Scaling up kit brews

[Gryphon556]

Hi guys, quick question I'm hoping someone might be able to help me with.

I currently have 12 kit brews under my belt - mostly good, only one failure and a couple of stand out ones. However I'm wanting to scale it up a bit. At the moment I have a 30Lt primary fermentor and a 25Lt secondary fermentor which works well for the most part, I give a brew a week in the primary and by then the frothing is long gone, syphon it into the secondary for another week or two while i start a new batch in the 30Lt.

But I've just now got a stock of bottles where I would like to scale this up so I can do a big run say once a month and let them condition for a good amount of time (1-3 months) without having to buy say another two 30Lt fermentors, 1) because they're not that cheap and 2) because that add more work as far as cleaning goes. Problem is, I can't seem to find anything suitable to use as a fermentor around the 100Lt capacity mark. Seems after you get to the 25 - 30lt mark the next step up is a 200lt drum which is a little too much for me.

I'm certain I can't be the first to think about doing 3 - 4x scale kit runs to up the output and build a stock that can condition to it's full potential without all the extra working cleaning and sanatizing extra fermentors.

Any suggestions or guidance would be greatly appreciated

For interests sake my current favorite brew:
Coopers standard Lager
1kg Brew Enhancer 2
500 - 600g Dry light malt
Made up to 23 - 24Lt

Easy, pretty cheap and IMHO a pretty decent beer, especially given 1-3 months to condition

 

[antiphile]

I'm guessing almost all LHBS would carry 60 litre FVs. They're great unless you need to carry a full one around. I think I paid $60 or $70 for mine. Of course you can go all the way up to $800 and well beyond as well.

 

[panzerd18]

Not sure what state you live in, but as antphile said, you can get proper 60 litre fermenters easily.




http://kegking.com.au/brewery-equipment/fermenters/60l-fermenter-with-tap-airlock-and-grommet.html

 

[panzerd18]

Just found the perfect fermenter for you.

http://www.bunnings.com.au/maze-100l-rainwater-mini-tank_p3130198

 

[manticle]

^perfect

 

[Danscraftbeer]

haa. Actually that 1st 60lt linked is the previouse type. The 60lt fermenter now is much better at the same price. It has the swinging handles each side and a two piece lid (like canning jars style).
Like this:

 

[captsensible23]

So it is possible to scale kits up?

 

[Brewsta]

yes mate…no problem, check out brew mate & beer smith software, they will help you taylor your brews per volume.

i mucked around with this once, but I just do 2x brews in the 60ltr as per the photo above & a different brew in my 30ltr.

you can squeeze 3x brews in the 60ltr but you run out of head room & is a couple of litres less water per brew, which you could scale down your malts etc, but i never did. turned out ok.

But i read about aeration & oxygen requirements for yeast, so now i shake the shite out of my fermenters which gives me about 20cm of froth hence the need for head room.Thats why i stick with two brews in the 60 and 1 in the 30, gives me 3 brews which i'm happy with. I'd use 2x 60ltrs if i could, but they won't fit in my fridge.

the drawback of big volume brews is that if you get an infection, you've lost the lot, if it's a bad brew your stuck with drinking it for while & as antiphile said it's hard to move if you need to. Plus i get sick of the same beer all the time and like to mix them up between lagers & ales.

You also mentioned you use a secondary, how will do that when you get the 100ltr fermenter? will you end up having to buy buying another fermenter?

I would also steep some grain in your brew if you are going to do such a big batch, carapils or carahell, you'll be amazed at the difference in head retention.

good luck!