New toy

[rewestpak]

Group,

We currently brew 10 gallon batches using a three keg setup.  Mash, HLT, and boil set up as a HERMS system.  We’re looking to increase the batch size to about 30 gallons, and with that in mind, I just acquired a stainless steel 55 gallon drum.  A few questions for the group.

1.  It’s used, and I don’t know what it was used for.  How do I avoid poisoning myself?  I was thinking about getting it electro-polished and passivated.  Is that overkill?  Is there another way?

2.  I was thinking about using it for the boil kettle.  Any thoughts?

3.  Finally, if you wanted a mash tun for a 30 gallon batch, what would you use?  I’d much rather fabricate something than buy a finished product.  It is a hobby, after all.

Appreciate any ideas.

Take Care,
Randy

[brewark]

@rewestpak

Group,

We (I’m assuming you’ve got a couple of friends & not just a spouse)currently brew 10 gallon batches using a three keg setup.  Mash, HLT, and boil set up as a HERMS system.  We’re looking to increase the batch size to about 30 gallons(that’s a lot), and with that in mind, I just acquired a stainless steel 55 gallon drum.  A few questions for the group.

1.  It’s used, and I don’t know what it was used for.  How do I avoid poisoning myself?  I was thinking about getting it electro-polished and passivated.  Is that overkill?(unless it was storing plutonium, it’s probably overkill)  Is there another way? (I’d say an S.O.S pad followed by a few days in the air to self passivate)

2.  I was thinking about using it for the boil kettle.  Any thoughts?(me too, but you’re gonna need a big burner)

3.  Finally, if you wanted a mash tun for a 30 gallon batch, what would you use?  I’d much rather fabricate something than buy a finished product.  It is a hobby, after all. (30 gallons is getting close to something beyond a hobby - an obsession maybe. I brew mostly alone so if I came across a 55 gallon drum, it would only store grain for me.)

Appreciate any ideas.

Take Care,
Randy

[hokerer]

@brewark

I brew mostly alone so if I came across a 55 gallon drum, it would only store grain for me.

If I come across a 55 gallon drum, it’s gonna become a UDS

[wingnut]

@rewestpak

1.  It’s used, and I don’t know what it was used for.  How do I avoid poisoning myself?  I was thinking about getting it electro-polished and passivated.  Is that overkill?(unless it was storing plutonium, it’s probably overkill)  Is there another way? (I’d say an S.O.S pad followed by a few days in the air to self passivate)

AVOID THE SOS PAD… the steel wool will deposit some trace iron on the wall of the kettle and allow rust to develop… so the SOS pad will do just the opposite of passivating!  Instead use a green scrubbie, or some sand paper.  Just don’t use iron based scrubbing device!

[euge]

There’s a fine line between hobby and obsession when it comes to homebrewing. :

I’m also looking to go larger to take advantage of the cooler months. If I could do 30 gallons at a whack then I’d hit my limit fairly quickly and only have to brew a few times and have beer for the whole year.

I batch sparge so to do a 14-15 gallon boil a 70qt is just about the minimum. If you’re fly-sparging you might need another drum or two as a mash tun and hot liquor tank.

[hamiltont]

3)  200 qt cooler? - http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0048321517650a&navCount=3&podId=0048321&parentId=cat20093&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20075-cat20087-cat20093&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20093&hasJS=true Man that’s a long URL!! :o
But I also have to agree with BrewArk.  That would make some delicious Q to go along with the Brew!!!

[tschmidlin]

@hokerer

If I come across a 55 gallon drum, it’s gonna become a UDS

Acronym translation failure . . . help me out?

[hamiltont]

@tschmidlin

@hokerer

If I come across a 55 gallon drum, it’s gonna become a UDS

Acronym translation failure . . . help me out?

Ugly Drum Smoker. http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23436

[euge]

“Ultimate Drum Smoker”

[tschmidlin]

Cool, I checked out a few sites and now I want one. I’ll add it to the list of projects . . .

[brewark]

@wingnut

@rewestpak

1.  It’s used, and I don’t know what it was used for.  How do I avoid poisoning myself?  I was thinking about getting it electro-polished and passivated.  Is that overkill?(unless it was storing plutonium, it’s probably overkill)  Is there another way? (I’d say an S.O.S pad followed by a few days in the air to self passivate)

AVOID THE SOS PAD… the steel wool will deposit some trace iron on the wall of the kettle and allow rust to develop… so the SOS pad will do just the opposite of passivating!  Instead use a green scrubbie, or some sand paper.  Just don’t use iron based scrubbing device!

Duh!  I knew that.  What was I “thinking”. ???  That’s why I have the ss scrubbie.

Guess I shouldn’t be on the board at that time of morning!  I’ll have to give 'em their money back.

[rewestpak]

Group,

Thanks for the ideas.  I’ll just scrub and allow to oxidize.

As you can see, me and my friend are trying to walk the fine line between hobby and obsession.  I’m a chemical engineer who sells software for a living, so I need to get my fix somehow.  Just wait until I fabricate a burner setup for the drum…

–Randy