gp125racer
Well-Known Member
All,
So as ususal, when I get into a new hobby I go all out
Ive done 4 batches of beer in just about as many weekends.
One of the things that Im thinking about is a conical fermenter as I have a little bit of space in the garage, and I want to start doing full boil 10 gallon batches.
Ive been reading a bunch about the pros/cons of the plastic vs stainless debate. Ive pretty much decided that if I do purchase one, Ill save up and get an all stainless setup.
So far advantages of using a conical fermenter:
* Ability to get most of beer in fermenter
* Ability to remove trub (allowing for a secondary fermentation in the same container)
* Ability to harvest yeast
Disadvantages (vs Glass carboy):
* Cost
* Not able to see the beer
If Im considering doing batches at this rate, Id like to be able to harvest the yeast. This has a few benefits I can see which include cost, and more "active yeast" for pitching.
One of the things that Im not 100% clear on is the actual process for removing trub and harvesting the yeast. From what Ive read, people have drasticly different time tables for removing the trub etc. Ive seen some people comment they dump sediment 5hrs after pitching to make sure the "outlet valve" doesnt get clogged. Some others seem to use hop stoppers to limit the amount of trub that enters your fermenter, and dont pull anything from the conical for up to 10 days.
Anyone have any real world experience with one, and what works best for you? Do you feel the investment was worth the returns?
-=gp125racer=-
So as ususal, when I get into a new hobby I go all out
Ive done 4 batches of beer in just about as many weekends.
One of the things that Im thinking about is a conical fermenter as I have a little bit of space in the garage, and I want to start doing full boil 10 gallon batches.
Ive been reading a bunch about the pros/cons of the plastic vs stainless debate. Ive pretty much decided that if I do purchase one, Ill save up and get an all stainless setup.
So far advantages of using a conical fermenter:
* Ability to get most of beer in fermenter
* Ability to remove trub (allowing for a secondary fermentation in the same container)
* Ability to harvest yeast
Disadvantages (vs Glass carboy):
* Cost
* Not able to see the beer
If Im considering doing batches at this rate, Id like to be able to harvest the yeast. This has a few benefits I can see which include cost, and more "active yeast" for pitching.
One of the things that Im not 100% clear on is the actual process for removing trub and harvesting the yeast. From what Ive read, people have drasticly different time tables for removing the trub etc. Ive seen some people comment they dump sediment 5hrs after pitching to make sure the "outlet valve" doesnt get clogged. Some others seem to use hop stoppers to limit the amount of trub that enters your fermenter, and dont pull anything from the conical for up to 10 days.
Anyone have any real world experience with one, and what works best for you? Do you feel the investment was worth the returns?
-=gp125racer=-