I have 3 55gal drums and one 85gal, all stainless with removable lids and two tri-clamp ports installed at the bottom. I’ve been unsure what to do with them (they currently reside at a farm), but today it occurred to me that they’d potentially make a very natural electric 3-vessel setup. Could these feasibly be used as a 3-vessel setup, with the 85gal as a fermentor? If so, what modifications might need to be made? I would most likely just use this occasionally for seasonal brews or when friends want to split a grain bill.
I would strongly prefer an electric set up, the power is likely available (there’s for sure a 240v 50a circuit always open, likely multiple I can borrow on brew day), and we have plenty of extra pumps, elements, etc laying around. Tbh I’ve been dabbling with the idea of opening a brewery in my small town if rent was cheap enough, so I’m wondering how viable this is. I already have a 1BBL eBAIB, but from what I understand single vessel really bottlenecks production since you’re stuck on one batch until it’s being chilled and transferred out, while a 3-vessel system can start working on the next batch as soon as the first vessel is cleared. But I’ve only ever done BIAB.
I would strongly prefer an electric set up, the power is likely available (there’s for sure a 240v 50a circuit always open, likely multiple I can borrow on brew day), and we have plenty of extra pumps, elements, etc laying around. Tbh I’ve been dabbling with the idea of opening a brewery in my small town if rent was cheap enough, so I’m wondering how viable this is. I already have a 1BBL eBAIB, but from what I understand single vessel really bottlenecks production since you’re stuck on one batch until it’s being chilled and transferred out, while a 3-vessel system can start working on the next batch as soon as the first vessel is cleared. But I’ve only ever done BIAB.
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