Is there a go to fermentor for 10L brews?

[ThePour]

Hi all,

I currently have a ~25l fermentation bucket, a similar size bottling bucket (smaller diameter), and a 10l bucket. The last two don't appear to be airtight.

Is there a recommended go to bucket, jerry can, vessel, for 1/2 size brews that people use?

Would something like this work ok?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12L-PLAS...WATER-CONTAINER-CARRIER-BOT-A3X7/273049946356

What I'd like is something that has a relatively small footprint and I could fit in a fridge if I go down that route...

Thanks in advance.

 

[MyQul]

Yes that would work.

A FV doesnt need to be air tight.

Youngs do a 10L FV (I have a couple)

https://www.home-brew-online.com/equipment-c40/10-litre-fermentation-vessel-lid-youngs-p2767

 

[Petrolhead]

I've used two of these for a couple of years:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Litre-PLAS...keywords=water+carrier&qid=1579610756&sr=8-12

drilled a hole in the lid to take an airlock and they have worked fine. They are easy to clean, two will fit in my brew fridge which you can't say about some fermenters and the handle is great for lifting and shaking. I fancy a 'nicer' fermenter at some point but there has always been a better bit of my equipment worth upgrading first.

 

[Graz]

If you want some head space there's a 15L bucket too: https://www.home-brew-online.com/equipment-c40/15-litre-fermentation-vessel-lid-youngs-p3150

The odd short brew I've done I've just used the normal 5 gallon buckets anyway. Not had a problem.

 

[the_quick]

It is common misconseption, that fermenter needs to be airtight - it doesn't. Covering it is enough. There are lots of breweries that ferment in open fermenters.
As long as it is water tight and food grade, it is good enough. You can even use stotage boxes.
Airlock activity is not necessary good way to see if fermentation has finished, hydrometer readings are much better.

 

[Hoddy]

Hi all,

I currently have a ~25l fermentation bucket, a similar size bottling bucket (smaller diameter), and a 10l bucket. The last two don't appear to be airtight.

Is there a recommended go to bucket, jerry can, vessel, for 1/2 size brews that people use?

Would something like this work ok?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12L-PLAS...WATER-CONTAINER-CARRIER-BOT-A3X7/273049946356

What I'd like is something that has a relatively small footprint and I could fit in a fridge if I go down that route...

Thanks in advance.

If your mad keen on doing 1/2 size batches then one of these should do you well

https://www.brewuk.co.uk/speidel-12l-fermentor.html

 

[AXW123]

I use a plastic conical 11 litre fast ferment - much easier to remove trunk saves racking.

 

[ThePour]

Thanks all. All very helpful advice.

 

[matt76]

I have 3 of these ones - they have enough head space for "very active" fermentations

 

[The Baron]

If you want some head space there's a 15L bucket too: https://www.home-brew-online.com/equipment-c40/15-litre-fermentation-vessel-lid-youngs-p3150

The odd short brew I've done I've just used the normal 5 gallon buckets anyway. Not had a problem.

I too have 2 x 10ltr buckets but would use a 15ltr one if doing 10ltr batches on a regular basis to allow for any big initial fermenting

 

[An Ankoù]

Hi all,

I currently have a ~25l fermentation bucket, a similar size bottling bucket (smaller diameter), and a 10l bucket. The last two don't appear to be airtight.

Is there a recommended go to bucket, jerry can, vessel, for 1/2 size brews that people use?e

Would something like this work ok?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12L-PLASTIC-OUTDOOR-JERRY-CAN-WITH-POURING-TAP-WATER-CONTAINER-CARRIER-BOT-A3X7/273049946356e taps, however, are cra

What I'd like is something that has a relatively small footprint and I could fit in a fridge if I go down that route...

Thanks in advance.

I didn't know if you can find these anywhere in the UK. The 11 litres is for the beer with plenty of head space. I do 12 litre brews in them and never had a problem. They're cheap and essentially good. I've got 6 of them. The taps, however, are crap and will need replacing. (The threaded part splits).
https://www.saveur-biere.com/fr/fermentation-de-la-biere/27995-seau-de-fermentation-11l.html

Otherwise Speidel do a 12 litre (full) jobby and they're very robust. I've got the larger ones. Available from BrewUK
https://www.brewuk.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=speidel

 

[samale]

Someone on here as said that head space can have a negative effect on beer. Personally I don't know if this is true. I brew 23 litres in a 30 litre drum.

 

[The Baron]

Can't see why samale as long as you do not keep lifting the lid it should be full of Co2. Unless somebody knows why?

 

[samale]

Can't see why samale as long as you do not keep lifting the lid it should be full of Co2. Unless somebody knows why?

That would be my thinking as well. I understand the reason when brewing a Neipa that you would limit the exposure

 

[The Baron]

Even a Neipa should be ok as Co2 is heavier than Oxygen and as long as you leave the lid and do not remove until transfer it should be ok. I have not had a problem with my Neipa's. the new kids on the block do pressure closed fermentation which I am sure should be the best way but again it is not essential IMO

 

[samale]

I have given up trying to brew a neipa until I move from bottles to kegs

 

[The Baron]

If you bottle any leftover Neipa try and fill the bottle to with no more than a inch and on top off with foam even let it spill over if you need to. Also (do not know if they work) you can now buy Oxygen scavenging bottle caps, I got mine from THBC

 

[An Ankoù]

Someone on here as said that head space can have a negative effect on beer. Personally I don't know if this is true. I brew 23 litres in a 30 litre drum.

I don't think it's true. Breweries have used open fermentation for years and some still do. Surely that's infinite headspace.

 

[matt76]

I was listening to a recent BBR podcast today (January 16, 2020 - Dry Hopping Hazy Pale Ales), Scott Janish was talking about dry hopping and the negative impact of oxygen - certainly worth a listen, I'm also tempted to give his book a go.

Based on what he said I might go back to adding dry hop pellets through the airlock bung hole like I did when I was a newbie - but rather than worrying about contamination it's more to keep that CO2 blanket in there.