Brewer Forum

 Forgot password?
 Register
Search
View: 40|Reply: 3

Anyone Ferment in a Mini Keg

[Copy link]

57

Threads

774

Posts

0

Credits

Vip1

Rank: 1

Credits
0
Post time 2022-12-22 17:25:54 | Show all posts |Read mode
I’m thinking one of these:
Amazon link
Less than $25 for a stainless steel fermenter for my ultra-small batches (though larger models could work well for ~1 gallon batches.)
Drilling a hole in the cap for a stopper and airlock is no problem. I’d love to put a spigot on it, too, but need to figure out if I want an o-ring compression seal or whether I want to pay someone to do some welding.
author posts Hot post
Reply

Use magic Report

6

Threads

51

Posts

0

Credits

Vip1

Rank: 1

Credits
0
Post time 2022-12-23 06:14:43 | Show all posts
You could use one of these lids:
Amazon.com: Double Ball Lock stainless Mini Keg Dispenser Beer keg Dispenser Stainless Steel Mini Keg Beer Growler Spear Tap Dispenser Craft Beer Growler Homebrew with 12'' beer hose: Home & KitchenShop semfeil brew at the Amazon Home Brewing & Wine Making store. Free Shipping on eligible items. Everyday low prices, save up to 50%.www.amazon.com
Reply Support Not support

Use magic Report

13

Threads

328

Posts

0

Credits

Vip1

Rank: 1

Credits
0
Post time 2022-12-23 06:43:23 | Show all posts
^. +1 Use the above dispenser.
However, think through the next step. As a fermentor you'll will need an intermediary container to use it as dispenser to remove the beer from the wort, so a glass jug would be more practicable or a second dispenser. Might as well use a less expensive glass jug and stopper. Plus glass will be easier to see the wort to stop the siphon leaving trub in the fermentor.
For dispensing, a traditional Co2 system can get bulky and expensive. The consensus is to naturally carbonate then use a cartridge system to give the pressure to dispense. they don't last long and not practicable to use to carbonate.
Reply Support Not support

Use magic Report

57

Threads

774

Posts

0

Credits

Vip1

Rank: 1

Credits
0
 Author| Post time 2022-12-23 07:43:44 | Show all posts
For context, this is for 40-50 ounce batches, the kind I make when I'm bored and want to brew but don't have any space, or the kind to test a variable without making a ton of beer. A half-gallon fermenter works, and I get at least 32 ounces of beer, which I then bottle-condition in a single one-liter EZ-Cap bottle.
I'm currently using glass: a half-gallon mason jar with a hole in the lid for a stopper and an airlock. I hate it. It's a huge pain to siphon from. The lid doesn't seal that well. And I dropped one once, losing a whole batch (and making a big mess).
Enter the mini-keg! I suppose I could use the ball-lock cap and a dip tube (floating or non-floating), but I'd really like a spigot. I can drill a hole in it without worrying about the whole thing coming apart (those mason jars are kinda flimsy glass). Does anyone know if, at this radius, the area around the hole will be flat enough to accommodate a weldless fitting?
If this works well, there are 170-oz mini kegs that would be perfect for 1-gallon batches. I'm currently using LBMBs, but this, if I can get it to work, would be a huge upgrade.
Edit: I'm an IDIOT. It's going to be impossible to get inside the thing to screw on a weldless valve. Maybe it's still possible to weld an NPT bulkhead in there? I imagine inability to access the other side will make welding difficult-to-impossible, too...
Edit #2: I ordered a ball-lock cap. The plan is to ferment with the airlock, then swap in the ball locks and dip tube, hooked up to a bottling wand. I still think it'll be worlds better than the mason jar!
Reply Support Not support

Use magic Report

You have to log in before you can reply Login | Register

Points Rules

Archiver|Mobile|Brewer Forum

2023-4-1 17:53 GMT-8 , Processed in 0.300326 second(s), 34 queries .

Powered by Discuz! X3.4

Copyright © 2001-2022, Tencent Cloud.

Quick Reply To Top Return to the list