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Oval polymer beverage barrel

Oval beverage container · Speidel 60-litre oval container

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An oval, broad-shouldered polyethylene vessel sold by Speidel as a beverage barrel. Its 60-litre example has a large closure, molded side grips and a lower outlet cap; it is distinct from an open homebrew pail and a coopered wooden cask.

Reference-grounded photorealistic illustration of an unbranded oval off-white polymer beverage barrel with orange screw lid, molded side grip and lower protective outlet cap.

A barrel in name, an oval container in form

Speidel sells this vessel as an oval cider or beverage barrel. The photographed form has a broad, softly rounded body, a large top filling dome, molded side grips and a lower outlet closure. It is made from polyethylene rather than assembled from wooden staves and hoops, so it is not a coopered cask. Its broad access opening and carrying grips distinguish this manufactured container from a homebrew bucket with a bail handle.

The manufacturer's page describes its round and oval beverage containers as coloured-free, food-grade PE and says the walls are unusually thick for the line. That is a maker's specification and product claim, not a statement about other polymer vessels or their performance. The large dome allows access by hand for cleaning, according to the product description.

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One measured 60-litre model

The specific 60-litre model measures 51 cm long, 35 cm wide and 52 cm high, and the listed empty weight is 4 kg. Its two horizontal footprint dimensions describe an oval, so they should not be converted into a guessed diameter. Speidel says the handles can each support up to 30 kg. These figures belong to product 21001; they are not standard dimensions for every beverage barrel.

Speidel's page identifies the model as made in Germany and says the company has made cider barrels since 1912. The date is the company's account of its cider-barrel business; it does not establish when this exact oval PE shape or model was introduced. The page therefore gives a current example and a maker's history claim, not a complete history of polymer fermentation vessels.

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Closure, accessories and use

The large top closure gives access for filling and hand cleaning. The product image shows an orange cap at the lower outlet, but a fitted tap and fermentation airlock are separate accessories rather than guaranteed parts of the pictured package. Speidel's brochure lists airlock-and-plug sets, outlet valves and lids, with accessories differing for round or oval containers and by capacity. Check the exact model and parts supplied before planning a transfer or fermentation setup.

Speidel presents the vessel in its cider-making range and describes it as a container for must. The page describes keeping aroma and bouquet over months as the purpose of its closure and material, but gives no pressure rating or universal cleaning regime. It should not be treated as a pressure fermenter or as interchangeable with every bucket, wooden barrel or stainless tank without model-specific evidence.

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History

Speidel's product page says the company has made cider barrels since 1912, but does not date this 60-litre oval model or establish when the oval PE form began.

Equipment details

Capacity60 L 60 litres for the cited product model; not a type-wide capacity.
Size52 cm tall The cited 60-litre oval model measures 51 cm long × 35 cm wide × 52 cm high; oval dimensions are not a diameter.
PowerNo power The vessel is passive equipment; no powered component is described.
How you get oneBought, manufactured The 60-litre model is currently sold through the manufacturer's cider-container shop.
CareSpeidel says the large filling dome permits hand-cleaning into the container's far corners. The product page does not specify a detergent, temperature or sanitizer; follow the instructions for the particular vessel and cleaning product.

Made of

  • Polyethylene (PE) — Vessel body
    Speidel specifies uncoloured, food-grade PE for its round and oval cider containers. This specification applies to the maker's products, not every plastic beverage vessel.

Limits

The 60-litre capacity, dimensions, PE specification and handle rating describe this Speidel model, not all oval beverage containers.

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The maker lists an airlock and plug, outlet valve and lid as accessories; the product photograph's closure does not mean those fermentation fittings are included.

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Places

Germany

Manufacture · Country evidence

Speidel identifies this product as made in Germany; this is the model's documented manufacture, not the origin of polymer beverage vessels generally.

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