A Nice Dispenser For Continuous Brewing

[Guest guest]

Hello and Seasons Greetings, everyone!

I've been doing some legwork for the past week in trying to find a suitable

crock for my KT as I plan to do continuous brewing. I found a range of them,

mostly very expensive ones.

Tenacity is one of my better traits, so I kept searching and narrowed the

choices down to 2, between $30 & $45, both having spigots. Well long story

short, my DH offered to buy the cheaper one. So we set out to Wal-Mart, only to

discover there was no stock. While I was trying to find a salesperson for

assistance, DH located a similar product that I was quick to checkout

with....and this one only being $19 really sweetened the deal, especially

because of the bigger capacity! (see URL below)

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Del-Sol-1.5-Gal-Beverage-Dispenser/17370883

Note: the spigot looks like metal, but it is really a chromed-look plastic.

Also, I used a one gal cookie jar (and numerous pickle jars) prior to purchasing

my new dispenser yesterday. I found using electric candle warmers kept the KT a

nice warm temp.

[Guest guest]

i was looking for a while for a larger container, roughly 5 gallons, so i

could tap at least 2 gallons at a time (about 5 liters). i found a 5

gallon glass jar, with a plastic removable spigot, on

http://www.infused-vodka.com/. it runs about $120, but there didn't seem

to be anything else out there that was glass and had a spigot at that size.

[Guest guest]

That is rather pricey! But I can see the significance in the convenience if $$

is no object. I foresee myself drinking about 32 oz a day so I will need to keep

a few of my brewing jars going until I can afford another dispenser. Meanwhile,

I'm going to scour a few thrift stores to see if I can't pick up a sun tea jar.

>

> i was looking for a while for a larger container, roughly 5 gallons, so i

> could tap at least 2 gallons at a time (about 5 liters). i found a 5

> gallon glass jar, with a plastic removable spigot, on

> http://www.infused-vodka.com/. it runs about $120, but there didn't seem

> to be anything else out there that was glass and had a spigot at that size.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Since there is more than one 5 gal jug on this site, I just want to remind you

of my thot after looking thru these--that if you don't have a good sized top,

you might have trouble getting your scoby out once it gets thick.

>

> i was looking for a while for a larger container, roughly 5 gallons, so i

> could tap at least 2 gallons at a time (about 5 liters). i found a 5

> gallon glass jar, with a plastic removable spigot, on

> http://www.infused-vodka.com/. it runs about $120, but there didn't seem

> to be anything else out there that was glass and had a spigot at that size.

>

>

[Guest guest]

> >

> > As my spouse will attest. I have a few of these types of dispensers.

> > The problem is always the narrow valve of the spigot that gets plugged with

> > organic matter. I have found it much easier to have a big jar for brewing

> > and a spigotted jar for holding and dispensing. I can put it in the frig or

> > on the counter depending on taste. Easier than bottles if I am not double

> > fermenting.

> >

> > The best spigots are from my local coop that has replacements for the

> > ceramic bases used for 5 gallon water jugs. The can be cleaned, dismantled,

> > and switched out as needed.

> >

> > Dan

> >

>

Dan,

I have never had any problems with my spigots getting clogged.

When my tea is done I run the tea off in to recycled beer bottles. To do this I

use wine tip. You push in to the end of the spigot and place the long part in

the bottle that way you don't get foam. One thing I would recommend it you

decide to go with the beer bottles get the old style wire held caps. They cost a

little more but they are very reusable. And the only thing you will have to

replace is the little rubber gasket and they are cheap. I have never had blow

off. And the neat thing is you get some really bubbly tea. We are talking

champagne style. Some of best brews saved the tea for up to two years and it is

amazing. My wife and I sip it out of champagne flutes.

I hope that helps. Cheers

[Guest guest]

I often wonder how to start a scooby and where in the heck I can get it.  I look

at everyone else success with their product and just wonder how I can get

started making my own. If anyone can assist me in Mississippi on where to find a

starter scooby and make my own from there on I would greatly appreciate it.

 

Barbara Gainwell

[Guest guest]

I'm certainly of the opinion that glass is more readily disinfected too, vs

plastic. But I'm curious about your 5-gal container. How do you dispense from

it, assuming it has no spigot? I saw a 6-gal carboy on Craigslist the other day

for $30, but I just couldn't visualize how I could make it work for KT.

>

> i agree with james on the bottle. ez cap bottles are great. you can 2nd

> ferment, no explosions and fizzy brew after 6or7 days. i purchase mine at

> a beer and wine brewing store. as far as the big continuous brew

> container, Bev put it great. she said, " I will stay with glass even though

> it is more trouble and more expensive initially. After all, you are going

> to make many batches of KT using the same fermentation container over and

> over again for years so when you consider that, it really doesn't cost so

> much after all. " plus, with such a large container you can tap at least

> 2gallons of KT every 6ish days with only one container. also, if you think

> of the money people spend on KT at the store, you'd be saving money in no

> time.

>

> as far as the opening on the 5 gallon jar i use, it is big enough on the

> one i bought. the scobies do fold so it hasn't become a problem so far and

> i don't see that it will. that was certainly a concern before purchasing,

> but i emailed the company for the dimensions and it seemed do-able.

>

> for the newbies:

> i brew in a 5 gallon jar, when the KT is ready i dispense about 2 gallons

> into my bottles. then i brew a 2 - 2 1/2 gallon batch of sweet tea. when

> cooled i add it to my scoby and the 2ish gallons of starter tea. and

> that's it, it's ready again in about 6-7 days. i also keep the temp at

> around 78 degrees or a little warmer.

>

>

>