Big Mouth Bubbler Evo 2

[Rev2010]

I will be using it this weekend for a PA.

So - review:

So - for those on the fence ... GET THIS.

I'm glad initial inspection seems to checkout, I definitely don't enjoy stories of my fellow homebrewers getting injured, but perhaps you should consider putting it through actual use before giving it an all caps stamp of approval.


Rev.

 

[Homercidal]

I'm in no hurry to get one until extensive use by others proves they are reasonably safe. I'll make do with plastic for now.

Actually I'm thinking about the FastFerment plastic conical. If I can find a good way to mount it in my ferm chamber I'll consider buying one.

I have the Plastic MBM 5 gallon and it's fine for short term secondary, or for small batch primary.

 

[ericfine50]

I took advantage of NB's 20% off sale and bought one of these. Arrived today. Will see how it works and how it holds up

 

[Happywanderer]

I'm glad initial inspection seems to checkout, I definitely don't enjoy stories of my fellow homebrewers getting injured, but perhaps you should consider putting it through actual use before giving it an all caps stamp of approval.


Rev.

I don't have to wait till I put it through actual use before giving it an all caps stamp of approval. My review is based on its physical construction. Which is the main point of concern for everyone reading this thread.

Anything that holds liquid can ferment wort.

This review is my opinion. My opinion is that this fermenter is GREAT.

You are entitled to your opinion.

Man.

---

For those that will not ever get this fermenter and only are posting on here about how sh*tty they are... why bother? This thread is for those that might or might not actually want to purchase and use this fermenter.

Posting that you are only going to use plastic because glass is made of glass ... well that's

 

[hunter_le five]

I don't have to wait till I put it through actual use before giving it an all caps stamp of approval. My review is based on its physical construction. Which is the main point of concern for everyone reading this thread.

Anything that holds liquid can ferment wort.

This review is my opinion. My opinion is that this fermenter is GREAT.

You are entitled to your opinion.

Man.

---

For those that will not ever get this fermenter and only are posting on here about how sh*tty they are... why bother? This thread is for those that might or might not actually want to purchase and use this fermenter.

Posting that you are only going to use plastic because glass is made of glass ... well that's

That's all well and good, but have you actually filled it up with 5+ gallons of liquid and tried to move it yet?

Not trying to be snarky, that's a serious question. Saying "it feels solid enough" is not the same thing as actually testing it.

 

[Happywanderer]

That's all well and good, but have you actually filled it up with 5+ gallons of liquid and tried to move it yet?

Not trying to be snarky, that's a serious question. Saying "it feels solid enough" is not the same thing as actually testing it.

That is a serious question and not snarky at all.

Yes I have. I filled it with 6 gallons and moved it. Because I was sanitizing it. As stated, I've got a plastic 6.5g BMB harness on it (not perfect fit. close enough).

 

[Happywanderer]

I forgot to mention - the gallon markings line up. So that is another plus.

 

[Homercidal]

I don't have to wait till I put it through actual use before giving it an all caps stamp of approval. My review is based on its physical construction. Which is the main point of concern for everyone reading this thread.

Anything that holds liquid can ferment wort.

This review is my opinion. My opinion is that this fermenter is GREAT.

You are entitled to your opinion.

Man.

---

For those that will not ever get this fermenter and only are posting on here about how sh*tty they are... why bother? This thread is for those that might or might not actually want to purchase and use this fermenter.

Posting that you are only going to use plastic because glass is made of glass ... well that's

Not OT at all. It's a comparison between the topic of discussion, a glass container which is closely related to one that has been proven to have a good chance of breaking, and a very similar container made of plastic that is not likely to break at all.

By all means, be the guinea pig! The more people testing these things out, the better!

Won't be me, though. It's not worth the hassle of ordering, replacing, losing beer, getting hurt.

 

[JPrather]

I don't have to wait till I put it through actual use before giving it an all caps stamp of approval. My review is based on its physical construction. Which is the main point of concern for everyone reading this thread.

Anything that holds liquid can ferment wort.

This review is my opinion. My opinion is that this fermenter is GREAT.

You are entitled to your opinion.

Man.

---

For those that will not ever get this fermenter and only are posting on here about how sh*tty they are... why bother? This thread is for those that might or might not actually want to purchase and use this fermenter.

Posting that you are only going to use plastic because glass is made of glass ... well that's

People who are raving about it because they're on a buyers high and don't want to regret their decision are no better than people who are degrading something they haven't tried.

You do realize your review is nearly identical to all of the "JUST GOT MY BIG MOUTH BUBBLER, THIS THING ROCKS!!!!" posts people made when these things first came out right?

The new bubbler could have exactly the same issues as the old one with respect to breakage, and your review would read the same as it does now. So for all of the people whose main skepticism about the new bubbler is being unconvinced that it automatically solves the breakage issues, your review does nothing for them.

That doesn't mean your review isn't valuable, but you shouldn't be surprised that people are taking it with a grain of salt.

 

[Rev2010]

I don't have to wait till I put it through actual use before giving it an all caps stamp of approval.

This review is my opinion. My opinion is that this fermenter is GREAT.

You are entitled to your opinion.

Man.

Wow, I really value your opinion even more now You're taking this too personally as your replies seem uneccesarily defensive.


Rev.

 

[Thedutchtouch]

Hooray another overpriced bucket.

