Use HLT as Fermentor?

[DucBrewer]

Wanted to get you opinion about using my converted keg HLT as a Fermentor? I have a lid that covers to top opening completely so nothing can really get in there and the lid but doesn't fit too snugly so the CO2 will have no problem escaping. I figured I could also cover the top of the Keg with foil so that any drafts created by the fan in the refrigerator would not blow onto the lid.

Any thought about this would be appreciated.

[one_dead_soul]

i would try to get the cover to fit snugly and then add an airlock. you don't want any bad bugs in there. but if you don't want to do that you can try the way you were saying.. i would just try it with a cheeper beer first.

tom

[BrewerJ]

I have done it several times, mainly so I could brew 10 gallon batches. Just make sure the ball valves are sanitized well and since its your hlt the boiling water will do that for you. I have done it with the lid completely off and just covered by a cheese cloth. Open fermentation and a lot of breweries do it. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot is done with open fermentation. I think your lid with tinfoil will be completely sufficient at keep bugs out. Try it and I bet you will be impressed at how good it works. The only downside is you cant brew until you get your HLT back.

[DucBrewer]

Thanks for the responses guys!

BrewerJ, my normal procedure with Carboys was to Primary for 7 to 14 days or whatever I felt the beer needed then I crash cool down to 32 for a couple days degrees before I keg. Wondering how this compares to your procedures and if you have had any problems with oxygen getting to our beer?

[BrewerJ]

I have a very similar procedure. Oxygen hasn't been a problem because I racked the beer in to cornies as soon as it was done. If you do this the beer should be gassing off co2 slowly to keep a nice little blanket of protection. Just don't do any extended aging in the hlt.

[Quin]

Just make sure the ball valves are sanitized well and since its your hlt the boiling water will do that for you.

I'm not sure about your process, but my HLT doesn't get over 170-175. I would remove valve from HLT, soak in sanitizer, reassemble, and bring a quart of water to boil to steam santize the keg.

[BrewerJ]

If I know that I am going to use my hlt for a fermentor i fill it up and boil water with the lid on and run it through the ball valves. Sterilizes everything that the beer comes in contact with.

[Charlie]

If you get a healthy blowoff it could raise the lid and allow bugs to get in the brew. Most of the bugs would go out with the foam, but at some point the foam is going to fall and anything entrained in it will fall back in the fermenter.

And it won't be possible to contain the blowoff. You're gonna have to live with a sticky mess until you rack it.

Charlie