IBC Fermentation

[Sean B]

Evening all, I'm sure this has already been discussed... but, we have
recently "filled" a 600 ltr ibc with juice, and it has now started to
actively ferment.
To date the screw lid has been loosely resting in place, and we are
now ready to make a hole and fit the airlock (incidentally, Vigo say a
standard demijohn type bubbler will suffice).
The dilemma involves the un-level roof of the ibc, creating air
pockets in the shoulders. Fermentation activity is resulting in the
juice being pushed up to the top of the neck, above these shoulders.
So, what should we do? Do we need to eliminate these air pockets? If
so, how?
Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Sean

[Nick at Ciderniks]

I've had no problems with leaving the air pockets alone (I suspect they become filled with CO2) nor do I fit an airlock. On 3 of my IBCs the lids are sufficiently leaky that they can be screwed down tight, on the fourth, I have to relieve the pressure every now and again. Last year I fermented an IBC only about 2/3rds full, racked in February and then left until late July before pumping out with no spoilage of the cider.

My IBCs are free range and live in the open air so exposed to sun, wind, rain, snow and frost. It just makes the cider tougher!

Nick Edwards
Ciderniks – Cider from Kintbury

E-mail: ni...@ciderniks.com
Telephone: +44 (0)7885 296789
Fax: +44 (0)7715 378966
Website: www.ciderniks.com

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[TimWale]

If you fit over pressure vents as I do you will have no problems. You can
purchase them from
http://www.deltacontainers.com/index.asp?Sessionx=IaqiNwB6IHqiNwU6Jpqi The
air pockets will fill with CO2 anyway. Tim (Tutts Clump Cider)

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[Sean B]

Many thanks to the Berkshire Massive. My old man lives in Pangbourne,
and nips into the West Berks Brewery shop from time to time. I think
at least one of you stock your cider there.
We'll probably fit an airlock tonight, and not worry about the air
pockets. Or is it wise to wait until the "liveliness" settles a bit so
as not to have juice and froth getting into the airlock?
Big up the Totterdown Press.

[Martin Berkeley]

To solve the 'air pockets in the shoulders' problem I simply seal the container tightly and let the fermentation swell the tank.  The roof will expand upwards into a better domed shape and will not return to its original form when the pressure is released.  The metal bars are better left on and will be bent upwards also.

There is obviously a risk involved in the procedure and no guarantee that you won't blow a gasket somewhere but it has worked for me.

Martin

On 25/11/2010 16:39, Sean B wrote:

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Martin Berkeley
Ability Software Development Ltd
Sunny Cottage
Platterwell Lane
Pylle
Somerset
BA4 6SR

tel: 01749 830 205
mobile: 07966 00 8778

[Bob Honey]

I agree with Nick (Heard that before?)

I have worried about the air gaps in IBC's but never done anything about it except probe a bent pipe into the pocket and pushed out what we can, but it is probably CO2 anyway.  Martins domed IBC sounds an interesting idea.  I have cursed myself for letting it happen to one by accident this year, but will go out and view it in a different light in the morning.   Do they still stack Martin?

Bob Honey

Honey's Midford Cider

hon...@btinternet.com

07774 284499

[Jez Howat]

Hmmm, yes, I have found the ‘domed’ IBC works very well at reducing the air pocket too! I bought a over pressure valve cap from Delta which didn’t work at all!

 

Interesting to hear what Vigo said about the airlock – I have some jumbo airlocks on mine (they make a great noise when they bubble!!

 

All the best

 

Jez

[Dave]

I have a 500litre tank with a jumbo airlock on it.
I find it hard to believe a demijon airlock would cope with an IBC in
full swing. Maybe once it has calmed down a great deal.
The jumbo airlock only just copes on 500 litres if it is warmish.
I suppose it would be fun to try. :)

[greg l.]

"My IBCs are free range and live in the open air so exposed to sun,
wind,
rain, snow and frost. It just makes the cider tougher"

Do you really leave your IBCs exposed to the sun? I think the English
sun must be a lot gentler than the Aussie variety.

