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Cider Digest #1553
Subject: Cider Digest #1553, 5 March 2010
From: cider-request@talisman.com
Cider Digest #1553 5 March 2010
Cider and Perry Discussion Forum
Contents:
Re: Cider Digest #1552, 24 February 2010 (Dick Dunn)
Looking for opportunity (Alan Yelvington)
Hereford International Cider Competition 2010 (Andrew Lea)
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Digest Janitor: Dick Dunn
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Subject: Re: Cider Digest #1552, 24 February 2010
From: Dick Dunn <rcd@talisman.com>
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:56:04 -0700
Peter Mitchell (lotic@juno.com) wrote:
...
> Stainless steel (or glass lined tanks) are still the best option.
> However, as you note, they are hideously expensive. Also, even SS will be
> [a]ffected (eventually) by cider...
You shouldn't expect a smooth surface of SS in contact with cider to be
affected. The difficult areas are at the edge of the surface of the
liquid, or at a boundary with another material. Or a poorly-done weld not
ground smooth could be a weak link.
>...Most dairy tanks (milk is not anywhere
> near as acidic a cider) are 304 SS. I have heard that a 304 SS tank
> should last you (with constant use as a cider fermenter) about 20-25
> years...
I'd give it a lifetime; you could take 25 years as a way of saying "an
awfully long time."
>...The "Cadillac" of SS is 316 SS. This is also known as
> "surgical-grade" steel. If you out live a tank of 316, then you are
> probably too young to read this e-mail, and if you can afford a new 316
> tank, then congratulations on winning the lottery.
Yes, 316 is more resistant to attack. But there's no inherent reason that
316 should be hugely more expensive. If you look at stock, like tubing or
sheet, 316 will run from 25% to 50% more for the raw material, and as I
understand it's not that much more difficult to work. Probably the big
difference you're seeing is that 316 is far less common for some uses,
so there's no "economy of scale"; the 316 tanks are more likely to be
custom work.
> If you can't afford new SS, then there are some sources for used SS
> tanks, you MUST ask a lot of questions about their previous use, and give
> them a visual inspection. Only consider used tanks that were used in the
> food industry!!!
Well said! 316 in particular being resistant to so many chemical
challenges, it's used for various "oh, lordy...don't ask!" tasks.
> "Plastic tanks"? I dunno. While tolerant of low-pH, most plastics
> transmit oxygen. There are some high-density plastics that are air tight
> (nothing like SS or glass - but good enough for a few months)...
HDPE, and thick, will work well for fermentation and storage for a while.
Fairly common in the UK from what I can see, and comparable barrels are
available in the US.
>...But, I
> hear (perhaps unfounded) concerns about BPA in plastics. Also, I have not
> seen any larger than 5-6 (US) gallons.
No info on BPA. Anybody with enough chemical background to say?
But you shouldn't have trouble finding larger HDPE barrels. I'm using
14 and 30 US gallon barrels.
> All-in-all, I'd bite the bullet and get some stainless. The tanks don't
> depreciate much over time. So, when you upgrade to larger tanks, you can
> get a pretty good price for your used tank.
Just let's don't discourage people who can't afford SS. HDPE is a good
start as long as you get the cider into glass (or drink it:) before too
long.
At the 5-gal-and-multiple range, why not just use glass carboys?
- --
Dick Dunn rcd@talisman.com Hygiene, Colorado USA
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Subject: Looking for opportunity
From: Alan Yelvington <alany@semparpac.org>
Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:17:20 -0500
Hello cider friends,
I'm a recently retired Coast Guard officer somewhat aground in NW
Pennsylvania. I'm starting a small (100 tree) cider orchard as a
distraction, but I'm interested in working for a commercial orchard and
learning the craft and earning a supplemental income.
I'm good with machines and infrastructure (power, plumbing, and
technology), and I've completed the Mitchell cider class at Cornell.
I've done grafting and pruning with reasonable success.
If you're looking for a willing and talented helper, and you're
relatively close (1 hour drive) to Russell, PA, please drop me a line so
we can talk.
Many thanks for your consideration,
Al Yelvington
alany@semparpac.org
------------------------------
Subject: Hereford International Cider Competition 2010
From: Andrew Lea <andrew@HarpHill.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:58:18 +0000
The entry form for the UK's Cider Museum competition in May (which is
open to international entrants) has just been published.
You will find a copy here
http://groups.google.com/group/cider-workshop/files?hl=en
Andrew Lea
nr Oxford, UK
www.cider.org.uk
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End of Cider Digest #1553
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