BIAB/boil/ferment in SS Brewtech 7 Gallon Conical

[aartese]

I live in an apartment and have limited space for dedicated large boil and ferment buckets. I came across the 3 in 1 fermenter that Brewha makes and I really like the idea. It's just a bit pricey.

My idea is to use Brewtech's 7 gallon fermenter and add a water heater element (heat stick or through side).

I am really new to brewing and only use extract kits for now but I plan to BIAB later on.

Anyone see any issues with this setup? I already asked SS and they said the gaskets could withstand the heat. Im not worried about having the setup out of commission while it ferments because I don't brew that often.

 

[Dcpcooks]

You could possibly make it work, you'll need to use a conical so you can dump trub and break material. Brew in a bag may work as you can lift out the bag and go to boil then dump trub.

I don't know if a heat stick will get you to a boil and an element will require modification of the conical and a controller of some sort to manage the boil/power.

You can chill with an immersion chiller coil. Though you may need to check diameters to find one that will fit in a conical.

There are cheaper ways to skin the cat

 

[aartese]

I already have SS Brewtechs cooling kit. I could just hook that up to the sink for the initial wort cooling then swamp it over to chill water source for fermentation. Definitely cheaper ways to do it but for an all in one vessel I can't really think of anything.

Also, did I post this in the right forum?

 

[Dcpcooks]

You may want to look at the weld less triclamp part Ssbrewtech is offering on the site. I'm ordering one to use as a drain in a coolship. I can let you know if it's water tight in a week or so. It will be on the bottom of a 15 gallon tank so it will have some weight above it.

 

[Nmnbrewer]

I think this is a great idea. Install an element with a weldless tri clover fitting, have a ss basket made for the mash and get a controller. Done. Not cheap but this is a hobby after all.

 

[Dcpcooks]

I think this is a great idea. Install an element with a weldless tri clover fitting, have a ss basket made for the mash and get a controller. Done. Not cheap but this is a hobby after all.

I bet jay bird could make that basket for you. NorCal brewing solutions

 

[aartese]

Dcpcooks - please keep me posted on the leak test! Thanks for the basket tip.

I'm starting to lean towards Spike Brewings 7 gallon fermenter. They said it should be available late June. The larger 2" dump valve will probably come in handy for trub. Also, they can weld in a 2" tri clamp for the heating element and the Inside of the fermenter is polished which I prefer.

 

[radwizard]

I saw someone doing this exact thing on the BIAB Brewing page on Facebook a few days ago. They had a pic of a brew going on. You could search for it on facebook and get in on the comments....

 

[aartese]

Great tip! Requested to join.

 

[shtank]

I have always been into equipment and I'll admit for the most part it's not needed. Great beer can be made with much less, but that's not how I roll.

For my previous setup I built an electric 25 gallon 3 vessel rig on a brew stand that had bottom drains. Then one day about 5 years ago I had an amazing idea. Single vessel brewing! After a few Google searches I found that it's a real thing. I sold my old setup and in my true DIY self, I put together a system.

BIAC has changed my life. Brew day used to be an all day thing. Now there is practically no clean up on brew day. I pour off the trub before pitching. My beer is never in contact with oxyen. Secondary fermentation is a breeze and I'm getting the cleanest beer I've ever made.

I can't say enough about BIAC and if you need anything I'm an open book. Cheers

 

[shtank]

Dcpcooks - please keep me posted on the leak test! Thanks for the basket tip.

I'm starting to lean towards Spike Brewings 7 gallon fermenter. They said it should be available late June. The larger 2" dump valve will probably come in handy for trub. Also, they can weld in a 2" tri clamp for the heating element and the Inside of the fermenter is polished which I prefer.

With only a 7 gallon vessel you will not have enough room for all grain.

 

[BoilerInSoCal]

I have always been into equipment and I'll admit for the most part it's not needed. Great beer can be made with much less, but that's not how I roll.

For my previous setup I built an electric 25 gallon 3 vessel rig on a brew stand that had bottom drains. Then one day about 5 years ago I had an amazing idea. Single vessel brewing! After a few Google searches I found that it's a real thing. I sold my old setup and in my true DIY self, I put together a system.

BIAC has changed my life. Brew day used to be an all day thing. Now there is practically no clean up on brew day. I pour off the trub before pitching. My beer is never in contact with oxyen. Secondary fermentation is a breeze and I'm getting the cleanest beer I've ever made.

I can't say enough about BIAC and if you need anything I'm an open book. Cheers

Hi @shtank, I am really interested in your setup. Do you have any pics, or can you describe more what you are using? I believe I saw a post where you indicated that you were looking into the Brewhardware HotRod, but weren't sure how to keep the bag off of it. What was your solution (or have you found that the bag in contact with the element is not an issue)? I was thinking that you could get a custom bag that would only extend to the level of the element, or perhaps ordering a custom basket (but i think that would require the element to be mounted in the cone, like the brewha or unibrau, which I am sure Spike can do).

Are you finding it difficult to do 5 gal batches due to the volume in the cone? Any advice you have is most appreciated. I am really digging the idea, and the Spike CF10 is calling my name.

 

[SanPancho]

i would just like to point out that you should do some calcs for your heating ability. 5 or 6 gallons to boil typically requires 240volts as i understand it. technically you could run two 120 elements if they are on different circuits. (but now you're installing two elements)

make sure your apartment has appropriate power supply. you didnt mention it in your post, so just want to point that out.

 

[BoilerInSoCal]

Thanks. Yes, I have access to 240v. And now that I think about it, I think the 1/2 barrel options (either chronical or CF15) will be necessary for the ability to do 10 gal batches.