StillSmart

Re: What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

2014-01-21T12:01:36+00:00

Easydrinker wrote:
I think it may depend upon your age RJ,and physical fitness.
A lot of us on this forum seem to be age challenged,(for that read old farts),and lacking in strength.
Personally I can still lift a full 50 litre bucket,when the need arises,so don't mind,when the need arises.
I guess the clever ones engineer things to avoid heavy lifting,but possibly miss out on something;a sense of satisfaction,or maybe even a hiatus hernia...
Would the local Derby and Joan club really be more fun than the current brewing and illicit distilling in the shed?
No,I don't think so.
Just some late night ramblings.
Robert

Of all the physical qualities we lose as we age, strength is the last to go. fwir, a bit of regular strength training can get a previously non exercising pensioner as strong as they were back in their 30s. See? Homebrewing is good for you.

I find cleaning the barrels easy, the Vodka Star doesn't leave a crust around the top, just some pinkish residue at the bottom. I don't sterilise the fermenters, the boiling water for the new wash and the ferment itself seems to take care of that.

I give it 3 or 4 inches of water from the bath tap, then vigorously swirl it around to loosen the lees, then down the bog. 2 or 3 swirls and it's done.

It's now a routine, I get the run started then clean a fermenter and make a new wash while the boiler is heating up.

Statistics: Posted by John51 — Tue Jan 21, 2014 12:01 pm

Re: What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

2014-01-21T09:06:35+00:00

RumJohn: Talk about a sexy harem. I am in covet...

And who is this sly minx hanging out at knee level?

free uploader

Statistics: Posted by Cherry Yidaki — Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:06 am

Re: What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

2014-01-21T07:19:49+00:00

I once used a 54ltr glass carboys type (with its plastic carrying basket).......

Ball bustingly heavy to move so that's when you look into the practicality of pumps or forklifts

mine are all 27ltr buckets.......

so no snags......

Statistics: Posted by Phantom — Tue Jan 21, 2014 7:19 am

Re: What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

2014-01-21T02:31:57+00:00

I only have one

So I can't compare

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:31 am

Re: What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

2014-01-21T02:11:14+00:00

mikepiet ,Sorry,I spotted your post earlier and forgot to reply.
I will not state that this is the best way,only my way.
For distilling,I ferment in buckets,mine have lids which are loosley/sloppily fitted.
Not an air-lock in sight.
They are much easier to clean after a wash.
And we are usually talking short ferment times here,one out,one in.
I don't steralise,just rinse between washes.
HTH
Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:11 am

Re: What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

2014-01-21T01:43:54+00:00

I think it may depend upon your age RJ,and physical fitness.
A lot of us on this forum seem to be age challenged,(for that read old farts),and lacking in strength.
Personally I can still lift a full 50 litre bucket,when the need arises,so don't mind,when the need arises.
I guess the clever ones engineer things to avoid heavy lifting,but possibly miss out on something;a sense of satisfaction,or maybe even a hiatus hernia...
Would the local Derby and Joan club really be more fun than the current brewing and illicit distilling in the shed?
No,I don't think so.
Just some late night ramblings.
Robert

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Tue Jan 21, 2014 1:43 am

Re: What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

2014-01-21T00:45:39+00:00

Plain old 90L food grade bins work just fine

Statistics: Posted by RumJohn — Tue Jan 21, 2014 12:45 am

Re: What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

2014-01-20T17:40:56+00:00

All mine are 33lt buckets because I found they're the easiest to clean

I used to have 60lt fermenters but they're impossible to work with without some lifting equipment like a winch

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Mon Jan 20, 2014 5:40 pm

Re: What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

2014-01-20T17:07:49+00:00

Most of my fermenters are now 120 to 200 litre LDPE drums. Mostly screw top, but some are open because I cut the lid out of a tighthead drum. I have never really had an issue with any of them - except for moving them when they are full.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Mon Jan 20, 2014 5:07 pm

Re: What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

2014-01-20T13:04:37+00:00

Check out Wilco if you have a local one. Mine carry both buckets and barrel fermenters in their homebrew section.

The 2 fisted barrels are tough and last a long time. The HBS like to give out those freebie mags, with advice like replace your fermenters on a regular basis to avoid infections. Ha! I'll replace after I get an infection, not before. My oldest barrel is 40 years old and still never an infected brew.

I don't make beer that often now but if I do, I use a barrel with no lid, just a shirt over the top to stop the flies. The handles are really useful.

Statistics: Posted by John51 — Mon Jan 20, 2014 1:04 pm

Re: What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

2014-01-20T12:40:04+00:00

Like I said..I've never noticed any difference in whatever I've used over the years. I must admit I find the barrels with the handles a lot easier to get on with...the ones I got cheap were from Wilko's.

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:40 pm

Re: What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

2014-01-20T12:07:20+00:00

Hi everyone,

Also interested in this as I am about to buy a 2nd fermenter. Current one is a barrel type, but all the shops here seem to have the bucket types. Was wondering if a larger surface exposure (as in bucket type) would make any difference in fermenting - speed, yield, possibility of contamination etc etc.

Any info appreciated, thanks in advance,

All the best,

Mike P

Statistics: Posted by mikepiet — Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:07 pm

Re: What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

2014-01-20T09:33:05+00:00

They priced them up wrong in the shop...marked up at £9.50...should have been £14.50, but they let me have them at the lower price..(good will).

The 2 handles do make them easier to throw around I must admit.

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:33 am

Re: What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

2014-01-20T09:22:51+00:00

Lucky dog! I like the looks of those double-fisters!

Statistics: Posted by Cherry Yidaki — Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:22 am

Re: What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

2014-01-20T09:09:47+00:00

Can't say I've noticed anything differ between bucket or barrel.. I've got 6 x 25 ltr buckets, 1 x 25ltr Better bottle, and a few weeks back got a good deal on these 2x 25 ltr barrels and another bucket. So I'm good now for brewing beer, making wine and running a wash.

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Mon Jan 20, 2014 9:09 am