How much mash to put into fermenter?

Boots · Post by **Boots** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 5:20 pm

I may just be looking in the wrong parts of this site for this info, or typing in the wrong search terms, but if I were using a 5L mini beer keg for a fermenter, how far up should I fill it? Is 4L too much, if there was a fermentation lock on top? I figure it is pretty pressure resistant because it held a bunch of carbonated beer, but for the life of me I can't find the answer.

Thanks

nanosleep · Post by **nanosleep** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:06 pm

It depends on what you are fermenting. For a sugar wash I usually fill the fermenter very full (maybe 95%). If you are doing strained liquid from grains, you'll need more head space to control foaming. I would fill about 80%. If you are using mashed fruits or something similar with lots of solids, I would ferment in a food grade bucket with lid. Fruits with pulp tend to build a big head of foam and pulp. I like to stir this down about once a day. Also you'll need to get your arm into the fermenter to clean out the pulp after fermentation. Some of the same rules apply to filling your boiler. Sugar washes don't foam much and can be filled 80% (leave a little room for boiling and splashing). Grain or other washes may only be able to be 50% filled. Lots of variables here. Hope this helps.

Also you don't want to build ANY pressure. In my younger days I exploded several glass bottles trying to get a sparkling wine. I wouldn't recommend this. Use a proper airlock for "bottle" fermentations. I use loose fitting lid for bucket ferments. This works ok when the mash is actively fermenting. It produces enough carbon dioxide to keep the oxygen pushed out. You'll need to move it to a sealed fermenter with airlock or just distill it after the fermentation dies down. In a pinch I've also stuffed a bit of paper towel in the neck of the bottle fermenter and put a cup upside down over the neck. Again you'll want to distill or install a proper airlock after fermentation slows.

Boots · Post by **Boots** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 3:58 am

Thanks. This would be a grain wash, and it sounds like I'm within the parameters, maybe a little full, but there is a standard airlock on top of the keg.

pothead · Post by **pothead** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 5:43 am

5 liters????

I'd go bigger than that. you're only gonna get like a shot-glass out of it.

Boots · Post by **Boots** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 5:59 am

I know, this is just the first test, hunting down a 5 gallon water bottle or bucket. Didn't want to start practicing with all my grain, mess something up, and waste the whole deal, plus I couldn't get out of the house so I had to Macguyver the thing.

Post by **Husker** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:15 am

pothead
5 liters????

I'd go bigger than that. you're only gonna get like a shot-glass out of it.

I am running from a 4L (probably 5L if you "filled" up the pot), and you can make some product, but YES, it is way too slow, and too much time involved. Like PH stated, get a bigger kettle.

As for amount of mash to put in there, I almost always put in 4L (which is about an inch and a half or so under the top of the kettle. I have not had any boil overs. I have used sugar washes, and UJ sour mash. NOTE I am clearing my mash (pretty much clear at least), prior to distillation, and fermenting until there is no sweetness at all (or using a hydrometer for a sugar mash). You may simply have to try different amounts in your boiler, to find out what is 'safe' and what is not 'safe' (i.e. where you end up with mash in your output).

H.

Post by **Husker** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:21 am

Boots
I know, this is just the first test, hunting down a 5 gallon water bottle or bucket. Didn't want to start practicing with all my grain, mess something up, and waste the whole deal, plus I couldn't get out of the house so I had to Macguyver the thing.

Heck, 5L is better than a tea kettle

H.

Boots · Post by **Boots** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:03 am

Ha ha, that's true. I'm gonna grab a nice big pot this friday, cuz it's payday, and I'll have that sucker set up in no time. I want to practice a bit first, which is why the small batch, I'd rather throw away 5L than 5G if something goes south.