Big plastic fermenters for sale

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meisel · #1 Post by **meisel** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:24 pm

I found these big plastic jugs as replacements for the tried-and-true big blue fermenters we all love so much. They are approximately 15 gal and used to hold chinese rice cooking wine so there is a little alcohol linger, but nothing a good soak in pbw can't fix.
I say approximately 15 gal because they originally measured weight (50-53kg) so I decided to fill one of my blue fermenters with water and empty it into one of the jugs. The jug still had a few good inches of headspace which I topped off by the gal, bringing the max close to 15 gal. They are not tapered, sorry they do NOT nest, and have solid handles. They have threaded lids with a sealing plate that makes the whole shebang airtight. Personally I remove this plate and avoid the use of an airlock. So far no problems and no airlocks! I have five (5) available and I'd like to fetch $15 a piece for these to cover my efforts. Questions? Any takers?

Bill · #2 Post by **Bill** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 9:38 pm

dimensions?

meisel · #3 Post by **meisel** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:34 am

Bill wrote:dimensions?

Just took a jug to the post office for shipping quotes and it was closer to 16"x24". Sorry about the previous info.

csbosox · #4 Post by **csbosox** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:44 pm

I'm buying one.

Matt · #5 Post by **Matt** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:22 pm

If you did want to use an airlock (bubbles are good indicators of fermentation rates/problems/completion and blowoffs keep messes contained), would the sealing plate that goes under the white lid (I'm assuming) cause problems? or does it fit inside the lid and both could be drilled out easily and stay lined up?

Just curious, as these look pretty good otherwise, and I'd probably like to have a couple if there are any left. Thanks Lee!

Matt

meisel · #6 Post by **meisel** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:04 am

Matt,
The sealing plate fits inside the lid and the surfaces become flush against each other when the lid is screwed down tight. One would have to drill two holes (one through the lid and one through the plate) and push a stopper through both the lid and sealing plate to fit an airlock. This isn't a big deal, just one more hole than you would have to drill otherwise.
I also found that 1/2" OD tubing fits snugly inside the sealing channel of the lid and makes a nice seal without the plate thing. I plan to order some thin walled silicone tubing ($.88/ft) to make my own hollow core gaskets. It's simply a length of tubing with the cut ends adhered to each other with food grade silicone so it makes a big "O". Press fit into the lid, screw down tight until it compresses and you got yourself a tight seal. I'd like to start racking with CO2 and an airtight seal will be necessary.
Let me know if you have any other questions. I'd like these to go to club members first.
Thanks,
Lee

Matt · #7 Post by **Matt** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:26 pm

I'll probably want to pick up a couple then... your gasket idea sounds great, and frankly, I love the idea of a screw on top, rather than the barrel straps on the blue barrels -- they pinch fingers good and are just a pain in the butt. The handles don't suck either!

Yeah, please put me down for two! I'll get you the cash ASAP.

Matt

meisel · #8 Post by **meisel** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:10 pm

Gotcha Matt. Only two left. Thanks.

meisel · #9 Post by **meisel** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:49 pm

Fermenters are gone. Thanks for the interest folks. I'll post again if I get some more.