A second question before I start

Baz_

Well following on from this thread I have decided not to go with a pressure barrel. For now anyway.

However, from reading a few threads it would seem that there are some advantages to having a second barrel available during the bottling process for priming the batch for secondary fermentation.

My question is this: Is a second barrel more trouble than it's worth or worth the amount of hassle it is?

It would seem to me that the main advantages are 1. less sediment makes it into the bottles and 2. because you can prime your batch there is less hassle involved in having to add carbonation drops or sugar to each bottle individually.

What I would like to know before I make any decision or purchase is are there any drawbacks to a second barrel? And I suppose are there any additional benefits I've missed out on?

Grassyarse

Baz_

Khannie

Second fermentation barrel is a winner IMO. Batch priming and loss of sediment really takes the hassle out of it (and batch priming is a lot cheaper than the carbonation drops). Having a secondary to move to allows you to leave a ferment to mature if you fancy that too. Also opens up the option of brewing wine (which absolutely requires more than a primary).

The only drawback that I can see is that you have two vessels to clean afterwards and the initial outlay.

sharingan

Baz_ wrote: »

What I would like to know before I make any decision or purchase is are there any drawbacks to a second barrel? And I suppose are there any additional benefits I've missed out on?

The obvious benefit is that when the second fermenter is not in use batch priming or racking, you can brew more beer in it.

The obvious disadvantage is that your missus can get peeved when you fill up Her house with brewing kit.

Speaking from experience, and while your birthday is still fresh, go for the second fermenter, same design as the first, before she realises you have turned the utility room into a sibeen.

BeerNut

You'll be buying a second fermenter anyway. May as well get it now.

Yawns

Yeah just do it already before she notices.

I started out like you OP last September. 1 Fermenter and a cooper's kit.
Since then I've got a few fermenters and bits & bobs.

Just putting the last few touches to finishing the home bar I am putting together myself.

Only have the 1 cornie atm but am in the bulk buy for 2 more. It's just a wonderful hobby. I'm still like a child about it 10 months on. I grabbed a load more gear and stuff from Tesco in Naas when they had the sale on. Grabbed 4 of the beer kits so I could have the extra fermenters and equip. Very good value for it @ €9.21.

Degsy

Yawns wrote: »

Just putting the last few touches to finishing the home bar I am putting together myself.

.

Cool...what exactly are ya doing and have you got a few pics?

Yawns

I just wanted something simple so I got a nice heavy duty shelving unit, assembled it as a bench unit instead of a tower shelf unit. Some nice brackets to add a bit of height and a nice worktop to go on top of the brackets. I put a reed screen around the front and sides, tied on and trimmed to match just below the brackets. Nuts and bolts for holding the units together as well. Rubber on the feet so it can easily be pushed or pulled to a position on the wooden floor without damaging it.

I will get another screen as one isn't enough and you can see right through it, so a second one will cut most of that out. I also have a beer cooler and a mini fridge for some small bottles. I have a clamp on beer tap and I have a swan neck tower tap but I would need to drill a hole into the worktop to put it in place. I may or may not do this. I have the clamp tap on for now anyway. I am waiting on 1 small barb to come via post and I can hook it all up.

I will take a pic and throw it up in a bit. It's not finished but it's only 2 little things.

I managed to get away with this because I agreed to buying the oh a glass cabinet for her glasses. I even managed to convince her that we don't really need the kitchen table so I have disassembled it and have it stored away. It's just me, her, the kid and a baby on the way. The baby will be in a high seat and the 3 of us can sit at the bar and eat. She agreed so I guess I need to get those bar stools now

I got her this cabinet to make up for it. In the brighter colour tho

http://www.ikea.com/ie/en/catalog/products/40187557/

I managed to get my hands on it from Ikea for €65

Baz_

Follow up question...

I have since opened up my kit and found that there is no hole, bung, airlock in the lid of the fermenting bin. Is this going to cause a problem and would I be better off buying a second bin with the airlock etc before starting to brew and do primary fermentation in it?

The bin that came with the kit is transparent though and I don't know if that makes a difference. It also comes with a tap and I don't know if that doubles as the airlock (I don't think it does)

Khannie

Baz_ wrote: »

Is this going to cause a problem

No, just leave the lid slightly ajar to let the gas from the fermentation escape. I have only used the airlock on wine brews and only then to help give me some kind of indication that the ferment was finished.

Baz_

Yawns wrote: »

I even managed to convince her that we don't really need the kitchen table so I have disassembled it and have it stored away. It's just me, her, the kid and a baby on the way. The baby will be in a high seat and the 3 of us can sit at the bar and eat. She agreed so I guess I need to get those bar stools now

Brilliant, just brilliant, you must be a Jedi or something!

I'm at exactly the same point in life, family wise, and you've inspired me to try my luck. I'm going to see if I can get away without getting her a glass cabinet though...

Yawns

No no no, sweeten the deal!!

It will only end in tears if you don't!

Yawns

Also the glass cabinet will look well behind the bar. I can store my beer glasses down the bottom. Plus I have some pretty basic galvanized steel shelves that will look nice going along the wall behind the bar and with reed screen going around the back and sides, will match the bar itself.

Always think 2 steps ahead man :P

covey09

Baz, just stick the lid on dont leave it ajar IMO the CO2 will just escape between the lid and rim. its the new type of coopers fermenter they dont have airlock like old ones and give you a great veiw of whats going on inside forget about the dark Knight you will be watching every second when it kicks of in there,mesmerising stuff

Yawns

A number of people don't use air locks at all. I believe The Beer Nut is against the use of them and I can see why. It's more things to cleans and sanitise and just another way for germs to get in and grow if not cleaned properly. That said if you are very good at cleaning and sanitizing then it's quite nice to have especially for the first few times. Just for the thrill at seeing the bubbles flying along in the first few days of brewing.

After the first few you won't care as much tbh. While they are great indicators that your brew is fermenting nicely they tell you nothing afterwards because even when it stops bubbling it does not mean it has finished fermenting.

Yawns

as promised altho a bit late

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=80026292&postcount=52