Janx
Well-Known Member
So as far as I know, there are two stainless conical fermenters available to us homebrewers beyond the DIY route. There's the B3 Varieties and the Fermenator. Correct me if I'm wrong.
The key differences as I see them:
B3 is welded, Fermenator isn't.
B3 has better valves as an option.
Fermenator lid is arguably better and it can hold pressure.
I think I like the leg framework on B3 better.
One other factor for me is size. I tend to make 12ish gallon batches, so the Fermenator 14+ gallon size is appealing over the 12.2 B3 model. But it occurs to me that these guys all get their materials in the same places. So, a big question I have is, are these two models (B3 12.2 and F 14.5) the same cone?
Also, are Fermenator's legs bolted on with bolts through the cone? Does that work OK if so?
I would really like to go with B3 because I like their quality, service, larger better valves and I would prefer welded over weldless. But if it's really 2 gallons smaller, I may go Fermenator, which I understand is also very nice.
I'd love to hear from anyone with experience, especially if you've seen both and ESPECIALLY if you can tell me if they're the same cone. Fire away with thoughts, experiences, preferences, corrections and additions on any of the differences above. Thanks!
Cheers
The key differences as I see them:
B3 is welded, Fermenator isn't.
B3 has better valves as an option.
Fermenator lid is arguably better and it can hold pressure.
I think I like the leg framework on B3 better.
One other factor for me is size. I tend to make 12ish gallon batches, so the Fermenator 14+ gallon size is appealing over the 12.2 B3 model. But it occurs to me that these guys all get their materials in the same places. So, a big question I have is, are these two models (B3 12.2 and F 14.5) the same cone?
Also, are Fermenator's legs bolted on with bolts through the cone? Does that work OK if so?
I would really like to go with B3 because I like their quality, service, larger better valves and I would prefer welded over weldless. But if it's really 2 gallons smaller, I may go Fermenator, which I understand is also very nice.
I'd love to hear from anyone with experience, especially if you've seen both and ESPECIALLY if you can tell me if they're the same cone. Fire away with thoughts, experiences, preferences, corrections and additions on any of the differences above. Thanks!
Cheers