And then there were two

atregent · Post by **atregent** » Sunday Dec 31, 2006 6:57 am

I've been brewing for less than a week now, and I have a second fermenter going. I didn't intend it to be that way though...

Took a trip to the Brewcraft store where my girlfriend got me my chrissy present yesterday to get a Beez Knees kit. While I was there I thought I may as well ask about a second fermenter, it was going to be around $47.

Remembering that big w was having a sale on Coopers kits for $59 with 30 bottles, figured I may as well get one. Not overly impressed with the quality of the bits and pieces in the Coopers kit versus the Brewcraft kit I scored for Christmas, but for the price I guess I can't complain.

Got up this morning expecting to see the airlock bubbling away, but nothing. Turns out the lid didn't seal very well, so after a bit of jiggling and some duct tape, we're in business.

Gonna have to build a brew room if things keep going at this rate

SpillsMostOfIt · Post by **SpillsMostOfIt** » Sunday Dec 31, 2006 9:14 am

I think others will have different experiences, but I am fairly happy with the substantial bits of the Coopers kit. Having said that, I have replaced the airlock with a two-piece jigger from Big W, as it is quieter and makes me less fearful of sucking filter water into the fermenter when moving it. My stick-on thermometer has died too.

I bought a Bunnings 25L water jerry for my second fermenter - using a 17-25mm bung instead of a grommet for the airlock. I intend doing some half-size brews in there to help build up the drinking stocks then using it to test the 'rack to secondary' theory.

Someone suggested and I've tried replacing the lid/air-lock with cling-wrap on the basis that the positive pressure of fermentation will keep the nasties out, but for me the motion of an airlock provides a nice visual indicator that everything is going alright.

lethaldog · Post by **lethaldog** » Sunday Dec 31, 2006 10:14 am

I have 4 coopers kits and i reckon they are tops, my fermenters get a real solid workout all year round and ive never had any problems with sealing, the only problem i have ever had with them was i was stupid enough to drop one of the hydrometers on the shed floor ( accidently) and spent the next 20 mins cleaning up shattered glass, you wouldnt believe how much glass is in one of those things untill you drop/smash it, i could have sworn i smashed the shed window

Beau · Post by **Beau** » Sunday Dec 31, 2006 10:26 am

I think the Brewcraft fermenters are the very best. They're just very sturdy and reliable.

Emo · Post by **Emo** » Sunday Dec 31, 2006 12:23 pm

I'm pretty happy with my Coopers kit.

buscador · Post by **buscador** » Sunday Dec 31, 2006 12:28 pm

went to brew craft yesterday for the first time
saw the fermenter, got brew shield and brew clean
as i have a coopers and am happy with it
i will buy my second depending on the sale of either

on anther note, the capper that comes with the lowest
priced fermenter package-that you have to smash with a hammer!!
looked like something out of 2001 Space Odyssey

wheres the apeman when you need him?
b

Shaun · Post by **Shaun** » Sunday Dec 31, 2006 7:39 pm

If the fermenter is a pail ie clip on lid with straight sides it is good.

If the fermenter is a carboy style ie screw on lid, handles in the side, small opening at the top it is bad.

Go the pail.

JubJub · Post by **JubJub** » Monday Jan 01, 2007 11:12 am

Hey Splillsmostofit,

I had an infected brew a couple of months back ad threw out all of the bungs taps etc. Got some new ones and put the brew together only to fing I didn't buy any airlock bungs. I now only use clingwrap and use the seal from the lid as the rubber band. The upside is you can see the brew clearly an you don't have to worry about the airlock water suking back.

Jub

lethaldog · Post by **lethaldog** » Monday Jan 01, 2007 11:20 am

Shaun wrote:If the fermenter is a pail ie clip on lid with straight sides it is good.

If the fermenter is a carboy style ie screw on lid, handles in the side, small opening at the top it is bad.

Go the pail.

ppppfffftttttt

Dont listen to that rubbish, they are both good, i have had both and the myth that the screw tops are harder to clean and dont seal is a load of shite

Tipsy · Post by **Tipsy** » Monday Jan 01, 2007 4:32 pm

lethaldog wrote:
Shaun wrote:If the fermenter is a pail ie clip on lid with straight sides it is good.

If the fermenter is a carboy style ie screw on lid, handles in the side, small opening at the top it is bad.

