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10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:48 pm
by Jimmy
I'm looking for the ability to ferment 2 5g batches at once in my fridge...the no chill guys like to use water "cubes" to store/ferment in, so I'm wondering if you see any issue with using these to ferment in? I can fit 2 of them in my fridge at once, and they are rated for 23L (though the Q&A section says it will hold 27-28 liters - I'm guessing that's maxed out whereas the 23 liters is to the top of the "X") so I should be able to get a full keg out of them.
6Gal-Desert-Patrol.jpg
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/5 ... ?locale=en" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 8:56 pm
by LiverDance
I've used these before with great results. I have one hanging around here if you want it.

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 9:27 pm
by Jimmy
What made you decide to stop using them? Were you able to get a full keg out of it?

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 8:23 am
by LiverDance
I bought it to try out the no chill method, so I was filling it up. You're going to need to leave space for fermentation so I would say maybe 19.5 in? The way I see it is there is only one way to find out :spilly:

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 8:53 am
by bluenose
I'm interested to find out how these work out... no chill and only $13 per fermentation vessel

I could fit a shit ton of these in my fermentation chiller plus save 30 mins per batch

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 9:38 am
by adams81
Just learned about the no chill method from this post. Is it possible to do this method and remove chill haze by cold crashing?

Sent from my GT-I9000

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 9:53 am
by bluenose
I'm thinking you'd still want to crash cool after fermentation to make your beer clearer... but I think chill haze has to be prevented earlier on... I'm sure a pro will chime in

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 10:51 am
by Jimmy
LiverDance wrote:I bought it to try out the no chill method, so I was filling it up. You're going to need to leave space for fermentation so I would say maybe 19.5 in? The way I see it is there is only one way to find out :spilly:
Thanks for the offer Brian, I'll likely just grab one for $13 though. When you did the no-chill with that, did you flameout and dump it straight into the cube, or did you let it cool in the kettle for a bit first?

You also said you were "filling it up" (I'm assuming you mean there was no extra room) - so did you ferment in these or just use it to cool/store the wort until you were going to ferment it?

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 10:56 am
by LiverDance
I let the wort cool down for about 20mins then put it in the cube (approx 23l so it was pretty full), let the cube sit overnight and then put it into a bucket to ferment.

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 10:59 am
by Jimmy
LiverDance wrote:I let the wort cool down for about 20mins then put it in the cube (approx 23l so it was pretty full), let the cube sit overnight and then put it into a bucket to ferment.
Yeah, I'm looking to actually ferment in these things and I'm not sure how it will make out. Some of the reading I've done suggests that a tall, narrow vessel like this isn't ideal for fermenting, however, it seems that in real life experience it doesn't seem to matter.

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:07 am
by mr x
You fucking well better not be reading over there at HBT again..... :pow: :lol:

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:10 am
by Jimmy
:lol:

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:12 am
by LiverDance
I should check to see if your blue water caps will fit in the opening so you can use a blow off tube, that should allow you pack a little more in there I would say.

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:14 am
by Jimmy
I was thinking that, or take a tube off the end of the spout that comes with the container

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:17 am
by LiverDance
Well now you have me curious to try and ferement in mine...and i'm brewing tonight :think:

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:19 am
by Jimmy
Give'er

I'm going to brew on the weekend and try one out. If it works out I'll pick up a 2nd jug

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:21 am
by LiverDance
If I can get my act together and get it cleaned in time I'll try it out tonight. Got my electrician coming over to do some work on the ebrewery too :banana:

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:25 pm
by bluenose
may I submit the following for consideration:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/5 ... ?locale=en
this one is 8 gallons and the handle folds down (I bet it can be removed one way or another if needed)

It would allow for more headspace, although at a higher cost

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:45 pm
by Jimmy
It won't work for me due to my space constraint. I'm fermenting 10g in a mini fridge..:lol:

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:50 pm
by LiverDance
I also seen these at costco last time i was there http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... lInCA%2FNo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

although this maybe too big for a mini fridge as well.

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 12:58 pm
by Jimmy
LiverDance wrote:I also seen these at costco last time i was there http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... lInCA%2FNo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

although this maybe too big for a mini fridge as well.
It would be close, but lifting it in/out of my fridge would be a bitch.

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 1:16 pm
by LiverDance
Good point

Re: 10g fermentation in a mini fridge

Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2013 6:37 pm
by Jimmy
So I picked a couple of these up today and they both fit in the fridge, the only problem is 22 liters leaves basically no head room. I don't think they will work and I'll likely be taking them back..now to try something else