All grain mash/ferment

[Myles]

just because I can work easier in copper - but I will be looking at a stainless pot as an option for the inner.

[Myles]

The more I look at this the more I come to the opinion that it isn't going to be as usefull as a 2 vessel system.

Yes use this as a temperature controlled mash tun, and later as a strip boiler. But ferment in a different container.

Doing that means that it does not need the volume of the fermenter and a 100 litre mash can easilly be accomodated by using a 150 litre stainless drum outer pot.

The 150 litre stainless drum is also a lot less expensive than the bigger version and is a more convenient size to work with.

[Myles]

Just throwing out some ideas here regarding sizes.
Am I doing something wrong because the quoted nominal sizes for the drums don't seem to match the physical dimensions. Actual capacity seems to be more than the stated nominal capacity.

I doubt they are actually as big as these figures because the dimensions are probably the max physical dimensions and include seams etc.

205 litre drum could be much bigger than actually required making the 150 more practical.

[Mash]

Do I recall you are fermenting on grain ?
Might it be big enough to do all three tasks, if you removed the grain [to give extra headspace].

Or put another way, what are the benefits of fermenting 'on grain'?

[Myles]

Good questions. For fermenting for the still I intend to both ferment and distill on the grain for max flavour.

For fermenting for beer though I will ferment OFF the grain, so will be doing normal beer methods.

I had intended to do mash/ferment/distill all in 1 container but would need to build in stainless. It would also restrict the use of the container as I couldn't mash in it for beer at the same time as using it as a fermenter.

In the long term it is probably best to ferment in a different vessel to the mash/strip kettle.

[Mash]

I have followed this with interest, because I like the 'all in one vessel' idea.
I quite fancy doing similar myself on a much smaller scale.

I have a burco that I was considering using a power controller on or a BM. Both in an outside (cold) shed. After mashing and boiling I normally decant 25 L into a fermenter and then carry it a significant distance into the house & upstairs into the airing cupboard.

My plan was to make a sleeping bag for whichever, and run the fermentation in it.
The BM has a pump, but not sure about whether to use the pump or not. My inner Yorkshireman doesn't want to leave the pump running for days on end. But it might help even out the temperature.

Perhaps I ought to start with a kale wash. That way I could wack it up to 28°C and see if it finishes in a week and also test the temperature stability.

[Myles]

There are other ways to do temperature controled fermenters. A different but equaly valid concept.

I have 60 and 120 litre fermenters in addition to the 160's and find it is easier in the bigger volumes.

All of this can be scaled to any size and previously I have mashed in the standard Pintoshine method with steam injection in an insulated HDPE drum, but sofar just for beer.

All of this was because I wanted a strip boiler and am trying to combine resources.

What volume do you mash as it sounds like an issue for you may be the fermenter.

[Spirits4BB]

Great thread Myles, looking forward to doing a grain mash one day, got all the equipment from doing AG on my HERMS so just need to buy some ingredients and get my arse in gear.

S4BB

[Myles]

Are any of you folks using the High End Brew Pots from brewbuilder? They are actually heavier weight steel than stainless drums and also have an encapsulated base. Better for a big gas ring.

Would just have to fix the lid seal as there are no lid clamps, but that is doable.

[Spirits4BB]

I've always fancied one of those 8 gallon (USA) milk can boilers.... But the exchange rate at the moment makes them too expensive.

[Myles]

Ok mate here are a few options for you. Not recommending - your choice.

8 gallons is 30 litres or so.

33 litre stainless fermentation vessel from brewbuilder that just happens to be airtight clamp lid with 1 triclamp on the lid and 1 low down on the side is £80.

30 litre new keg is about £60

[Spirits4BB]

Ok mate here are a few options for you. Not recommending - your choice.

8 gallons is 30 litres or so.

33 litre stainless fermentation vessel from brewbuilder that just happens to be airtight clamp lid with 1 triclamp on the lid and 1 low down on the side is £80.

30 litre new keg is about £60

Thanks' for that Myles, will have a look.

EDIT:
Just the job, thanks' for that............
Do you think the seal will be adequate and will the top will support a cheeky copper reflux column?

Nice price too!!

[Myles]

I haven't seen one but I suspect so. Also don't know what size the triclamps are. There is also a 50 litre one.

[Spirits4BB]

I haven't seen one but I suspect so. Also don't know what size the triclamps are. There is also a 50 litre one.

Where did you see the new kegs at £60.00? Tried Crusader but they'll only sell one through BrewUK that costs around £92.00

[Myles]

Are you talking about the 30 or the 50 litre keg.

You should be able to get a 30 for less than that. I like the 30's for thumpers.

Try talking to kammac.com, its where I have bought from previously.