I need help with conical fermenter

[Sebastien]

I would like to know if it's a good thing to buy a conical fermenter with temperature control I'm having hard time keeping my beer at right temp in winter it needs to be warmer and in summer I need to blow ac on it.

I've seen some models like de FTSs 7 gallons but maybe some of you have tested them so help plz



BTW I do 5 gallons batch all grain

Thanks
Sebastien

 

[IslandLizard]

A bucket as a fermentation vessel in a temperature controlled fridge is all you need.

 

[Sebastien]

How to make that temp controlled fridge ?

 

[d3track]

Poke through the fermenters in the DIY section.

FWIW, the conicals I've seen only cool, but I haven't looked deeply since the price points jump quickly

 

[IslandLizard]

+1^

Exactly, and for 5 gallon batches conicals are more hassle and expensive than they are worth. Actually you'll end up putting the conical in a temp controlled fridge. May as well use a bucket instead.

 

[Freddyj123]

I would like to know if it's a good thing to buy a conical fermenter with temperature control I'm having hard time keeping my beer at right temp in winter it needs to be warmer and in summer I need to blow ac on it.

I've seen some models like de FTSs 7 gallons but maybe some of you have tested them so help plz



BTW I do 5 gallons batch all grain

Thanks
Sebastien

Best investment ever! Small footprint, dead-on temp control, easy to clean, dump trub, harvest yeast. I went with ss brew tech 7-gallon chronically for my 5-gallon batches. Love it.

 

[Freddyj123]

+1^

Exactly, and for 5 gallon batches conicals are more hassle and expensive than they are worth. Actually you'll end up putting the conical in a temp controlled fridge. May as well use a bucket instead.

I find the opposite to be true, 5 gallon batches in the conical with temp control are much easier than messing with buckets, building a ferm chamber and controller.

It is more expensive but far less 'hassle.' The ss brewtech that the op refers to with 'ftss' is a temp controller, not sure why you'd advise him to put that into a temp controlled fridge (or any other brand with temp controller for that matter) Doesn't make any sense, unless I'm missing something.

Have you actually used a conical with temp controller? If yes, which brand and model? Curious because I've never seen a user shoot one down before, wondering which model.

 

[Freddyj123]

Poke through the fermenters in the DIY section.

FWIW, the conicals I've seen only cool, but I haven't looked deeply since the price points jump quickly

Ss brewtech (and others) will cool or heat

 

[d3track]

Slick, I don't remember them having the heater back when I looked at them (but still well out of my budget)

 

[Sebastien]

I've seen some nice fermenting chambers DIY too but I'm not sure what's best. Put my ale pail or carb in a home made fermenting chamber or just buy a ss brewtech well I juste want to know what works best

 

[Sebastien]

I've seen some nice fermenting chambers DIY too but I'm not sure what's best. Put my ale pail or carb in a home made fermenting chamber or just buy a ss brewtech well I juste want to know what works best

 

[steveoatley]

Best investment ever! Small footprint, dead-on temp control, easy to clean, dump trub, harvest yeast. I went with ss brew tech 7-gallon chronically for my 5-gallon batches. Love it.

Freddyj

If you don't mind me asking..... ( you don't have to reply )

What was your total cost on the conical & temp control?
And the "cooler" filled with ice water or ?

Thanks
S

 

[Freddyj123]

Freddyj

If you don't mind me asking..... ( you don't have to reply )

What was your total cost on the conical & temp control?

Thanks
S

No prob Steve, you can find right on their website. I want to say $680 with all of the extra barbs, hoses, blow-off valve, etc. not cheap but about 1/2 the price of other brands.

I was in the position to either pull the trigger on this or buy and modify a freezer, buy a temp control unit and I did not want the hassel or to take up that much space. Works like a charm and is just plain cool, haha.

 

[Freddyj123]

I've seen some nice fermenting chambers DIY too but I'm not sure what's best. Put my ale pail or carb in a home made fermenting chamber or just buy a ss brewtech well I juste want to know what works best

My opinion, "what works best" is unique to each individual's wants, needs and bank account. Any of these methods are capable of producing great brew.

 

[steveoatley]

No prob Steve, you can find right on their website. I want to say $680 with all of the extra barbs, hoses, blow-off valve, etc. not cheap but about 1/2 the price of other brands.

I was in the position to either pull the trigger on this or buy and modify a freezer, buy a temp control unit and I did not want the hassel or to take up that much space. Works like a charm and is just plain cool, haha.

Thanks Freddy

I am in the same spot, mod a freezer or drop $$ on a conical like the OP

Steve

 

[Sebastien]

One thing that is nice with a modified fridge is being able to put 2 fermenter and all my conditioning bottle and I can't do that with my conical obviously

 

[ram5ey]

I prefer to have the temp controlled fridge for my fermentations. I use a conical and a speidel 30L and before that better bottles. I like that I can use different fermentors in the same space (not at the same time, but I'm sure you could) and I can rotate through if I need ( week of temp controlled fermentation for one then pull it our to room temp and a then throw another brew in).

That is what works well for me. As Freddyj123 said it is about what you want for your specific situation.

