Check out this Stainless Conical Fermenter

I just received my stainless conical from http://www.conical-fermenter.com and I must say that I am extremly satisfied with the craftmanship! I ordered the 7.3 with the thermowell. First of all it was boxed up really well (see pics below) and second the info sheet provided is very detailed. If there is any flaw what-so-ever, it is the welds on the thermowell are not as clean as the output valves (see pic below). With that said, they are still really good! Plus John was extremly helpfull and answered any questions I had. Here are the pics!

Boxed Up



Box was reinforced with ply wood



Out of the Box



Unpacked!



Top Sanitary Outlet



Bottom Sanitary Outlet



Outlet Welds (Inside)



Thermowell Welds (Inside)

 

She's a beaut, Clark!!!

 

what did shipping run you?

 

"Thanks for noticing Art!"

 

$30 to Colorado Springs. I ordered it Thursday and recieved it today. Extremly fast, John is a good guy to work with.

 

That looks like a really good deal than. looks well constructed and very reasonable price... let us know how it works out.

 

just curious, how much it set you back?

 

Putting a wheat in it this weekend. I don't anticipate any issues but I will update with results.

 

$330 with shipping. I would use the "contact page" on the website for exact quotes.

 

"NICE"!!:rockin:

That may be my next step... It will make my neighbor happy as I'll probably give him some of my equipment, so he can get started brewing.

First though, I've got to get one of Johns Kettles...

Great to see the pictures and quality opinions on the work. Sure looks spectacular!

Cheers and Happy brewing

 

Where is the thermowell mounted?

 

That thermowell weld looks disturbing. Hopefully its just the picture.

 

The welds are actually really good, my stupid camera can't focus up that close.

 

That looks like a great fermenter and stainless for the price of a plastic mini-brew. Will have to keep my eye on these.

 

THese are a great price and the guys are very easy to work and communicate with

 

I wonder how bad I'd get dinged getting it across the border.

 

Wow that is a great price. Definitely bookmarking that site for future review

 

I foresee one of these in my future:rockin:

 

Update! I just transfered an English Pale Ale and it was goooood! I love this thing! I highly recommend this fermenter!

 

I keep watching these on eBay. Haven't quite figured out why people bid them up higher than the web-site price; maybe it's the thrill of competition, but I digress.

I've got this internal debate going over whether to get the thermowell so I'm looking for input. I always ferment in my basement storage area, which maintains about 68-70 degrees year-round. Typically reds, IPAs, Stouts. If I lager (which is rarely) it will be in a temp controlled environment, so when does the thermometer come into play? What kind of brewing scenarios mandate that precise a level of temperature monitoring, and what would you be doing with the fermenter that would control it?

 

I have a thermowell in my fermenter. Rarely varies more than a degree from outside wall of metal keg. Now that I have proven that to myself I would have no need for it in any future fermenter. And if you have no way to control temperature (fridge or chamber of some kind) then it would be of little use.

 

In my opinion, all fermentations benefit from precise control.

Taping a probe to the side, IMO, is probably just as good as a thermowell, or nearly so. Especially if the thermowell is not sanitary (polished surface). The thermowell is a convenience though as you don't have to go through rules of painter's tape and bubble wrap.

As for what would control it? A fridge/freezer, a heat source if necessary, and a digital temp controller (love, ranco, johnson, BCS, whatevs).

 

Did you have any issues dumping the trub or yeast? I was wondering if the bottom valve clogged easily. it's 3/4", right?

 

275 plus freight for the conical without the thermometer.
330 with freight and with a thermometer.

Did the mini brew conical's go up in price? I only paid 150 each at the local home brew shop for both of my mini brew conical's.

Edit: Bakins,
FWIW My mini brews have a 3/4" drain on the bottom and I have never had a clog.

 

I'm pretty sure that if it's made in the USA then there is no duty charge at the border.

 

They are made in China, if that matters.

 

I'm pretty sure these are made in China at the price listed.

 

Then the chances are 50/50. I brought a jointer/planer across that I picked up from Grizzly in Pennsilvania that was made in China. They never even asked...no duties!

 

I called the duty is 6% of it is made in china and ships from the US. If its made in China and ships from China it's 3%. I would have never called that one

 

You guys saying that these are made in China or the others on Ebay?

http://www.conical-fermenter.com/

 

Both, I think. (Not 100% sure about the ebay ones.)

 

I've read their site and it don't say where the stuff is made, unless I missed it. I like the looks of their stuff. Really like the looks of their kettle's. Be nice to know if they are made in USA,

 

Considering the owner said* the factory was off for Chinese new-year, I'm guessing they are made in China.

(*I emailed about some possible modifications and that was in his answer.)

 

That says it all. Too bad. Still good looking stuff. At those prices I can't say I'm surprised.

 

What are the advantages of these vs a carboy or bucket?

 

sexy mamma!

 

Yeast harvesting, dumping of trub, no transfering for secondary, stainles not plastic, plus they are cool.

 

Ordered my 7.3g without thermowell yesterday! I can't wait! Getting tired of the carboys.

 

Without being any kind of a jerk........can I ask why everyone is so excited about this guys equipment?

The kettle is nothing more then a keegle. If you like the cone shaped bottom, then don't put in a dip tube. IIRC the dimensions are even close to a keegle.

Short of the fermentors being polished (poorly IMO) they don't even have sanitary ball valves. Also IIRC they are twice the cost of a mini brew conical. I am sorry I just don't understand why everyone is excited over this equipment. The welds IMO look like sh#$.




Please understand I am not bashing in any way here. I just would like to know. Maybe I should get into the business.


Edit: At these prices are they even passivated? Or is it just a shop welding these things up and then throwing on a polish job?

 

I think there are two different suppliers discussed in this thread. Which are you talking about