Baglorious
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I want to do 15 gallon (finished) batches. Sure wish someone would market a stainless bucket-style 18-20 gallon fermenter with at least a somewhat conical/domed bottom that would fit in a kegerator. Like a bigger SS Brewbucket or Spike Flex. But no one does.
I own a Blichmann 20gal G2 kettle/mashtun. Blichmann offers teflon gaskets (for about $5) to allow the diptube to rotate. Could seemingly work as a big stainless fermenter that could do the job. Just need a satisfactory method to seal the lid for (non or minimally pressurized) fermenter use.
The Anvil FIAK kit/gasket is my inspiration, and I've already checked with Anvil/Blichmann, and the gasket for the Anvil FIAK is fitted for the Anvil kettle only. Also... I don't love the idea of silicone, as it has (seemingly unacceptable?) oxygen permeability for use on a fermenter, particularly in a gasket the size of the kettle rim. Not trying to overthink this, but if I'm going to do it, I'd prefer to do it as effectively as possible.
The Blichmann lid (from a G2 kettle) has a nice inverted "channel" around the edge that sits on top of and cups the kettle rim.
If I do use silicone, I know that the food grade silicone sealant (aquariums) is widely available. I could probably run a bead in the channel of the lid, perhaps heat it lightly with a heat gun so that it "flows" level and partially fills the channel.
However, I'd prefer Buna-N or EPDM... something along those lines.
One idea: I've looked extensively at the (FDA grade) Buna-N and EPDM products at places like Grainger and McMaster. There are adhesive backed strips in various thicknesses, like 1/16", 3/32," 1/8" that come in strips 3 feet long. The smallest width they have is 2"... but my thought is I'd cut it (with a straight edge and an x-acto) to make a long strip of the correct width. (Unsure on whether Buna-N or EPDM would be preferable.)
Second thought: Get a 5' piece of food grade Buna N or EPDM tubing of proper diameter (probably around 5/16" ID?) and slit it along its length, and just wrap it over the top of the kettle rim. (I'd figure out how to mate the ends of the tubing... or just a dab of keg-lube each time I use it.) This second idea is attractive, as I could theoretically (easily) take the gasket on and off the kettle rim.
Final bit of info: I'd likely just place two or three weight plates (about 10-15 lbs worth) on the lid when using this as a fermenter. That might supply enough weight on the gasket that I could push the beer out with a couple pounds of pressure. (I'm well versed in tinkering, have parts, experience, and will not blow up my brew-cave.)
Anyone have good success making a Buna-N or EPDM gasket for a 20 gal kettle lid? Or better ideas? Material recommendations?
If so, please share, and thanks in advance.
I own a Blichmann 20gal G2 kettle/mashtun. Blichmann offers teflon gaskets (for about $5) to allow the diptube to rotate. Could seemingly work as a big stainless fermenter that could do the job. Just need a satisfactory method to seal the lid for (non or minimally pressurized) fermenter use.
The Anvil FIAK kit/gasket is my inspiration, and I've already checked with Anvil/Blichmann, and the gasket for the Anvil FIAK is fitted for the Anvil kettle only. Also... I don't love the idea of silicone, as it has (seemingly unacceptable?) oxygen permeability for use on a fermenter, particularly in a gasket the size of the kettle rim. Not trying to overthink this, but if I'm going to do it, I'd prefer to do it as effectively as possible.
The Blichmann lid (from a G2 kettle) has a nice inverted "channel" around the edge that sits on top of and cups the kettle rim.
If I do use silicone, I know that the food grade silicone sealant (aquariums) is widely available. I could probably run a bead in the channel of the lid, perhaps heat it lightly with a heat gun so that it "flows" level and partially fills the channel.
However, I'd prefer Buna-N or EPDM... something along those lines.
One idea: I've looked extensively at the (FDA grade) Buna-N and EPDM products at places like Grainger and McMaster. There are adhesive backed strips in various thicknesses, like 1/16", 3/32," 1/8" that come in strips 3 feet long. The smallest width they have is 2"... but my thought is I'd cut it (with a straight edge and an x-acto) to make a long strip of the correct width. (Unsure on whether Buna-N or EPDM would be preferable.)
Second thought: Get a 5' piece of food grade Buna N or EPDM tubing of proper diameter (probably around 5/16" ID?) and slit it along its length, and just wrap it over the top of the kettle rim. (I'd figure out how to mate the ends of the tubing... or just a dab of keg-lube each time I use it.) This second idea is attractive, as I could theoretically (easily) take the gasket on and off the kettle rim.
Final bit of info: I'd likely just place two or three weight plates (about 10-15 lbs worth) on the lid when using this as a fermenter. That might supply enough weight on the gasket that I could push the beer out with a couple pounds of pressure. (I'm well versed in tinkering, have parts, experience, and will not blow up my brew-cave.)
Anyone have good success making a Buna-N or EPDM gasket for a 20 gal kettle lid? Or better ideas? Material recommendations?
If so, please share, and thanks in advance.
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