Inductor Tank as Conical Build

Got two 35 gallon Norwesco inductor tanks that I'm converting to conical fermenters. Got the idea awhile back and saw that other brewers had done the same thing, that bolstered the idea.



Stand is 3/4" plywood top with 2x6 frame, very over engineered to hold the weight of two full fermenters.


I used foam insulation for HVAC tubing split and put around the opening to cushion the plastic to wood contact.


These have 8" screw on lids that seal, the center of the lids has a pop out that I will use to install a stopper and airlock.

 

Bottom view of the angled bottom and 2" threaded opening.


Plumbing parts. 2" to 1 1/4" reducers for bottom opening and 1 1/4" valve for bottom dump. 1/2" valves for racking arm and top fill opening.


Tubing. 1/2" reinforced tubing to connect top fill valve to where I brew in the garage. Will be used to pump hot PBW, StarSan, wort from garage to conicals. Gas line will connect to the 2 way manifold at the conicals to allow for purge before filling with wort and when dumping trub making this a completely o2 free environment.

 

I soon hope to be doing this as well, good luck with your build!

 

Awesome. I've been kicking around the idea of doing this for a ~15 gallon setup. Can you make a little list showing part numbers and prices for reference?

 

How are you going to regulate fermentation temp?

 

I'll pull together a parts list, most of it was McMaster-Carr and a bit from B3, and likely several trips to Home Depot..

I brew ales and my basement stays a pretty steady 65-68 most of the year, beyond that there are two heat pumps, one for each room down there. I can either heat or cool if I need to. If I were doing lagers I'd insulate them and put a copper coil in there, run glycol to the keezer and run a temp controlled pump.

 

The McMaster list (PS - this is only for one conical..wanted to make sure I had the right parts before I got everything):

47865K46 1 Each Brass Ball Valve, 1-1/4" Pipe Size, Male X Female
2 47865K23 1 Each Brass Ball Valve, 1/2" Npt Female Connections
3 47865K43 1 Each Brass Ball Valve, 1/2" Pipe Size, Male X Female
4 5018T244 1 Pack As3578 Buna-n O-ring, As568a Dash Number 207
5 4429K113 1 Each Low-pressure Brass Threaded Pipe Fitting, 1/2" Pipe Size, Coupling
6 91950A035 1 Pack Type 316 Stainless Steel Sae Flat Washer, 5/8" Screw Sz, 21/32"id, 1-5/16"od, .074"-.121"thk

The More Beer list:

D1704 Beverage Line (5/16 in. ID) - By the Foot 40 40 0.6000 24.00
D1800 Gas Manifold - 2 Way 1 1 27.5000 27.50
TUB104 Tubing - Reinforced Vinyl (1/2 in) - By the Foot 40 40 0.9000 36.00
H416 Brass - 1/4 in. mpt x 1/4 in. barb 2 0 1.1000 0.00

Stinkin brass 1/4 barb was back ordered, guess I'll get that at HD. Need some more couplers for the 1/2" valves and likely a 1/2" nipple as well as several other things I will discover only after at least three trips to HD. No project can be completed without paying homage to home improvement store gods...three trips minimum..

 

Is the 2" to 1 1/4" reducer in that list?

 

No, I got those from the place where I bought the tanks in Griffin GA, Newton-Crouch. Figured I'd best get them there as they aren't that common.

 

Bump.... Any updates on this project.

 

Any updates? Are the conicals air permeable? Do you have to worry about oxidation to the beer? I'm thinking if you let it sit long term as in Barleywine or lagering...

 

how much did the tanks cost and how are they working out??

 

Zombie thread revival!!!

Not sure if he has used them lately... He has been uber busy lately... If he doesn't respond I will try to let him know someone is inquiring about it...

 

gotta love the search feature!

i'm about to buy a few plastic conicals and this is the most recent I came across. maybe there will be some good long term info then haha.

much thanks

 

Any update?

p.s. the original photos are gone

 

I have a post somewhere with all the hardware for a 110g inductor tank build. That should get you started, just change the sizes to fit the conical you buy. Should I link it? No pics, though.

 

Ya, that would be great.

There are a few micro breweries using these 100 gal tanks. I am interested in how long they can be used for primary/secondary/serving.

 

Found it- here's the parts list for the 110g inductor tank build. They're very popular with small startups, I know Mike Hess has been using his for 2 years without problems.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/biodiesel-tanks-418686/#post5311442

 

Any chance I can grab that parts list? Been interested in trying this.

 

Wow, did I really say I had found the post and then not included the link? Nice.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/biodiesel-tanks-418686/#post5311442

Original post edited.