Fermenting in a corny keg

[Pinski]

Has anyone that uses a quick connect to attach a blowoff hose ever had any clogging problems?  I was thinking this could be an issue so I was thinking of removing the poppet from the IN port and just attaching some silicone tubing to that with a pinch clamp.

[tomsawyer]

I use a pressure relief valve attached to a QD and I've had some krausen blow into/through the valve, it didn't clog.  You probably have a 50-60psi pressure relief valve on the lid that would prevent something really bad from happening.

I only got krausen from a 4.25gal batch of weizen.  I try and keep batch sizes closer to 3gal.  If you're fermenting 5gal I think your idea of removing the poppet would be a good idea because there will definitely be a lot of blowoff.

[denny]

So you are fermenting in cornies now?

I still don't understand how you'd get the yeast out of there for repitching if pushing it out doesn't work well.  I would think dumping it from the opening of the keg would be risky.

Sometimes.  If I make a batch larger than 5 gal., I use a 10 gal. corny to ferment in.  I just pour the leftover yeast out.

[denny]

Has anyone that uses a quick connect to attach a blowoff hose ever had any clogging problems?  I was thinking this could be an issue so I was thinking of removing the poppet from the IN port and just attaching some silicone tubing to that with a pinch clamp.

Nope, never.  But you certainly could remove the poppet to be safe.

[tom]

Has anyone that uses a quick connect to attach a blowoff hose ever had any clogging problems?  I was thinking this could be an issue so I was thinking of removing the poppet from the IN port and just attaching some silicone tubing to that with a pinch clamp.

Nope, never.  But you certainly could remove the poppet to be safe.

Me neither!   

[dcbc]

Has anyone that uses a quick connect to attach a blowoff hose ever had any clogging problems?  I was thinking this could be an issue so I was thinking of removing the poppet from the IN port and just attaching some silicone tubing to that with a pinch clamp.

This is what I do and never had a problem with blowoff.  I have a fair amount of headspace though.  I have a 15 gallon corny for 11 gallon batches and use a 10 gallon corny for the occasional 7 gallon batch.  If I were running tight on space, I might consider other options I suppose.

[richardt]

A conical fermenter now seems so ...practical.

[dcbc]

After 3 years of no trouble with my 15 gallon corny, I can't imagine something much more practical.  Large, stainless, fits in chest freezer, costs under $300, liquid and gas ports included.

Only downside is that it's heavy when it's full.  But there are easy ways to get around that hurdle.

In a perfect world, a 27 gallon heated and cooled conical next to the brew stand would be wonderful.  But for the price, the big keg is a pretty sweet deal.

[tomsawyer]

Where do you all score these giant cornies?

Edited to add: never mind I found some on ebay.

[dcbc]

Got mine as a second from kegglebrewing.com

Chico Company has them as well.

[ajk]

Has anyone that uses a quick connect to attach a blowoff hose ever had any clogging problems?  I was thinking this could be an issue so I was thinking of removing the poppet from the IN port and just attaching some silicone tubing to that with a pinch clamp.

Never any clogging here.

[tomsawyer]

$200 for 10gal or $300 for 15gal isn't bad considering you already have an opening for cleaning and gas/liquid QDs for easy maneuvering of liquids and pressurized fermentation and/or carbonation.  A similarly sized conical is quite a bit more expensive.  Seems like a 15gal would be cheapest since you can brew an 11gal batch and fill two carboys.

[dcbc]

Just a quick heads up for anyone considering the 15 gallon corny to ferment.  They are heavy when full.  My chest freezer required a 12" collar to accomodate the 15 gallon corny and wheels to move it around since I put the corny into it empty and then pump the wort to it.

Once you get past that, it really has been a great fermentation vessel for the money.  Been using it for about two-and-a-half years and have been very happy with it.

[stadelman]

Have been fermenting in a 10 gallon keg for quite a while.  It works great!  I use a cask widge flow when transferring to reduce/eliminate sediment pickup all the while not wasting any beer.

[tom]

Have been fermenting in a 10 gallon keg for quite a while.  It works great!  I use a cask widge flow when transferring to reduce/eliminate sediment pickup all the while not wasting any beer.

Awesome idea!  I bought one to try for serving, but using it in the corny fermenter is genius!  Just pop a little gas-in diptube on the beer-out side and push the silicone hose on?