Jerry can fermenter

[marceleb19]

Hey , I have a kind of a weird question but , what do you guys think about fermenting beer in a new 5.3 gallon jerry can . These are way easier to carry because of shape and handle , also take up less space , and wouldn't really be any more difficult to clean than a carboy . These are meant to hold diesel and fuel so I would think the plastic grade would be high enough as to no leach any flavors in the beer . I may be wrong thats why I thought i would ask , any one ever done this ? thoughts?

[Keith]

I wouldn't consider that a viable option unless they are made out of food grade plastic, which I highly doubt.

[Jimmy]

If it is HDPE plastic, then you should be fine. Look into the no chill brewing method and you will similar shaped containers being used as fermenters.

[GAM]

The plastic will not be food grade. Also the seams will be jaggad and be a place for bad stuff to hide.

Better Bottle make 12l square(ish) carboys. If they had 20-30l that would be ideal.

Sandy

[Jimmy]

Here's a jug that would likely work for you. It's a jerry can style water jug. If you do decide to go this route, I'd likely try the no chill method as a way to sanitize the container.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/relia ... MpjxmjF9W0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[LiverDance]

Here's a jug that would likely work for you. It's a jerry can style water jug. If you do decide to go this route, I'd likely try the no chill method as a way to sanitize the container.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/relia ... MpjxmjF9W0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've fermented in that exact jug, everything turned out fine. The plastic is food grade as it's used to store potable water.

[gm-]

Here's a jug that would likely work for you. It's a jerry can style water jug. If you do decide to go this route, I'd likely try the no chill method as a way to sanitize the container.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/relia ... MpjxmjF9W0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Is the plastic solid enough to withstand the heat? Most plastic containers collapse if you fill them with hot liquids.

[Jimmy]

Here's a jug that would likely work for you. It's a jerry can style water jug. If you do decide to go this route, I'd likely try the no chill method as a way to sanitize the container.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/relia ... MpjxmjF9W0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Is the plastic solid enough to withstand the heat? Most plastic containers collapse if you fill them with hot liquids.

I'm guessing it will work based on similar jugs used for no chill. Also, I'm pretty sure that is how Brian did his with these very jugs.

[Celiacbrew]

For some further information. The melting point of HDPE is 120-180c. What happens below that temperature is just the plastic deforming and that doesn't hurt anything. HDPE is the same material as the liner on our cooler mash tuns and they are perfectly safe at the temperatures we work at. Most of the plasticizers get washed away the first time you use it or wash it leaving just ethylene. Sometimes people point to dyes that are used as being dangerous, but like LiverDance said, these jugs are for potable water so they have to use food grade dyes.

[Keggermeister]

Princess Auto sells blue jerry cans for water.

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/2 ... -p8570798e



Sorry about the image size!

[marceleb19]

Thanks for all the input guys , I think I might go grab one of the blue water jerry cans from either canadian tire or pricess auto as suggested and i might try a batch to see how it turns out . Il update any reasults if I go along with this .

[the-mailman]

Only problem I can think of is if the wort ferments hard and gets foam or debris in the handle, because it is hollow, it will be hard to ensure it's clean. And like other plastic vessels it will deform when picked up and will suck the liquid in the airlock back into the container.

[LiverDance]

The CT ones are 23L and the PA ones are only 20L

[jtmwhyte]

Only problem I can think of is if the wort ferments hard and gets foam or debris in the handle, because it is hollow, it will be hard to ensure it's clean. And like other plastic vessels it will deform when picked up and will suck the liquid in the airlock back into the container.

Oxiclean in can, invert for a few hours, rinse.