100 Litre Fermenter

[fritz and sauce]

I am thinking about getting a 100 litre fermenter. I have a suitable area for it, which is constantly at 15 degrees. Being able to make 5 kegs at once and letting them mature seems like a good way to get ahead with maturing kegs. I assume they get better with age like bottles.

Is it a matter of just using 4 cans prepared in the suitable manner, adding the water and the sprinkling in 4 sachets of yeast. Adding the yeast into such a large amount of liquid is the area which concerns me. Also if you brewed only 2 brews ( or cans of goo ) in a 100 litre container which would only be half full ( or half empty ) would this be asking for trouble. Beerbelly here in Adelaide sells these 100 Lt fermenters with all the trimmings for $79.95. Thanks in advance for anyone prepared to give an opinion.

 

[Bizier]

It is going to depend on the gravity of what you are brewing, but it would be a good idea if you are putting all of your eggs in one basket, to treat it reeeeeeal good. No-one wants to have 5 kegs worth of bad beer. I would be at least making a starter. And I would want the entire volume boiled and sterile-oxygenated. It would be crushing to have that go sour on you.

 

[unrealeous]

treat it reeeeeeal good.

+1
For such a large batch - I'd prepare a sizable yeast starter before hand (ie like a 10 litre starter) 100 liters of bad beer would be a bit of a downer...
100 litres of beer is bloody heavy - you won't be able to move the fermenter when full unless you put it on wheels.
Having the fermenter half full is not an issue.

 

[ekul]

I think i remember reading about a guy on here using a 44 gallon drum to ferment in. He was using 9 cans a pop if i recall correctly. Maybe do a search for that thread, there might be some good pointers in it.

 

[fritz and sauce]

Thanks for the replies. The eggs all in one basket theory is always worth considering, but if the 100 Lt fermenter could be used from 1 can to 4 cans then it has some flexibility.

 

[ekul]

I think this is the guy i was thinking of. http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/inde...showtopic=46696

I'd love to ferment in 200L drums one day, then i'd hardly even run out.

 

[alowen474]

100 litres will be just fine. You don't need to do anything different. The temps will be a bit higher in larger quantities but you 15 degrees will handle that.
It is a good opportunity to see how the flavour of your beer changes over time as it conditions and matures.
I used to do 60 litres for the same reason.
60 plastic fermenters are about $50
If you use dried yeast, pitch 1g/2L and you wont have any probs.

 

[argon]

Thanks for the replies. The eggs all in one basket theory is always worth considering, but if the 100 Lt fermenter could be used from 1 can to 4 cans then it has some flexibility.

Would love a couple of bigger fermenters... Would be niceo push out some bigger volumes.

My only concern for suh big fermenter is bottling/kegging. I ferment in a fridge and realy wouldn't be able to lift it out to drain the contents.

I assume you'll need to keep it pretty high if you plan to get the contents out at bottling/kegging time