Morebeers heated/cooled conicle fermentor

MoreBeer is having a 15% off sale in another week or so, and I am seriously considering buying one of their 15 gallon heated/cooled conical fermentors. They list for $1900, but I could get it for around $1600.

I currently brew once a month or so on a blichman top tier, usually 5-10 gallon batches, and ferment in speidel fermentors in my bathroom. No fermentation chamber.

I'd like to not have to build a ferm chamber, and I like the ability to keep all my brewing activities in the garage so I'm not lugging carboys upstairs. I could do this with the conical, as well as do siphon free transfers, dump out the trub, easier samples pulled and yeast harvesting at some point. They seem to have gotten really good reviews, and sounds like it would fit my needs well. Just wanted to bounce this off the forum to see if anyone had any input on this decision. One concern is the cleaning issue of the conical..... Not sure how much of a pain it is to clean, but I hate that part of the brew process! My spiedel fermentors are very easy to clean, but temp control can be tricky

I've got one (14gal) and I love it - 2010 Christmas present. It's actually very easy to clean. You'd need to stick with 10 gal batches, the cooling element is mid way up the barrel part and I also don't think the thermowell would reach in 5 gallons, definitely not with the blowoff attached. Gotta love the winter sale

chickypad said:

I've got one (14gal) and I love it - 2010 Christmas present. It's actually very easy to clean. You'd need to stick with 10 gal batches, the cooling element is mid way up the barrel part and I also don't think the thermowell would reach in 5 gallons, definitely not with the blowoff attached. Gotta love the winter sale

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Thanks for the feedback!

Wow, that is a big drawback... not being able to still do 5 gallon batches. I like to make 5 gallons of really big beers ( since my tun is not large enough to do 10 gal batches of big beers) and to also do smaller versions of a new beer...

Wonder if there is any way to make it work for some 5 gallon batches? This could really affect my decision... Thanks for the heads up

I would call their customer service and talk to the guys - they are very helpful. Or if you're near the big showroom go in and talk to them, they may have one on display. I don't see it working well though. Works fine for me because my main tun/set up is a little big for 5 gallon batches anyway. I do 3 gallon stovetop batches for things I want smaller quantities of.

Not trying to discourage you from the conical, but for as infrequently as you brew, I would think a fridge or freezer with dual temperature control would suffice and still allow for 5 gallon batches.

If you're handy, this might be a better otion and much, much cheaper:

http://conical-fermenter.com/wp-content/uploads/TemperatureControlledBuildSetup-download.pdf

arborman said:

MoreBeer is having a 15% off sale in another week or so, and I am seriously considering buying one of their 15 gallon heated/cooled conical fermentors.

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Sorry for posting off-topic, but where can I find out more about the MoreBeer 15% off sale? Date? Coupon code?

shawnbou said:

Sorry for posting off-topic, but where can I find out more about the MoreBeer 15% off sale? Date? Coupon code?

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Its on November 16th. However its a showroom sale so you have to show up and buy from their stores on that day. As you can imagine its packed out so get there early if you want kegs as they seem to go fast. Luckily I'm only 7 miles away, a great store and really helpful people at least in the Riverside store, haven't been to any others as yet.

DavidJP said:

Its on November 16th. However its a showroom sale so you have to show up and buy from their stores on that day. As you can imagine its packed out so get there early if you want kegs as they seem to go fast. Luckily I'm only 7 miles away, a great store and really helpful people at least in the Riverside store, haven't been to any others as yet.

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Well dang it. The wife may have some issues with me driving there from Texas that weekend to save $20.

Hey arborman,

The reason the 14 Gallon H/C Conical won't work for a 5 gallon batch is because the cooling elements are positioned right around where 8-9 gallons would be. If it doesn't come in contact with your wort then it will still cool the cone down a little, but not nearly enough to perform how we advertise. You'll also burn the cooling element(s) out very fast if you do this. Just an FYI. Hope we still see you at the sale!

Cheers,
Matt

arborman said:

Thanks for the feedback!

Wow, that is a big drawback... not being able to still do 5 gallon batches. I like to make 5 gallons of really big beers ( since my tun is not large enough to do 10 gal batches of big beers) and to also do smaller versions of a new beer...

Wonder if there is any way to make it work for some 5 gallon batches? This could really affect my decision... Thanks for the heads up

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i recently picked up a 27 gallon heated and cooled and am in th process of creating an additional cooling unit to place on the cone to do 10 gallon batches instead of always having to do 20. I have a person to machine out the aluminum for fairly cheap and from there it is just attaching a peltier cooler with a thermal apoxy.... where theres a will theres a way!

Well, I pulled the trigger on the conical, picked it up yesterday. Could not make it to the sale this Saturday, so had to forgo the 15% discount. Super stoked, and can't wait to use it. Got it all set up in the garage!

arborman said:

Well, I pulled the trigger on the conical, picked it up yesterday. Could not make it to the sale this Saturday, so had to forgo the 15% discount. Super stoked, and can't wait to use it. Got it all set up in the garage!

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Nice, I have 20 gallons going in mine right now

kosmokramer said:

Nice, I have 20 gallons going in mine right now

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Nice! I'll have some questions for you all In a few days for sure. I see your insulation is off. Any reason for that?

I bought it used and the insulation was all torn up... I ordered new from morebeer and they sent the wrong on... I'll be putting it on tomarrow when I pick it up from work... I just got in yeast havester from brewers hardware today

arborman said:

Well, I pulled the trigger on the conical, picked it up yesterday. Could not make it to the sale this Saturday, so had to forgo the 15% discount. Super stoked, and can't wait to use it. Got it all set up in the garage!

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I'll be anxious to hear some feedback. I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on one as well! I do both 5 and 10 gallon batches, but with only a $100 difference it almost doesn't make sense to get the smaller one!

Cheers!