Got Some New Fermenters, How Should I Clean Them?

[Fat Bastard]

Picked up these 40 litre (I think) food grade PE drums from work. They've been used to transport tablets, which were bagged in food grade PE bags, bubble wrapped and placed into these drums.

The tablets are packaged, then the drums thrown out. For all intents and purposes, they are brand new. The tablet were a mild blood pressure drug, and it's unlikely that it's actually been in contact with the vessel. I've currently got them filled with tap water, sealed up and will leave them sitting in the sun for a week, after this, I'll clean and sanitise as normal. Will this be enough?

Also, how do I fit a tap to these? Are there any food grade skin plasic skin fittings available? Can I ferment 23l lots in these drums? Does the dead space matter?

Cheers!

 

[bullsneck]

Would make nice grain storage drums!

 

[rendo]

What a score!! Well done Mega jealous

Sitting in the sun, especially the heat wave we have today (am in sydney's north too) will do it good. I'd follow up a few days in the sun with about a week with a strong napisan soak. If they were nasty then I'd hit it with bleach/water/vinegar too...but they dont need that at all

A tap could be interesting...is there a flat spot for a tap somewhere near the bottom??

Most importantly, when are u going to get more so u can share it with mates on AHB....like me

Rendo

Picked up these 40 litre (I think) food grade PE drums from work. They've been used to transport tablets, which were bagged in food grade PE bags, bubble wrapped and placed into these drums.

The tablets are packaged, then the drums thrown out. For all intents and purposes, they are brand new. The tablet were a mild blood pressure drug, and it's unlikely that it's actually been in contact with the vessel. I've currently got them filled with tap water, sealed up and will leave them sitting in the sun for a week, after this, I'll clean and sanitise as normal. Will this be enough?

Also, how do I fit a tap to these? Are there any food grade skin plasic skin fittings available? Can I ferment 23l lots in these drums? Does the dead space matter?

Cheers!

 

[Midnight Brew]

I have a few of these in the 60L version although they are a bit taller and less width. Fits a grain bag perfectly and seals really well. I recall seeing some with the thread at the base for a tap but maybe a different vessel from a different industry.

Not sure on the process of drilling a hole for a tap as you will need a thread to screw the tap into. See what other replies you get and if not you've got some awesome grain storage.

 

[michael_aussie]

Picked up these 40 litre (I think) food grade PE drums from work. They've been used to transport tablets, which were bagged in food grade PE bags, bubble wrapped and placed into these drums.


The tablets are packaged, then the drums thrown out. For all intents and purposes, they are brand new. The tablet were a mild blood pressure drug, and it's unlikely that it's actually been in contact with the vessel. I've currently got them filled with tap water, sealed up and will leave them sitting in the sun for a week, after this, I'll clean and sanitise as normal. Will this be enough?


Also, how do I fit a tap to these? Are there any food grade skin plasic skin fittings available? Can I ferment 23l lots in these drums? Does the dead space matter?

Cheers!

it's a shame they didn't have viagra!!!
you could make a pretty horny beer with that residual.

i would have thought 23l in 40l would be fine...
somtimes i do 16 litres in 30 litres .. so similiar ratio of volumes.

 

[QldKev]

23L in a 40L will not matter. CO2 is heavier than air so it will still blanket the brew and push the air out first.

But no way would I use them for fermenting. Grain storage for these puppies, and a $16 Bunnings fermenter anyday.

If I was close, I would buy you a Bunnings fermenter and swap anyday.

QldKev

 

[Fat Bastard]

Just looking at them, I think trying to fit a tap will be more trouble than it's worth. Looks like I'll use them for grain storage. I've gone from a free fermenter to an excuse to buy a grain mill!

 

[QldKev]

Just looking at them, I think trying to fit a tap will be more trouble than it's worth. Looks like I'll use them for grain storage. I've gone from a free fermenter to an excuse to buy a grain mill!

Welcome to home brewing to save money :icon_chickcheers:

 

[Fat Bastard]

Welcome to home brewing to save money :icon_chickcheers:

My partner bought me a starter kit for my birthday in August, and all I've done since is spend money on brewing gear. I've produced exactly one brew in that time! Still, once the money has been spent and gear aquired, I should be able to turn grain and hops into reasonably drinkable beers.

 

[yardy]

Still, once the money has been spent and gear aquired..

we've all said that mate :icon_cheers:

Yard