Greg

On Nov 26, 3:53 am, Nick at Ciderniks <n...@ciderniks.com> wrote:
> I've had no problems with leaving the air pockets alone (I suspect they
> become filled with CO2) nor do I fit an airlock. On 3 of my IBCs the
> lids are sufficiently leaky that they can be screwed down tight, on the
> fourth, I have to relieve the pressure every now and again. Last year I
> fermented an IBC only about 2/3rds full, racked in February and then
> left until late July before pumping out with no spoilage of the cider.
>
> My IBCs are free range and live in the open air so exposed to sun, wind,
> rain, snow and frost. It just makes the cider tougher!
>

> *Nick Edwards
> Ciderniks -- Cider from Kintbury
>
> *E-mail:**n...@ciderniks.com <mailto:n...@ciderniks.com>

> Telephone: +44 (0)7885 296789
> Fax: +44 (0)7715 378966

> Website:www.ciderniks.com<http://www.ciderniks.com/>

>
> This message, and any attachment, is confidential and intended solely
> for the person to whom it is addressed. It may contain

> privileged information.If you are not the intended recipient, you must

> not copy, distribute, discuss or take any action in
> reliance on it. If you have received this information in error, please

> notify me as soon as possible. Thank you.**

[Dick Dunn]

On Thu, Nov 25, 2010 at 03:17:42PM -0800, Dave wrote:
> I have a 500litre tank with a jumbo airlock on it.
> I find it hard to believe a demijon airlock would cope with an IBC in
> full swing. Maybe once it has calmed down a great deal.

I once saw a regular airlock on a tank of about 400-500 US gal (so
somewhere 1500-2000 liters) in a winery, used with a fruit wine. It
was enthusiastic even though fermentation was well along. When I
expressed surprise at seeing such an airlock (it really did look
ridiculous on that rather large tank, an upright cylindrical), the
winemaker said "Yeah, in the early fermentation it's more like a
continuous hiss than a bubble". But of course it's cheap, and it
can be topped up after fermentation slows down.

--
Dick Dunn rc...@talisman.com Hygiene, Colorado USA

[Sean B]

Yes, we were surprised to be told a small airlock would be sufficient,
but the nice lady at Vigo was adamant. Anyway, hole has been drilled
and airlock fitted. Time will tell.
This is now the biggest screech cube I've ever possessed, and am
wondering how on earth I'll swing it up onto my shoulder to swig.

On Nov 25, 11:17 pm, Dave <fishtailpa...@fishtailparka.plus.com>
wrote:

[Tom]

We fit the black lid with a 1/4 inch fitting with a hose flange. We fit the flange with a shutoff valve and run the tube into soda bottles filled with sulfited water. The bottles  are hung from the metal frame. After fermentation we can reverse the concept and apply a couple of pounds o f gas pressure.

Regards 

Tom

Hea...@elfsfarm.com

518-563-2750

--

[dennis...@comcast.net]

Can anyone suggest a retailer in the US who sells pH strips that discriminate at 0.1 pH intervals? All of the strips I have seen advertized only discriminate  @ 0.2 pH intervals.

 

Dennis Waller

dennis...@comcast.net

[Dick Dunn]

On Sun, Nov 28, 2010 at 03:06:36AM +0000, dennis...@comcast.net wrote:
> Can anyone suggest a retailer in the US who sells pH strips that discriminate at 0.1 pH intervals? All of the strips I have seen advertized only discriminate� @ 0.2 pH intervals.

The common steps for "narrow range" pH papers, meaning the reference colors
which go along with the indicator, are:
2.8 - 3.1 - 3.4 - 3.6 - 3.8 - 4.0 - 4.3 - 4.6
That is 0.2 in the mid-range and 0.3 at the edges.

However, note that you can generally get an idea that an indicator is
either on a color or between two. So your actual precision is closer to
0.15 at the edges and 0.1 in the middle.

I have looked around for some time and I've not seen anything with better
precision. Anyway, don't get too hung up on the fine distinctions. This
is science, but not rocket science.