherequi ... r-tap.html) - At almost 5 times the price of the other taps is this really worth the additional outlay?

Sorry for such a long post but any answers to the above really really appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[naturals]

The Deluxe Sparkler Tap appears to be for dispensing the beer rather than for transferring between vessels. The only thing I can think of is that this offers some sort of aeration that could be unwanted if you're say going from primary to secondary fermentation. The Inline Syphon Tap is for small syphon tubing - it's not suitable for connecting up to a FV (I own one myself - they're no more than a cm or two in length). The others look more or less the same. I do not have any experience with them but I'm sure someone else will be able to clarify the differences.

 

[Dave1970]

I have all 3 of the others on different fermenters

They're all fine for the job, personally I prefer this one it's quicker to turn on & off than the first one and a bit more robust than the other. One thing in favour of this one is that a 'little bottler' will fit it, useful if you might end up using your fermenter for bottling.

 

[LavaChild]

Excellent. Just the info I needed - Thanks.

Going back a little:

From what I can tell the options available for a budget fermenter are (a) buckets (Wilko part 0022555), (b) 'wide neck' fermenters (Wilko part 0075885) and (c) carboys/demijohns. I'd rather avoid (c) to begin with and I've fortunately had a chance to look at (a) and (b) in Wilko. At that time I'd decided I'd rather (b) as, although slightly more expensive, it looked more substantially built and I liked the screw on lid and handles.

Having now searched online the 'wide neck' fermenters appear to be called 'wine fermenters'. Is there a reason for this? Is there any reason I cannot (or should not) use these for beer fermentation? Any issues with this?

Any reason I cannot (or should not) use a 'wide neck wine fermenter' for beer fermentation? Thank you again.

 

[Fil]

No reason at all. they are great for beer especially if u need to lump it about a bit its way mor robust than a flimsy walled bucket.

for taps i use waddington and Duval water butt taps with a hozelock end as they are foodsafe and its easy to click on a 1/2" hose fitted with a hozelock fitting to drain quickly, as the beer approaches the tap outlet just steadily tip keeping the tap outlet submerged an u can draw most of the beer cleanly off the sediment.

 

[LavaChild]

No reason at all. they are great for beer especially if u need to lump it about a bit its way mor robust than a flimsy walled bucket.

for taps i use waddington and Duval water butt taps with a hozelock end as they are foodsafe and its easy to click on a 1/2" hose fitted with a hozelock fitting to drain quickly, as the beer approaches the tap outlet just steadily tip keeping the tap outlet submerged an u can draw most of the beer cleanly off the sediment.

Are Hozelock fittings food safe?

Can you please link to an example of the tap with the correct hozelock fitting that I'd need? Also, the fitting that I'd require for the hose? I think I might just go with a standard wine tap for now but this is interesting info for future (and who knows, if I can convince myself it's the right thing I might just go ahead now...).

Cheers.

 

[Fil]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-Plastic ... 417b087ba3

hozelock fittings foodsafe?? strictly speaking probably not.. but i did buy the expensive branded hozelock fitting, and the beer is in minimal contact post cleaning and sanitising.. my risk.. the taps are foodsafe and they sit in the beer..
- if a worry then Vossy's silicone tube could be coaxed onto the tap spout for an alternative solution, not as quick on/off tho.


a 1/2" pvc tube (next size up from the 3/8" syphon tube) should be available thru most brewshops.. and when attached for filling a keg is a VERY QUICK drain due to the nominally wider bore of the tube.. less suitable for bottle filling tho as its very fast..

 

[LavaChild]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-Plastic-Hozelock-Hosepipe-Waterbutt-Barrel-Water-Butt-Tap-Beer-Home-Brew-/281237027747?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Plants_Bird_Bath_Feeder_CV&hash=item417b087ba3

hozelock fittings foodsafe?? strictly speaking probably not.. but i did buy the expensive branded hozelock fitting, and the beer is in minimal contact post cleaning and sanitising.. my risk.. the taps are foodsafe and they sit in the beer..
- if a worry then Vossy's silicone tube could be coaxed onto the tap spout for an alternative solution, not as quick on/off tho.


a 1/2" pvc tube (next size up from the 3/8" syphon tube) should be available thru most brewshops.. and when attached for filling a keg is a VERY QUICK drain due to the nominally wider bore of the tube.. less suitable for bottle filling tho as its very fast..

Thanks for the link. Looks good. Will keep it in mind. :)

 

[rpt]

I have 2 of these. One to ferment in and one to bottle from. Fully interchangeable if I use a secondary to lager or dry hop in.

 

[LavaChild]

Hello again! Can anybody tell me what size tubing I would require for a Wide Neck Fermenter Tap (http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/otherequi ... r-tap.html)... I'm sure some of you own this tap and have probably measured/worked it out already. Thanks.