Two ferm vessels tied into same blow-off hose?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by paymerick, Oct 31, 2013.

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  1. paymerick

    paymerick Initiate (0) Feb 24, 2013 Texas

    Have never brewed before, and am still probably a couple of months out, but bouncing ideas around, and would appreciate the help/opinions/warnings/"what are you thinkings!"s.

    I'm probably going to do Bock and will ferment/lager in a mini-fridge. Going to do two one gallon batches: one reg mash, other decoct for a side by side test. These may be a day or few apart in brew-days.

    I plan on modifying the mini-fridge to allow an about 1-1/2" blow-off hose to come out of the side, go up and come back over the fridge and down into the blow off liquid.

    Question: Would it be okay to tie both one gallon fermentation vessels into the same blow-off hose (2nd vessel T'd in. Obviously will 100% plug off T entry point up until hooking #2 vessel up).

    Question2: is that too many turns for the hose (clogs)?

    Question3: anything else you see wrong here?

    Appreciate it.
     
  2. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    Why not use two hoses? As for the side-by-sides, I think this is best done after you get your brew process. I surely can't stop you from trying this, but I think you have bigger fish to fry than side-by-sides on a first beer lager.
     
    OddNotion likes this.
  3. jmw

    jmw Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2009 North Carolina

    Not sure about having the blowoff go up and over that far. The pressure pushing the material out of the hose can overcome a short arc/bow from the top of the carboy, but it will not push it up several feet. You'll end up having this krausen sliding back down the tube and back into your fermentor, possibly causing a clog and negating the effect of the tube. Others may have no problem with this but I personally do not want whatever comes out to drain back in. Why not just run it out the side of the fridge and down?
     
  4. paymerick

    paymerick Initiate (0) Feb 24, 2013 Texas

    Thanks for the replies, guys.

    I figured one of the first critiques would be about brewing two lagers at around the same time in my first go, ha. I understand what you mean. Mot underestimating it and know it will be a tall task. But I'm gunna be stubborn here I guess.

    As for two seperate hoses, I considered it, but really would like to just have one hole in the mini-fridge. Though I'll properly seal around the edge of the hose, I'd still imagine a 1-1/2" hole. via tubing would lead to a higher temperature inside of the fridge. I would rather not have two holes increasing the temperature inside of the fridge more than one maybe would.

    As for the tube going up instead of down. That was just my idea for A.) conserving space, and B.) keeping it out of "oops I just kicked my liquid over and disconnected my hose" range. Just figured it'd be out of the way up atop the fridge. But it seems like you may be right here, and I may need to avoid a mishap caused by trying to pressure up aprox. -at minimum- 15".

    Keep 'em coming, and thanks again.
     
  5. rocdoc1

    rocdoc1 Maven (1,265) Jan 13, 2006 New Mexico
    Society

    Finding a catch vessel that fits into the fridge is your best bet. Try putting a 3L soda bottle between the kegs and run two smaller hoses into it. Also remember that if the pressure is greater in one fermenter than the other the blowoff may end up going to the low pressure side. Why not just use airlocks or just foil instead of blowoffs-a one gallon batch of bock isn't going to ferment wildly at lager temps.
     
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  6. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    This. Odd blowoff tube configurations can be suckback facilitators.
     
  7. paymerick

    paymerick Initiate (0) Feb 24, 2013 Texas

    Thanks rocdoc. You just got me off of the idea of tying in to one. Never considered blow-off from one running into the other. So scratch that. That was dumb.

    Also, I figured I wouldn't want the blow-off staying inside of the fridge for whatever reason. So that wouldn't be an issue, huh?

    Glad I asked, you guys have been a help.
     
  8. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Not an issue. And the cooler temp should work against your blowoff spooge from getting funky.
     
  9. paymerick

    paymerick Initiate (0) Feb 24, 2013 Texas

    Thanks, Vike.

    I have a habit of starting my ideas big on paper, then scaling back before game time. Something tells me Homebrewing is a different ball game. Something is correct.
     
  10. jmw

    jmw Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2009 North Carolina

    suckback facilitators and funky blowoff spooge.
    I'm learning things here.
     
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  11. rocdoc1

    rocdoc1 Maven (1,265) Jan 13, 2006 New Mexico
    Society

    There's nothing in that blowoff krausen that can't be scrubbed out of a mini fridge. Ask how many of us have cleaned it off cabinets, walls, ceilings and carpets.
     
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