Pressure barrel for a fermenter?

[Aethelstan]

My current air locked fermenter is on loan from my friend and I was given an old pressure barrel the other day. It needs a new tap, but once that is done can I airlock it and ferment in that, using the tap as a convenient way to rack off the lees? I would use it for the smaller kits, such as the 25 pint fruit beers so I would still have some head space.

Cheers :)

 

[bobsbeer]

No problem as long as you can fit an airlock. Cleaning might be a bit awkward with the narrow top.

 

[Aethelstan]

This one has one of the bigger lids, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered :)

 

[evanvine]

To my mind it's not even necessary to fit an airlock, a tea towel draped over the top will keep the dirt and fly out!

 

[YoungJames]

To my mind it's not even necessary to fit an airlock, a tea towel draped over the top will keep the dirt and fly out!

I've never done a fermentation without an airlock, are they any pro's (or con's). I bottle all my beers and have two pressure barrels in the shed so this is quite interesting.

 

[evanvine]

The CO2 from the ferment forms a protective blanket over the wort.
Unless your FV is in a howling gale, all you need to guard against is **** and flies.
When using a demijohn, a cotton wool bung will work.

 

[Aethelstan]

I have only used the bucket type FV's for ale, but I feel uncomfortable not seeing an airlock bubbling away, hence wondering about using the barrel with an airlock. Right now I have something else in my friends 5 gallon FV with an airlock and I feel secure watching it bubble away. I guess it's a case if OCD with me ;£

 

[evanvine]

Fair comment, do what ever makes you feel happy!