Steel fermenters

[Doubleuj]

I found these steel 200L drums on gumtree
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-view-details.html?adId=1102714328
Am told they previously held orange juice or lemon juice.
He says they are good grade and painted on the inside, when I said I was looking for fermenters he said perhaps he could get some unpainted ones in a few days.
What's everyone's thoughts on using steel drums for fermentation if they are good grade and had been designed to hold lemon juice?
Other option he has is plastic drums that held ammonia, can these be cleaned enough to be safe?

[Undertaker]

Personally I wouldnt. What sort of coating is it, and is it compatible with acidic alcoholic wash. If they are not sealed properly on the joins, or have been damaged then they may leak or leach iron oxides.
I have seen steel drums used to hold juice before but they had a plastic liner like a bin liner that was disposable.
No idea on how easy it is to clean ammonia out

cheers Phil

[warramungas]

I've seen them used to make rum in the carribean. Fermenter and boiler all in one.
They were disposed of regularly though. They had sugar cane molasses delivered in the drums and used them for fermenting and boiling on an open fire.
Personally, I wouldn't recommend it.
I would hold out for a plastic drum that had food in it over ammonia. Yes you can wash them but would you want to? Not nice stuff.

[moonshinindawg]

mate you need a stainless drum, same rig just stainless cheapest I have seen one is about $100 on gummie
Usually they are about $160

The acid will go to town on steel

[Doubleuj]

Cheers guys, I'll give them a miss. Was thinking the acid and steel wouldn't be a good mix, but then he had me thinking if lemon juice was in it... But you're probably right undertaker, they may have had plastic liners or only stored juice for a short period.

[bluc]

mate you need a stainless drum, same rig just stainless cheapest I have seen one is about $100 on gummie
Usually they are about $160

The acid will go to town on steel

$160 is a good price only ones I've seen are like $400 on ebay. I scored one (stainless) for free just hope it eventuates.

[Kenster]

Doubleuj, here in Vic a bloke sells brown plastic drums with seal & lid for 20 bucks...used to transport olives. They are around 80/90 litres.
I found them on theBay..may have something similar up north.
I dont use them cos the batch size is a bit big for my needs...every one will crucify me, but i just bought a black plastic rubbish bin from Bunnings
(60lit i think) ...seems to work pretty well...16 bucks...no seal or airlock...just leave the lid on & stick in a fishtank heater when it gets cool..all good so far.

[Doubleuj]

Doubleuj, here in Vic a bloke sells brown plastic drums with seal & lid for 20 bucks...used to transport olives. They are around 80/90 litres.
I found them on theBay..may have something similar up north.
I dont use them cos the batch size is a bit big for my needs...every one will crucify me, but i just bought a black plastic rubbish bin from Bunnings
(60lit i think) ...seems to work pretty well...16 bucks...no seal or airlock...just leave the lid on & stick in a fishtank heater when it gets cool..all good so far.

No crucifixion mate, I bought one of those to use as a fermenter then swmbo grabbed it as a bin!!! How dare she!!
Oh well, guess I'll wait or pay for the proper thing. Just want something I can put a large batch of tpw on and strip quickly with my new 50L boiler

[Psykamaholik]

Couldn't you still use the steel drums but put your own plastic liner in there if that's what was done with the previous contents? Would make cleaning them after each run a piece of cake!

[Doubleuj]

hmm, maybe, like a rubbish bin bag?
what about the bag not being "food grade" i see others using rubbish bins, wheelie bins, anything that they can and none of these are food grade..

[rumdidlydum]

I would just stick to ss or plastic drums with the right letters or numbers whatever it is on them. :D

[hillzabilly]

hmm, maybe, like a rubbish bin bag?
what about the bag not being "food grade" i see others using rubbish bins, wheelie bins, anything that they can and none of these are food grade..

I am a fan of the U Brew It beer mob ,they have a branch in Cairns,they use standard plastic fermenters wich they line with a plastic bags ,would pressume they are food and beverage safe,they say it makes cleaning quick and the darker wash does not stain the plastic,give them a call they may be able to sell ya a couple to try or have some second hand fermenters cheep.cheers hillzabilly ;-)