StillSmart

Re: Winter Fermenters

2015-03-13T08:54:50+00:00

"something left over from the manufacturing process."

I get the feeling this has happened more than once reading AM posts so I discounted this tooo.

V strange.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:54 am

Re: Winter Fermenters

2015-03-13T08:50:34+00:00

That was my basic, non-scientific, conclusion. The barrels were certified as 'food grade' but if left closed there was a faint chemical/solvent smell upon opening despite thorough cleaning and drying before being closed. My 'new' FVs have no such problems

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:50 am

Re: Winter Fermenters

2015-03-12T18:22:33+00:00

The drums are hdpe same as fermenting bins sold at the hbs as far as I know. Can't see that being the source of the problem unless there was something left over from the manufacturing process.

Statistics: Posted by Capt-Cudellez — Thu Mar 12, 2015 6:22 pm

Re: Winter Fermenters

2015-03-12T15:40:10+00:00

Oops! Sorry 'bout that

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Thu Mar 12, 2015 3:40 pm

Re: Winter Fermenters

2015-03-12T10:47:57+00:00

"No explanation, no inciteful revelation to offer and I've given up trying to figure out why "

....you have made me nervous. I feel some planters coming on

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Thu Mar 12, 2015 10:47 am

Re: Winter Fermenters

2015-03-12T07:38:21+00:00

I persevered with them for a whole Spring/Summer but the washes routinely finished with a final gravity around 1.000-1.010. In the end I cut them in half to use as planters in the garden.

Today I use these 60lt translucent fermenters from Brouwland https://www.brouwland.com/en/our-produc ... QFBGBjfWrU and since using these I've had no problems with any wash finishing at .990 and lower.

No explanation, no inciteful revelation to offer and I've given up trying to figure out why

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Thu Mar 12, 2015 7:38 am

Re: Winter Fermenters

2015-03-12T07:18:28+00:00

aidanmac wrote:
The ones I had were brand new and never had anything other than air in them.

AM

They should have been OK after a simple rinse out.

Wine Makers do consider the shape of a fermenter to make a difference but that is not the issue here.

strange.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Thu Mar 12, 2015 7:18 am

Re: Winter Fermenters

2015-03-12T03:42:11+00:00

A little piece of history resurrected here Capt.
Curious to know if you believe soil warming cables better than aquarium heaters,which to me seem easier?

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Thu Mar 12, 2015 3:42 am

Re: Winter Fermenters

2015-03-11T20:16:23+00:00

The ones I had were brand new and never had anything other than air in them.

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Wed Mar 11, 2015 8:16 pm

Re: Winter Fermenters

2015-03-11T09:19:07+00:00

AM. What did the blue drum have in it before?

I use plastic tubs for fermenting in bulk. Warmer than SS.
Wrapped in electric blankets, then a sheet of foam and then bungees to hold it all together. I extreme cold lob an old quilt over the top of everything.

I like the controller on the electric blankets - simple but bang on.
£5 remote didgital temp probe - GSM sender - bingo..

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Wed Mar 11, 2015 9:19 am

Re: Winter Fermenters

2015-03-11T09:00:26+00:00

I had a couple of those barrels and got rid because I kept having problems with ferments not finishing by a long shot.

I cannot say, definitively, that the blue barrels were the cause of the problem but the white 60Lt FVs I use never give such problems.

Probably just in my head

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Wed Mar 11, 2015 9:00 am

Re: Winter Fermenters

2015-03-10T20:24:31+00:00

Had to redo one of these - so took some extra pics.

Handles off and wrapping the coil.

Foiled and wrapping in PVC

Done

Statistics: Posted by Capt-Cudellez — Tue Mar 10, 2015 8:24 pm

Re: Winter Fermenters

2013-06-14T10:09:55+00:00

Thanks for the recipe Billmcc, I've wrote it down and will give it a whirl.

Thanks again I appreciate it.

Statistics: Posted by Gaztops — Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:09 am

Re: Winter Fermenters

2013-06-14T09:42:08+00:00

Hi Gaztops this is a good and cheep wine recipe

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=637

My favorite is 2 ltr Orange 6 ltr pineapple 6 ltr grape and 3.5kg sugar topped up to 25ltr and fermented with essencia super 6 yeast works out at about 75p a litre
Cheers

Statistics: Posted by billmcc — Fri Jun 14, 2013 9:42 am

Re: Winter Fermenters

2013-06-13T21:31:47+00:00

I've only used aquarium heaters with 25 litre sugar washes with brilliant success. I'm soon to try making wine from fresh fruit in conjunction with an aquarium heater and will post my findings.

Statistics: Posted by Gaztops — Thu Jun 13, 2013 9:31 pm