Fermentation - Big bucket Vs. several smaller buckets

[Corsaire]

What are those bags made of? The big ones I can get here have a nasty chemical smell. I'm not going to use one of those anytime soon.

[Tabucowboy]

Just picked this up.





I don't think it is the same kind of mash I am making.



Maybe If I don't wash is so well I can have pepper vodka that catches you on fire.

[Windswept]

This whole corona virus thing got me outta work for a while, so I got me a 275 gallon ibc tote for ujssm.

I was going to ask if anyone uses IBCs for fermenting, and what challenges they present. I did a big batch of apple brandy in the fall, and it was a pain juggling all the different fermenters, so I was thinking about using one IBC and doing it all at once.

An IBC for UJSSM is aggressive though, that's gonna be a lot of distilling! I love it!

[still_stirrin]

Wow....why do you need a 275 gallon fermenter? Are you commercial? If so, then display your distiller’s permit.

It is understandable to “upscale” to a 55 gallon drum for a keg boiler because that would be 3 charges worth. Even so, that would produce a lot of drinking liquor for a single ferment. But handling a drum of ferment can be difficult, ie - 350 lbs., or more.

An IBC tote would require a forklift and make a lot of liquor....enough to attract attention of law enforcement. Definitely beyond a hobbiest’s level of production.

Always, be safe, responsible, and discrete.
ss

[Truckinbutch]

None of my bidness what size fermentor you use . Use it well and don't waste no mash .

[LunaDogFever707]

Still-stirrin, I run a small little China still about 5 gallon volume, but I ferment for myself and others in the area that like the stuff.

[ShineonCrazyDiamond]

I don't care what you're exchanging. If you talk about getting something in return for liquor, you're breaking our rules. That is not welcomed here.

[Windswept]

Wow....why do you need a 275 gallon fermenter? Are you commercial? If so, then display your distiller’s permit.

I'm not commerical, maybe some day, but for now I'm in the process of upgrading to a 15ga still, currently running an 8ga. I did about 10 bushels of apples into a mix of brandy and "grappa" this fall, and I had 7 garbage cans of wash on the go at the same time. It was a pain in the butt, the wash wasn't particularly high alcohol because I didn't add any sugar, and it took up all the space in my basement distilling room. Not to mention the clean up and disposal of all the wash residue and the fruit flies...

My plan for next harvest is to process all the apples in my attached garage (instead of the basement) and do a single gigantic batch of low-alcohol grappa using the pressed apple chunks, then pump it down to the basement to distill. I agree, a 275ga fermenter of 10% abv is a lot of alcohol, but the same fermenter of 3% abv is not so crazy.

[jonnys_spirit]

Sounds like depending on how you want to run it you could do about 20 strips in a 15g potty and 2-3 spirits if it’s in the 3% abv range. Maybe 6 gallons +/- of barrel strength after cuts - give or take... guesstimate not even napkin math.

A like sized thumper and pre heater could help with your overall run time processing. At least a month of weekends if you’re bangin it hard with long stillin and cleaning days.

Low ABV ferment and pure fruit is going to make a nice drop.

Cheers,
Jonny

[Windswept]

That's the plan, 15ga boiler, 8ga thumper. My father in law is retired and doesn't mind babysitting stripping runs for days on end. Considering he also drinks the stuff like it's his job, it works out.

Muzzle not the oxen that treadeth out the corn!