buyng shiney from eBay France

[bigcat]

Cheers Barneey,
My thoughts behind the thermopot as a fv was when transfering from the boiler through a heat exchange into the fv, the temp would be correct and then if put into a fermentation fridge/cupboard the temperature would be more stable (but i also agree with what you are saying that it would help in the transfer of heat/cold if the temp wasn't right)
I also thought that the clamp on lid would allow for a better seal than the standard lid with the un-insulated pot and was thinking of installing an automatic air release valve to the lid.
Thanks for your help
Graeme

[barneey]

No Problems, regarding the choice of size there is quite a good thread here, I would also ask yourself do you really need the factory supplied taps, you would probadly be better getting a pot without them and fitting your own.

In the end I went for for a 80 / 60 / 80 thermo pot set up and a set 100 / 70 / 100 single sink pots for future plans.

Also if not mentioned on here, thermo pots = NO GAS as a heating source.

Good luck with the build

[bigcat]

Cheers for the reply and the link to the thread, I'm sure that I will have a lot more questions before I'm finished.
I served my time as a fitter for a large drugs company, so I have plenty of experience in 316 stainless and plumbing but might need pointing in the right direction for fittings etc. (like where to get a deck fitting with a 1/2" tail).

it's amazing that I spent my early years (16 - 25) surround by stainless steel and never saw its true beauty!

Cheers again
Graeme

[stu-le-brew]

As you make larger volumes you need to be aware that the fermentation itself generates heat, particularly in the early most vigorous fermentation. At volumes of 5 gallons its not really noticeable, but with an insulated fermenter I think problems of a too hot a fermentation are highly likely.

Stu_le_brew

[bigcat]

Cheers Stu - excellent bit of advice. I will go for a non-insulated pot for the fv, can anyone point me in the direction of what the majority of people use for a fv for 50-60l brew lenghts?

Cheers
Graeme

[stu-le-brew]

I use 60ltr fermenting barrel/buckets from Brouwland click here (catalog number 017.751.9 for the 60ltr) I have four of them and one 30ltr. They come in 30,60,120 and 210 ltr sizes, I have seen them on UK websites but can't remember were.

My only negative is the plastic taps are not very useful so I have replaced them with brass ones, this is quite simple as the tap hole is 1/2" BSP thread .

Stu

[bigcat]

Thanks Stu, found several 60ltr fv's online (or 60L HDPE blue drums - cheap option) so will be purchasing one soon. Ive just made payment for my pots so hopefully they will be with me soon. I went for a 100L pot (to be used as a gas heated copper) 80L thermopot (electric HLT) and 60L thermopot (for MT) and now i can start buying the necessary equipment, fittings and tools for the conversions.
Hopefully with all the reading of threads ive done (and saved) i have most of the knowledge i require for a successful conversion.

All the best for 2012
Graeme

[stu-le-brew]

I use the blue drums to make brandy in each year (that's eau de vie), before anyone gets excited I live in France where this is fairly legal. In fact the day spent at the travelling still is a high spot of the year, very hillbilly - maybe I should get out more !

I personally prefer the semi clear plastic for fermenting beer as its easy to see if they are clean, and check for build up of beer stone, which is a brown deposit on the surface - not sure you would see this with a dark blue drum

good luck with your conversion, I wish I had gone for a thermopot for my HLT, but I will get around to insulating it soon

happy brew year
Stu