Plastic Storage Crates as Fermenters

[Dave]

I read this thread last week, as I was on the lookout for a couple more fermenting tubs and it got me hunting the net. I saw some really good prices which were sort of offset by the carriage charges, so I kept looking and fell onto a company that had a warehouse near me. I made a couple of calls and for two 30litre tubs (33 to brim) they charged me a fiver each cash! I went to collect with a £20 note, they didn't have any change so at that price I bought four! HDPE food grade with airtight lids. A bargain!
If anyone's interested the company is:-

http://www.invopak.co.uk/

[Mash]

Was it these ... http://www.invopak.co.uk/packaging-cont ... -kegs.aspx

[Dave]

Was it these ... http://www.invopak.co.uk/packaging-cont ... -kegs.aspx

No, Mash, mine are white buckets.....will post the part number tomorrow, they're in the shed.

[Dave]

Sorry for not getting back to you yesterday as promised Mash, I didn't get home til nearly 1 am.
Anyway, here's the buckets I bought.

http://www.groku.de/fileadmin/web/pdf/HOM30000_en.pdf

That's the manufacturers spec sheet, not the company I bought them from.
P.S. They have a metal carrying handle, not shown in the pic.

[gaza the instructor]

Thats good value Dave.
Will you fit air locks?

[Dave]

To be honest, Gaza, I dont think I will. I drop an aquarium heater in each mash now, so there goes any airtightness! With winter coming on and fermenting in my shed, I need some kind of dedicated heating. I know some frown on them, but they work for me.

[Toper]

In a shed, out of site, some sort of wrap (bubble, quilted etc) whilst not pretty, would maximise the benefits of your aquarium heaters.

[Dave]

Absolutely! Or an old sleeping bag or two! Just the job!...

[gaza the instructor]

got to keep your temps good

[Mash]

To be honest, Gaza, I dont think I will. I drop an aquarium heater in each mash now, so there goes any airtightness! With winter coming on and fermenting in my shed, I need some kind of dedicated heating. I know some frown on them, but they work for me.

Thanks for the link.
I don't bother with air locks either.
One single electric blanket would work well. With a camp mat or something over the top to insulate.

Question... What is the wattage of your aquarium heaters?

[inspector gadget]

To be honest, Gaza, I dont think I will. I drop an aquarium heater in each mash now, so there goes any airtightness! With winter coming on and fermenting in my shed, I need some kind of dedicated heating. I know some frown on them, but they work for me.

You could put a 6mm gland in the lid and thread the cable through that way you could suspend the element in the wash without it sitting on the bottom of the bucket..?

[Dave]

Question... What is the wattage of your aquarium heaters?

One is 50 watts, the other is 75 watts, which is more than enough for my needs according to this chart, or many more like it.
It won't matter if it's more than that, cos the built in thermostat takes care of things.

http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/heati ... eguide.htm

[Dave]

You could put a 6mm gland in the lid and thread the cable through that way you could suspend the element in the wash without it sitting on the bottom of the bucket..?

That's an idea IG, I never thought of that. Food for thought!

[Easydrinker]

You could put a 6mm gland in the lid and thread the cable through that way you could suspend the element in the wash without it sitting on the bottom of the bucket..?

That's an idea IG, I never thought of that. Food for thought!

Only if you wished to re-wire the plug each time you wished to remove from the fermenter lid?
I let my Aquarium heaters settle on the bottom of the fermenter, when the gravity allows, - they float high for the first 36 hours,due to wash gravity.
A little while before racking off, I remove them, From under a loosely clipped lid.
Why make work for yerself?

Robert.