New fermenter .... what should I be buying?

[Arismac]

I currently have a 23 litre plastic fermenter but want to add a second. My question ... what material should I be using, stainless steel, glass or plastic. I would love to go for glass but unless someone can point me towards one with a bottom tap I will have to give the glass carboy a miss as I am physically disabled and could not lift to empty.

I do however have an "auto syphon" which I have not used yet but may overcome the problem of using the carboy?

All suggestions most welcome.

 

[SBOB]

For me

Stainless would be choice no 1 (its what I use now, just cause its shiny mostly, and less cleaning worries)
Plastic would be choice no 2
Glass and incredibly distant and less practical/safe no 3


Hard to go past plastic for the price though
- A 30L water storage container from bunnings will set you back less than $30 with a tap
https://www.bunnings.com.au/icon-plastics-30l-blue-tint-wide-mouth-water-storage-drum-with-bung_p3240534
- A stainless fermenter of similar size is going to be closer to $200 or more (much more depending on brand etc)
http://www.theolivecentre.com/Olive-Equipment/OLIVE-OIL-STORAGE-SETTLING/30L-Olive-oil-storage-tank.html


pretty sizeable $ difference if you just want something thats going to work and do a perfectly good job

 

[Arismac]

Many thanks. As I am busily spending the kids inheritance so they can't find out what I was ging to eave them :lol: , I shall go for SS.

 

[Feldon]

Stainless is probably the go for a lot of reasons. But if you were to go plastic drum-style, the best thought out fermentor on the market IMO is the one from Coopers. Designed as a beer fermentor and not a re-purposed drum. Well moulded with a very nice break-apart tap for easy cleaning.





Whatever you go with, there is also the opportunity of getting a conical, in either stainless or plastic. If money is not an issue a stainless conical would be the thing.

 

[Arismac]

The conical in SS is a new concept for me. May I have a link, please?

 

[Feldon]

Ah, Grasshopper...



The search function is your friend here.

 

[SBOB]

Plastic, new one from KegKing
http://kegking.com.au/brewery-equipment/fermenters/fermentasaurus-starter-kit.html
Stainless, SS Brewtech is a popular choice (though at close to 3x the price of a olive oil drum you would 'really' want a conical )
https://www.newerabrewing.com.au/ss-brewtech-chronical-7-fermenter/

 

[Arismac]

Got it thanks.

 

[Arismac]

Decision made. I will go for the Ss Brewtech Chronical 26 Fermenter. Off to speak with Ralph at Brewers Delight first thing tomorrow. Thank you for assistance.

 

[SBOB]

well that is indeed a serious upgrade from a plastic bucket

 

[Markbeer]

With the olive oil drum is the capable to be fitted with a standard bottle filler, how do people generally fill bottles with them? Can you attach hose?

It looks like a great bit if gear. I am tempted.

 

[koolkuna]

M8 Corny Keg fermenter with a spundling pressure valve the only way to go for the money. I made the change from plastic last year and haven't looked back. Go for it.

 

[Arismac]

It looks like a great bit if gear. I am tempted.

Took delivery from a Perth distributor yesterday ... it is a great piece of gear. Off to Bunnings to get the trisodium phosphate to get rid of the manufacturing oils later today.

 

[Stouter]

Good luck with your retirement hobby. Or am I reading this wrong?
I can't think of anything better than brewing into retirement, as long as it's not a forced retirement.
Get setup with the easiest kit you can and adjust from there. Ideally you want to be independent, but sometimes a brew day mate can fill in any gaps which might be too physically challenging for you, plus it's nice to have someone to drink and ******** with!
All the best to you, I'm envious.

 

[Arismac]

No you are indeed correct and thank you for your best wishes. I can no longer drive except for emergencies and my battery operated wheelchair and they do not get caught by a booze bus very often. So I am very much looking forward to acting as my own maker, taster and consumer. :beerbang:

 

[MartinOC]

Mate, if you're wheelchair-bound, make sure you get some casters for that SS Chronical. It'll make moving stuff around a shitload easier.

 

[Arismac]

Top suggestion, many thanks. I will select from Bunnings tomorrow.

 

[MartinOC]

The SS stuff has dedicated casters that are made to fit, but if you can find something in Bunnings, go for it.

 

[DU99]

grainfather some new on coming out and it has heating and can cool with a gycol chiiler..aint cheap