Dont seal your fermenters....

[whiskymonster]

What a stupid thing to do.

Usually i use 4 25l plastic jerry cans as fermenters. Two of em minus sludge is about a boiler full.

Haven't run in a while, and the old ones have been donated to various good causes as needed, so i bought some new ones.

Now, i took the nitrile seals out of the old caps so i could screw them down without worrying about pressure.

The new ones don't have seals, they just mate the plastic cap to the plastic tub. I didn't even think about it.

I just walked into my office to find a fermenter on its side, bulging out like a balloon and hissing at me.

It turns out im a fucking idiot, and nearly invoked the wrath of she who must be obeyed by spilling 25l of sugar wash, which likely would have made a little tidal wave down the stairs and resulted in either death or divorce.

Pressure guys. Drill a little hole in the cap and avoid a near divorce experience like i just had.

Safety first.

[Yummyrum]

Ohh dear .
Glad you caught it in time ….. could have ended up one expensive fermentation .

[OtisT]

…….,which likely would have made a little tidal wave down the stairs and resulted in either death or divorce.

You are underestimating your significant other. A F-up like that could result in both death and divorce. You definitely dodged a bullet there.

Otis

[NZChris]

A small hole and a foamy wash can be quite entertaining too.

[cob]

A small hole and a foamy wash can be quite entertaining too.

Been writing your name on the ceiling Chris?

[NZChris]

A small hole and a foamy wash can be quite entertaining too.

Been writing your name on the ceiling Chris?

In molasses

[Dancing4dan]

Wonder if it will change the flavour….of the product. I’m sure the beating would be a new flavour!

[whiskymonster]

Wonder if it will change the flavour….of the product. I’m sure the beating would be a new flavour!

I actually did similar years ago, but with a stainless corny keg. Some of us idiots just don't learn.

Left the lid on to keep any nasties out, and at some point either me or the mrs must have pressed down the lever and sealed it.

Yeasties died before fermenting dry due to the pressure i guess. I had to put a ball valve and a length of beer line on, and just let it spurt under high pressure into another fermenter. Cant release the gas through the co2 port as it has a one way valve, and there was no way i was willing or able to crack the top with that pressure behind it.

Repitched, allowed it to finish and noticed absolutely no difference in the final product.

On a separate occasion many years ago, i was using cheap plastic boxes as fermenters. Evidently too cheap, as one cracked and leaked all bran and sugar all over the flat, and through the ceiling of the flat below. The mrs at the time was less than pleased shall we say.
The beating ain't a new flavour, but not a recipe im gonna reproduce anytime soon!

Well, not intentionally at least. As i say. Idiots dont learn....

[still_stirrin]

…The mrs at the time… Idiots dont learn....

This, right here, tells me your protocol needs to be improved.

As I often advise, “be safe, responsible, and discrete”.
ss

[whiskymonster]

Couple of drunken cockups over a decade aint too bad going in my book. Especially considering its only fermenters. A mess and a bollocking i can probably deal with.

Working the big girl is a completely different kettle of fish though. Always set up the night before and start early with a clear head, always with plenty of space and a powder extinguisher i have never needed and hope never to need. Electric setup, grounded properly and fed from an rcd protected socket. Never made a mistake that wasnt correctable by throwing it all back in the boiler and trying again.

Dont worry feller, im careful to the point of paranoid with the real kit!