So I'm in the market for a conical, likely in the 14g range for 11 gallon batches.
I'm looking at four but am having a hard time making a decision.
1) Blichmann 14.5g Tri - Clamp.
Price: $746.99 delivered. (AHB 1 day 10% off Sale, have to order July 2nd)
Pros:
Blichman makes high quality stuff
Rotating racking arm
Includes tri clamp fittings.
Compact size = easier to find ferm chamber
Great design, folding handles, corny style lid for yeast/dry hopping etc.
Made in the US?
Cons:
Threaded fittings, people have reported them leaking.
Rack & Dump come with ball valves, extra cost to replace with butterfly.
Accessories are expensive ($120 for a blowoff?)
2) Stout short 14.5 gal with 3" TC x 1.5" port.
Price: $630ish + $80 shipping. Approx $710 delivered.
Pros:
Sanitary welds.
Price includes butterfly valves & blow off adapter
Compact size
Rotating racking arm.
Cons:
Long lead time
Made in China
6 month Warranty
3) Morebeer Be 14.5gal
Price: $829 + $88 tax. Approx $917 delivered.
Pros:
Sanitary welds
I like their lid clamp.
Conical is removable from stand.
Includes tri clap fittings, butterfly and racking arm with sample valve.
Cons:
Long lead time.
One of the most expensive options.
4) Brewhemoth 20gal with IC option.
Price: $774, unknown on shipping.
Pros:
Would easily handle 10g batches and scale up to 1/2bbl.
IC allows for the conical to be placed anywhere in my house, and eliminates need for a fermentation chamber for the conical.
Quick lead time.
Cons:
Doesn't come with any tri clamp fittings, adding at least $100 to the cost.
Requires CIP and another cooler and pump. Cost savings on a ferm chamber would be negated by these.
No rotating racking arm & sample valve.
Not sure how effective it would really be for a 5 gallon batch.
The Morebeer seems to be the nicest, but also the most expensive once you get a ferm chamber. The stout is likely out as it's almost the cost of the blichmann and if I'm going to pay that much I'm not likely to wait 2 months for it.
The brewhemoth is really tempting as I don't want to be tied to a ferm chamber (and the MB Peltier is out at $1700+) but while the flexability to scale up to 1/2bbl is nice, it seems unlikely I would ever do so.
So what's a dude to do?
I'm looking at four but am having a hard time making a decision.
1) Blichmann 14.5g Tri - Clamp.
Price: $746.99 delivered. (AHB 1 day 10% off Sale, have to order July 2nd)
Pros:
Blichman makes high quality stuff
Rotating racking arm
Includes tri clamp fittings.
Compact size = easier to find ferm chamber
Great design, folding handles, corny style lid for yeast/dry hopping etc.
Made in the US?
Cons:
Threaded fittings, people have reported them leaking.
Rack & Dump come with ball valves, extra cost to replace with butterfly.
Accessories are expensive ($120 for a blowoff?)
2) Stout short 14.5 gal with 3" TC x 1.5" port.
Price: $630ish + $80 shipping. Approx $710 delivered.
Pros:
Sanitary welds.
Price includes butterfly valves & blow off adapter
Compact size
Rotating racking arm.
Cons:
Long lead time
Made in China
6 month Warranty
3) Morebeer Be 14.5gal
Price: $829 + $88 tax. Approx $917 delivered.
Pros:
Sanitary welds
I like their lid clamp.
Conical is removable from stand.
Includes tri clap fittings, butterfly and racking arm with sample valve.
Cons:
Long lead time.
One of the most expensive options.
4) Brewhemoth 20gal with IC option.
Price: $774, unknown on shipping.
Pros:
Would easily handle 10g batches and scale up to 1/2bbl.
IC allows for the conical to be placed anywhere in my house, and eliminates need for a fermentation chamber for the conical.
Quick lead time.
Cons:
Doesn't come with any tri clamp fittings, adding at least $100 to the cost.
Requires CIP and another cooler and pump. Cost savings on a ferm chamber would be negated by these.
No rotating racking arm & sample valve.
Not sure how effective it would really be for a 5 gallon batch.
The Morebeer seems to be the nicest, but also the most expensive once you get a ferm chamber. The stout is likely out as it's almost the cost of the blichmann and if I'm going to pay that much I'm not likely to wait 2 months for it.
The brewhemoth is really tempting as I don't want to be tied to a ferm chamber (and the MB Peltier is out at $1700+) but while the flexability to scale up to 1/2bbl is nice, it seems unlikely I would ever do so.
So what's a dude to do?