Water Jerry Cans As Fermenters?

[Enerjex]

Hi all, am going to get a couple of these for racking into to cold condition with as I can fit more in the fridge rather than using a round barrel fermenter. I'm just wondering if there's any reason these can't be used as a primary fermentation vessel after fitting an airlock and a tap to it? Thinking back I've only ever seen people use round fermenters for primary fermentation, is there a reason for this? Will the rectangular nature of the water jerry can cause it not to work properly? Here's a picture of the style I'm talking about...

 

[Wortgames]

You can ferment in anything you like. Fermenter geometry DOES have some effect on fermentation, but it would probably be negligable at our volumes.

I generally ferment in cubes these days, they are cheaper, have less fiddly bits, are easier to move around, and don't tend to end up so scratched inside as regular fermenters. You can also easily swap the lid for an undrilled one if you can't get round to racking etc.

 

[Stuster]

I often ferment in these. Very handy as they are take up far less space than a round fermenter, and very importantly, they are cheap. (Fresh Wort Kits are double value for this very reason.) :super:

 

[jkeysers]

The FWKs I get from my LHBS are only 15L, so they arent really big enough to brew in. I'm getting ripped off!
Which FWKs have 20L cubes?

 

[Stuster]

Not sure. I've been using the 15L ones, which are really 17L. Use two and you have a split batch.

 

[jkeysers]

Touche. Mayhaps I will do just that.
I can't remember if my FWKs have a provision for a tap or not! (Too much beer.)
Do yours?
Looks like i'm off to buy another FWK.

w00t - 100 posts!

 

[Cortez The Killer]

w00t - 100 posts!

Congratulations

I'd definitly be ones with taps

Syphoning is annoying - can of worms?

Cheers

 

[jkeysers]

I've never siphoned, always been a tap man, and inted to stay that way (2nd can opened). So if FWK cubes have a provision for a tap, then I will start keeping them. I was pretty sure the ones I used didnt have that provision, but I will stand corrected.

 

[clay]

I've got a couple of these jerrys that I use for secondary and they do the trick. The only problem I could think of if using them for primary is cleaning them after.

 

[0M39A]

I've got a couple of these jerrys that I use for secondary and they do the trick. The only problem I could think of if using them for primary is cleaning them after.

only problem i can see also, rather hard to get spotlessly clean as you cant get your hand in there to scrub it, particularly the handle.

 

[Velophile]

only problem i can see also, rather hard to get spotlessly clean as you cant get your hand in there to scrub it, particularly the handle.

Re: Cube cleaning, I have a suspect cube at the moment.

I can see a couple of black spots that haven't been removed by soaking in Napisan. Anyone got any other ideas?

 

[Enerjex]

thanks for all the replies guys... i just went out and got 2x 20litre willow ones with taps. the cleaning around the inside of the handle will be a non event so i will just keep them for racking into. an off topic question here but i may as well not start another post... i got a couple of spare grommets and airlocks, should i be fitting them to these if i'm racking after primary fermentation and putting in fridge to cold condition?

 

[brettprevans]

check out thread on water cubes [post #8]. you can use anything and the cubes you can get frolm takeaway stores are generally at least 25L. Ive now got 2x30L and a 25L. plus a few 15L fresh wort cubes.

 

[Jerry]

thanks for all the replies guys... i just went out and got 2x 20litre willow ones with taps. the cleaning around the inside of the handle will be a non event so i will just keep them for racking into. an off topic question here but i may as well not start another post... i got a couple of spare grommets and airlocks, should i be fitting them to these if i'm racking after primary fermentation and putting in fridge to cold condition?

Enerjex,

Not really necessary to fit airlocks. Just vent any gas build up every couple of days or so.

Cheers

Scott

 

[BOG]

I use the exact same jerry cans for secondary. (I have 2) I just loose fit the lid for a day until the fridge chills them down enough that the yeast has gone to sleep. Then tighten up the lid and fine for a week or two.

Alternatively you can put some glad wrap over the hole with rubber band.

BOG

 

[tangent]

they're great for lagers and c/cing. i don't do ales in them anymore because the krausen line needs to be soaked off. (sodium percarbonate!)

make sure as soon as you've used one to wash and drain or even soak immediately, otherwise you'll grow those spots.

 

[Stuster]

they're great for lagers and c/cing. i don't do ales in them anymore because the krausen line needs to be soaked off. (sodium percarbonate!)

make sure as soon as you've used one to wash and drain or even soak immediately, otherwise you'll grow those spots.

Exactly right. I didn't do that and the cubes got infected and infected a batch or two before being thrown out. Now I just soak them straight after use with some napisan and hot water. Ready to use the next day. I use some 15L ones, 20L ones and some normal fermenters. I think the ones with dark spots should be chucked. Also use them for no-chilling in.

Syphoning is so easy. No need for a tap with more places to clean.

 

[DJR]

Get a bottle brush and bend the wire half way up - that way you can clean the insides quite well. Of course, hot water and 2 caps of unscented napisan works just as well and is better for us lazy guys.

 

[SpillsMostOfIt]

Re: Cube cleaning, I have a suspect cube at the moment.

I can see a couple of black spots that haven't been removed by soaking in Napisan. Anyone got any other ideas?

Karcher.

 

[Kingy]

i like the 20 litre jerrys they actually hold about 25 litres so on a 19- 23 litre batch ya still got some head room. I own 2 of these but one looks like a soccer ball and probably holds about 27 litres now after if expanded unexpectedly during last week.