 

[Freddyj123]

I prefer to have the temp controlled fridge for my fermentations. I use a conical and a speidel 30L and before that better bottles. I like that I can use different fermentors in the same space (not at the same time, but I'm sure you could) and I can rotate through if I need ( week of temp controlled fermentation for one then pull it our to room temp and a then throw another brew in).

That is what works well for me. As Freddyj123 said it is about what you want for your specific situation.

One thing that is nice with a modified fridge is being able to put 2 fermenter and all my conditioning bottle and I can't do that with my conical obviously

Agreed on all points, my nephew in N.C. Has a large area to work with and built a bomb chamber for relatively short $ and can fit several buckets/car boys. My basement is small due to 2 car garage and space is at a premium, which is where this set up really shines for my situation.

 

[permo]

I brew 15 gallon batches in a conical in my garage. In the summer my garage hits 80 degrees regularly. All I do is wrap my conical with wet towels and put a fan on it. I can keep my fermenting beer between 70-75 all summer long. I find the key is to pitch yeast into wort chilled around 60-65 and wrap with wet towels. Works great.

 

[Freddyj123]

Slick, I don't remember them having the heater back when I looked at them (but still well out of my budget)

Yes, the ftss cycles hot or cold water through the coil, people use an aquarium heater to heat the water or ice to cool relative to the situation.

 

[IslandLizard]

I find the opposite to be true, 5 gallon batches in the conical with temp control are much easier than messing with buckets, building a ferm chamber and controller.

It is more expensive but far less 'hassle.' The ss brewtech that the op refers to with 'ftss' is a temp controller, not sure why you'd advise him to put that into a temp controlled fridge (or any other brand with temp controller for that matter) Doesn't make any sense, unless I'm missing something.

Have you actually used a conical with temp controller? If yes, which brand and model? Curious because I've never seen a user shoot one down before, wondering which model.

I'm familiar with the design of the FTSs, and am not shooting anything or anyone down for wanting a temp controlled "conical." I just feel for 5 gallon batches buckets in a temp controlled fridge or freezer are a cheap easy alternative that makes the same excellent beer, given other aspects of the process are under control to produce such.

For larger volumes, say 10-15 gallons and over, a more dedicated fermentor can be a better approach.

I have a small, 7 gallon Blichmann conical, which does not have an integrated temp control. Although it works fine, it's much easier to clean and fill a bucket instead.

I agree, the BrewTech looks nice and is very capable without the hassle of a water filled tub or having a spare fridge around, which can be an issue for apartment and other tight quarters dwellers.

I'd say before the OP drops $500+ on a fermentor, he should maybe brew a bit (more) and see if he likes it and take it from there.

 

[Owly055]

Brewtech's fermentation temp controller is really just as stainless steel immersion chiller, a pump, and a thermostat. You have to supply the hot or cold water for temp control. It would not be difficult to retrofit into the lid of an ordinary plastic brew bucket.

 

[IslandLizard]

Brewtech's fermentation temp controller is really just as stainless steel immersion chiller, a pump, and a thermostat. You have to supply the hot or cold water for temp control. It would not be difficult to retrofit into the lid of an ordinary plastic brew bucket.

Excellent point, you still need to have a cooler with tubes around.

When I first saw the FTSs I was thinking along similar lines, what a nifty idea, this must be adaptable to other systems!

Retrofitting to a plastic bucket should be easy. But putting a $250 FTSs or an $80-100 SS coil (Stainless Brewing/homemade) into a $12 plastic bucket may overshoot the aim a bit. The bucket needs an insulation jacket too.

 

[Sebastien]

Looks complicated to buy a FTSs + cooling heating package at 660$ and a cooler with tubes need to change water etc.

Better get that old fridge or chest freezer and buy a stc-1000 to control it

 

[normonster]

I've seen some nice fermenting chambers DIY too but I'm not sure what's best. Put my ale pail or carb in a home made fermenting chamber or just buy a ss brewtech well I juste want to know what works best

The most expensive equipment will generally work best, IMO. If you have the money then yes, get a heated/cooled conical but you might as well upgrade to 10gal batches to fill it up.

I use two SS Brewbuckets in a fridge with a dual controller - you plug the fridge into the cooling circuit and a reptile cage heater/plant heater/lightbulb in metal can into the heating circuit.

Works great.

 

[Freddyj123]

I'm familiar with the design of the FTSs, and am not shooting anything or anyone down for wanting a temp controlled "conical." I just feel for 5 gallon batches buckets in a temp controlled fridge or freezer are a cheap easy alternative that makes the same excellent beer, given other aspects of the process are under control to produce such.

For larger volumes, say 10-15 gallons and over, a more dedicated fermentor can be a better approach.

I have a small, 7 gallon Blichmann conical, which does not have an integrated temp control. Although it works fine, it's much easier to clean and fill a bucket instead.

I agree, the BrewTech looks nice and is very capable without the hassle of a water filled tub or having a spare fridge around, which can be an issue for apartment and other tight quarters dwellers.

I'd say before the OP drops $500+ on a fermentor, he should maybe brew a bit (more) and see if he likes it and take it from there.

All good points and didn't think your post was negative, again I'd have gone the chamber route if it wasn't space prohibitive but I do find the conical easier in terms of transfer and cleanup than that of carboys and the temp control set up and use is a breeze.

Pretty much comes down to available space and funds, I tasted great home brews from each method.