Testing Fermenters

[Cynicide]

Hello everyone,

As my friends slowly gave up on homebrewing I have inherited their equipment. To the order of five plastic fermenters.

Does anyone know a good way to test to see if these are still airtight other than running a brew in them. I can test for leakage ok but other than expending large amount of lungpower to put air through them I'm at a bit of a loss.

 

[Velophile]

Hello everyone,

As my friends slowly gave up on homebrewing I have inherited their equipment. To the order of five plastic fermenters.

Does anyone know a good way to test to see if these are still airtight other than running a brew in them. I can test for leakage ok but other than expending large amount of lungpower to put air through them I'm at a bit of a loss.

[post="116594"][/post]​

Put about a litre of hot water into the barrel, screw the lid on tight, pick it up & put you thumb over the airlock hole. Then shake the CR@p out of it!

Moving your thumb should release the pressure it it's airtight & spray some water at you

 

[Screwtop]

Why? Being airtight is not important, holding liquid, now that's important.

 

[Cynicide]

Why? Being airtight is not important, holding liquid, now that's important.

[post="116597"][/post]​

True, I have done brews where the fermenter wasn't air tight and I had no air lock activity. However I did worry for an entire week that my brew was going to get infected. I guess I just like to be sure.

 

[Ross]

Why? Being airtight is not important, holding liquid, now that's important.

[post="116597"][/post]​

True, I have done brews where the fermenter wasn't air tight and I had no air lock activity. However I did worry for an entire week that my brew was going to get infected. I guess I just like to be sure.

[post="116601"][/post]​

Welcome Cynicide,

The fermenters will be fine - all you need is to keep the creepy crawlies out - a gently screwed on lid is all that's required. Don't stress over airlocks going "gloop, gloop" - mine haven't in ages...

cheers Ross...

 

[Weizguy]

Something important to be aware of, is the state of the vessel.

I just hope they're all clean and have no scratches etc. which harbour beasties/bugs/microbes/germs/filth.

I'd check the history with the previous owners to determine if this is a potential issue, i.e. a run of failed batches...

My 2 cents
Seth

 

[Boozy the clown]

That and the habit of some failed HB'ers to store non edible stuff in it, ie petrol.

I know this bloke and...