jlevac Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Any issues with the 110gal plastic fermenters and contamination? Coming from the brew side, there has always been concerns about the cleaning of the plastic would create areas for bacteria to develop. Is this a concern in the distillation world? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlevac Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 any thoughts on this? Anyone or is it too much of a newbie question? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrEwing Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Sorry I don't have any insughts you need. But I do want to know what SS tanks you're using in the foreground of the photo? & where did you get them? Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffw Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 I guess you probably already know the answer. You can get by with plastic, but stainless is better when you can afford it for exactly the reasons you have given. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedd Haas Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Dick, it appears those are some Blichmann kettles. http://www.blichmannengineering.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suburbeer Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I am a brewer with only some distillation experience but my 2 cents: So much is made in brewing about infection, off flavors etc. Many of these things don't apply because unlike brewing the mash to distill turn around time is days not weeks and you don't drink the fermented product unlike beer etc. And bottling with an infection means bottle bombs. Major infections take time and really poor sanitation. At some point stainless is the way to go. But considering how many ferment in open containers, microscopic scratches are the least of your worries. I think it will be a while before your plastic is past its life cycle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suburbeer Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I am a brewer with only some distillation experience but my 2 cents: So much is made in brewing about infection, off flavors etc. Many of these things don't apply because unlike brewing the mash to distill turn around time is days not weeks and you don't drink the fermented product unlike beer etc. And bottling with an infection means bottle bombs. Major infections take time and really poor sanitation. At some point stainless is the way to go. But considering how many ferment in open containers, microscopic scratches are the least of your worries. I think it will be a while before your plastic is past its life cycle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suburbeer Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I am a brewer with only some distillation experience but my 2 cents: So much is made in brewing about infection, off flavors etc. Many of these things don't apply because unlike brewing the mash to distill turn around time is days not weeks and you don't drink the fermented product unlike beer etc. And bottling with an infection means bottle bombs. Major infections take time and really poor sanitation. At some point stainless is the way to go. But considering how many ferment in open containers, microscopic scratches are the least of your worries. I think it will be a while before your plastic is past its life cycle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteB Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 I use both stainless and plastic fermenters. The plastic are usually much cheaper. If scratches in plastic could harbour infection, what about the damp wood in wooden fermenters? Good steriliser should be all that is needed. Those who went to Wild Turkey during the Louisville Conference may have noticed them steam sterilising the wooden fermenters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackheart Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 We use plastic fermenters and love them. No problem with infection so far that was not related to too-high pitch temps. Easy to clean and manhandle is why I like using them. We'll switch to stainless when we get more cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMcD Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Blackheart Are you using actual fermenters or some type of repurposed bulk tank.just curious John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mash Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 I've been using plastic drums, my first attempt was with WERIT 600 liter totes. The plunger type of valve would not allow the solids to flow out. Did not know this untill after buying 10 of them. So now I'm considering leasing 3 Stainless Totes, 350 gallons each, might even put a manyway at the bottom for shoveling out the corn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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