Go the pail.
ppppfffftttttt
Dont listen to that rubbish, they are both good, i have had both and the myth that the screw tops are harder to clean and dont seal is a load of shite

ppppfffffttt
Don't listen to Leighs rubbish, I have both and the pails are heaps better

lethaldog · Post by **lethaldog** » Monday Jan 01, 2007 4:52 pm

Here comes the age old Pail vs carboy argument, like i said i have both and dont think one is better than the other but each to thier own, im certainly not going to sit here and tell a bloke that what he just bought is absolute crap, arnt we supposed to encourage ppl here and not try to put them off

buscador · Post by **buscador** » Monday Jan 01, 2007 5:54 pm

thanks lethal and fellow friendly brewers
there is much to be learned from you guys and girls
as a newcomer to this forum / site i am looking to read positive replies to my questions, as dumb as they may be, hey i am a beginner...

yes i bottled my 3rd brew this morning and am quite proud with how much i have learned thus far, i will be getting another fermenter soon as i want to try so many things and one fermenter is not enough

looking forward to the new year and the beer to be brewed in it!
b

Tipsy · Post by **Tipsy** » Tuesday Jan 02, 2007 7:31 pm

lethaldog wrote:im certainly not going to sit here and tell a bloke that what he just bought is absolute crap,

It's not telling the bloke that what he bought is crap.
It's giving advice to someone who is thinking of purchasing a new fermenter.
I agree Lethal that they will both brew exactly the same beer. It is just that one type is a bit more user friendly.

lethaldog · Post by **lethaldog** » Tuesday Jan 02, 2007 8:06 pm

Tipsy wrote:
lethaldog wrote:im certainly not going to sit here and tell a bloke that what he just bought is absolute crap,
It's not telling the bloke that what he bought is crap.
It's giving advice to someone who is thinking of purchasing a new fermenter.
I agree Lethal that they will both brew exactly the same beer. It is just that one type is a bit more user friendly.

He had already bought it so basically thats how it is, i just dont get the whole argument, as you said they both brew the same stuff just as well, And i have to disagree that 1 is more user friendly cos they are both a piece of piss to use and clean etc...

If pails are so user friendly then why do all new kits i.e coopers, tooheys, brewcraft etc come with screwtops considering that coopers used to have pails in thier kits?????????????

SpillsMostOfIt · Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 6:50 am

lethaldog wrote: If pails are so user friendly then why do all new kits i.e coopers, tooheys, brewcraft etc come with screwtops considering that coopers used to have pails in thier kits?????????????

For the same reason that CUB beer products come in screw-top bottles when they used to come with crown seals?

The thing that has me wondering is how much effort the brewers who use the *really big* glass bottles (carboys?) for fermenting go to when cleaning. I tried using a 15 litre jerry from Bunnings and gave up after one brew as it is just too hard. You need to hit it with a pressure washer to be sure.

morgs · Post by **morgs** » Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 8:22 am

Both have advantages and disadvantages just get over it. Ive got three fermentors, one coopers, two pails. I only brew in the coopers cause i like the see thru lid and i don't like using glad wrap as there is no protection from anything heavyish . The pails are for secondary, i find them useful for secondary use as they dont have a massive headspace to hold oxygen when racking. You can brew in anything that holds beer if your keen.

Shaun · Post by **Shaun** » Wednesday Jan 03, 2007 11:19 am

lethaldog wrote:
Tipsy wrote:
lethaldog wrote: If pails are so user friendly then why do all new kits i.e coopers, tooheys, brewcraft etc come with screwtops considering that coopers used to have pails in thier kits?????????????

The same reason VHS took off and Beta (the better standard) did not, marketing.

However as you have said both will brew a beer you just need to be aware off the issues with each.

Tipsy · Post by **Tipsy** » Thursday Jan 04, 2007 7:44 pm

lethaldog wrote:And i have to disagree that 1 is more user friendly cos they are both a piece of piss to use and clean etc...

Pails
Pros: 1. seal immediately air tight. 2. Don't have an o'ring to clean. 3. you can pick them up by the handle without air sucking back through the lock. 4. Have a larger opening (always easier to get things in a bigger hole) 5. Are easier to clean.

Cons: 1. I had to put measurements on mine. 2. Mine only holds 25lts

Coopers
Pros: 1. Hold 30lts 2. The lube you need to get a good seal also works in the bedroom.

Cons: See Pails Pros.

I'll say once again that they both brew beer exactly the same, and I know that you don't have to have a good seal to brew good beer. But I paid good money for my Coopers fermenters and it shits me that they leak.

lethaldog · Post by **lethaldog** » Thursday Jan 04, 2007 8:26 pm

I'll say once again that they both brew beer exactly the same, and I know that you don't have to have a good seal to brew good beer. But I paid good money for my Coopers fermenters and it shits me that they leak

Mine dont

KEG · Post by **KEG** » Thursday Jan 04, 2007 11:11 pm

so far, i haven't had any seal problems with my coopers fermenter. what do you guys think about using vegetable oil to seal the o-ring? it's just easier to come by compared to KY (and easier to buy with a straight face when buying glad wrap

)

Tipsy wrote:4. Have a larger opening (always easier to get things in a bigger hole)

doesn't it get to the point where it's like throwing a sausage down a hallway?

chris