15 Gallon Fermenter Table Build

[SpottedDogBrewing]

So it seems like the basic premise is that your "yeast catcher" is really a "yeast and everything else catcher" and your goal is not so much harvesting the yeast (as I don't see how you would be separating the yeast from the trub after you collect it), just getting the beer off of the trub and yeast and having a clearer beer when kegging?

CORRECT! Kinda
But yeast can still be harvested from the first dumping after fermentation is complete.
Not any different than collecting the yeast from the bottom of an Ale Pail after fermentation. Check out the wiki on yeast washing.
It makes the entire secondary process much easier also; Once the first dumping the clearing process begins in the yeast/shrub catcher
Cheers

 

[Jeebas]

CORRECT! Kinda
But yeast can still be harvested from the first dumping after fermentation is complete.
Not any different than collecting the yeast from the bottom of an Ale Pail after fermentation. Check out the wiki on yeast washing.
It makes the entire secondary process much easier also; Once the first dumping the clearing process begins in the yeast/shrub catcher
Cheers

Sweet! I'm gonna have to add a build like this to my list (yay! and ugh! at the same time)

 

[lonepalm]

How much will your yeast/shrub catcher hold? for my 30 gallon fermenter I made a 2 quart catcher, I may make one that is 3 quart or 1 gallon.

Same goes for the 15 gallon fermenter, right now I have a 1 quart. I should move it up to possibly 2quart or 3 quart.

You have to find the sweet spot where everything collects in there during fermentation and secondary times.

If you have a smaller catcher try changing it out more often or make a larger one.

Do you filter anything through a screen or have a hop screen that cuts down on trub? I usually just dump it all in

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Do you filter anything through a screen or have a hop screen that cuts down on trub? I usually just dump it all in

I use a grain bag for my hop additions during the boil. Check out another concept, search HOP SPIDER!

 

[kumachan]

I understand that you have the valve open to get the first batch of yeast/junk (Primary). But once you clean it out and re-attach it and open it again to collect the (Secondary) yeast/junk; are you not opening up and allowing a 1-2quart air/oxygen bubble to pass through the leftovers and agitating it into the beer?

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

I understand that you have the valve open to get the first batch of yeast/junk (Primary). But once you clean it out and re-attach it and open it again to collect the (Secondary) yeast/junk; are you not opening up and allowing a 1-2quart air/oxygen bubble to pass through the leftovers and agitating it into the beer?

YES!
A few times I've injected the catcher with CO2 and installed, but I haven't had a problem with air getting in from the catcher. But once the air goes to the top I'm sure the CO2 Sitting on top of the beer pushes the air out!

 

[david_the_greek]

darn you people and your inspiring me to spend more money.... Very cool though. Is there a general consensus on which opening to get, Full drain vs the inductor tank with bulkhead fitting? I'd imagine the full drain is nice because you don't have edges for gunk to collect.

 

[ghoti]

Where did you get your three piece ball valves from?

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Where did you get your three piece ball valves from?

I search most of my stuff thru eBay or amazon first for any deals! I bought the plastic valves I have now from Menards ( home depot or lowes type of place).

 

[scottkct]

Hey I've had my eye on this trub turd catcher. I'm not an overly cautious person but the idea of using PVC for extended periods of time makes my go HMMM.

I just ran across this and thought it would be a prefect upgrade. It requires converting your 1" thread to a tri-clamp ferrule but that in itself would be a nice upgrade. They come in .5L and 1L all the way up to 20L sizes. $65 for the .5L as of writing this, $69 for 1L.

http://www.gwkent.com/stainless-steel-bottles.html

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Hey I've had my eye on this trub turd catcher. I'm not an overly cautious person but the idea of using PVC for extended periods of time makes my go HMMM.

I just ran across this and thought it would be a prefect upgrade. It requires converting your 1" thread to a tri-clamp ferrule but that in itself would be a nice upgrade. They come in .5L and 1L all the way up to 20L sizes. $65 for the .5L as of writing this, $69 for 1L.

http://www.gwkent.com/stainless-steel-bottles.html

Very Nice

 

[DrBrew809]

Side by side...1st batch 5 gallon of APA bottled, little glass 10 gallon

Love the clarity of your beer. I wonder how do you do that.
My homebrews are always cloudy no matter what. I really don't mind but wife and friends do prefer clear beers. Right now i only bottle them, can't go keg yet.
Cheers to you!

 

[TheFightingC]

Love the yeast catcher idea. I went to pick up parts at Lowe's, and the only 1-1/2" to 4" adapter I could find was DWV rated, which is not for potable water. Biggest pipe I could get that was NSF-PW (potable water rated) was 2", and I couldn't even find all the right fittings at that size. Any idea if you used the NSF-PW or the DWV? If you used DWV, does anyone know where to find similar 4" fittings that are NSF-PW rated?

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Love the yeast catcher idea. I went to pick up parts at Lowe's, and the only 1-1/2" to 4" adapter I could find was DWV rated, which is not for potable water. Biggest pipe I could get that was NSF-PW (potable water rated) was 2", and I couldn't even find all the right fittings at that size. Any idea if you used the NSF-PW or the DWV? If you used DWV, does anyone know where to find similar 4" fittings that are NSF-PW rated?

If I remember correctly, I bought some of the parts from Lowes and some of the parts from Home depot! All items were potable rated.


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[r8rphan]

Since my next project after I finish my brewery rebuild is to ditch the two 6.5g glass carboys and go to a single plastic conical.. I 'really' appreciate this thread..

Lots of great info, and answered most of my questions...