 

[awright42]

I have an EVO-2, I also have one of the original series. The EVO-2 is much thicker and lacks the original grid pattern which may have been part of the uniform thickness issue. I drilled the lid for a grommet and thermo well just as I did the original. I use a standard airlock. I always use a harness. At 63 I don't curl 60 pounds as well as I once did. I do have a negative comment. The lid on the original fit perfectly. Once loose, a flick of the thumb would spin the lid a turn or two. The new EVO-2 required a rather forceful twist to move the lid. Obviously the lid was dragging. The mold lines created a lump through the threads on the bottle neck. I ground the major diameter at the mold lines to the same as the rest of the threads and also relieved the excess glass at the thread root. The lid runs rather nicely now although still requiring more torque than the original. I do like the improvement in the glass and appreciate the ease of cleaning. That is why I purchased the first one. Plus glass is glass and I like glass for cleaning and sanitation. My evaluation is that the product is good and the best option for glass and ease of cleaning.

 

[Paps]

Yeah, I've read them. What's your point?

Read m post again, perhaps slowly this time around.
Cheers.

 

[Happywanderer]

I have an EVO-2, I also have one of the original series. The EVO-2 is much thicker and lacks the original grid pattern which may have been part of the uniform thickness issue. I drilled the lid for a grommet and thermo well just as I did the original. I use a standard airlock. I always use a harness. At 63 I don't curl 60 pounds as well as I once did. I do have a negative comment. The lid on the original fit perfectly. Once loose, a flick of the thumb would spin the lid a turn or two. The new EVO-2 required a rather forceful twist to move the lid. Obviously the lid was dragging. The mold lines created a lump through the threads on the bottle neck. I ground the major diameter at the mold lines to the same as the rest of the threads and also relieved the excess glass at the thread root. The lid runs rather nicely now although still requiring more torque than the original. I do like the improvement in the glass and appreciate the ease of cleaning. That is why I purchased the first one. Plus glass is glass and I like glass for cleaning and sanitation. My evaluation is that the product is good and the best option for glass and ease of cleaning.

I too found the lid "sticky" but didn't check the cause. I figured they just made the opening .05mm wider or some such. Where'd you get your thermowell? I'm going to do the same to my lid. Already have the grommet.

 

[pittsburghguy]

Just got mine today in the mail. Will put it to work this weekend. As to one of my earlier post, the evo2 fits in a milk crate. Which I have found to be an easy and safe View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1424390067.313441.jpgway to move glass carboys.

 

[awright42]

I too found the lid "sticky" but didn't check the cause. I figured they just made the opening .05mm wider or some such. Where'd you get your thermowell? I'm going to do the same to my lid. Already have the grommet.

Some slight grinding did help the lid fit. I get my thermowells from www.brewershardware.com. I like the 3/8" x 16" straight walled model for the fermentors. That fits the same grommet as the airlocks.

 

[wbarber69]

Looks nice. I used threaded thermowells from brewhardware.com on mine.

 

[Happywanderer]

Thanks for heads up on that site...much cheaper than other sites....much.

Here's my PA fermenting away...notice the crazy krausen. That's 5.5 gallons in there.

Noticed the blowoff tube doesn't fit snugly in the hole. Bummer there actually. The opening is just a HAIR to big.

BUT, I took the lid to ace hardware. A 1.25 OD hose fits OVER the threaded portion of the lid quite snug.

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1424623278.204083.jpg


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

 

[wbarber69]

I use 15/16" tubing for a blowoff that fits inside. And sometimes I've been known to use 1" and taper the edge to make it fit if I was in a pinch.

 

[splyn]

i purchased a BMB v2 and have been unable to get the lid to seal. I purchased the extra seals with the vessel and found that using multiple seals is an improvement, but still no seal. I have examined the sealing surface and found no obvious low or high spots. I even purchased a second lid with the same results. i currently have used it for a PTE and i was looking forward to using it for dry hopping, but without a seal i dont trust it for post fermentation procedures.

i have some FDA approved silicone mat arriving shortly to make a proper seal for it.

 

[wbarber69]

I think someone had this issue before in the thread. I think it had something to do with the seam from the mold in the threads themselves on the glass.

 

[mpcluever]

Bubbles - "purposely in the glass"?

You folks must realize none of these "Bubblers" were actually designed for what NB is selling them for...

Cheers!

It was designed by Northern Brewer... What do you think they designed it for?

 

[bja]

It's was designed by Northern Brewer... What do you think they designed it for?

I asked him too and got no response.

 

[Homercidal]

I asked him too and got no response.

These seem to have been made in various sizes for fermenting Kimchee in Asian markets.

NB seems to have modified the lids to make fermenting beer a bit easier.

 

[bja]

These seem to have been made in various sizes for fermenting Kimchee in Asian markets.

NB seems to have modified the lids to make fermenting beer a bit easier.

Got a link?

 

[mpcluever]

These seem to have been made in various sizes for fermenting Kimchee in Asian markets.

NB seems to have modified the lids to make fermenting beer a bit easier.

Similar maybe. My roommate works in product development at NB and these were designed and manufactured for NB.

 

[LandoLincoln]

i purchased a BMB v2 and have been unable to get the lid to seal. I purchased the extra seals with the vessel and found that using multiple seals is an improvement, but still no seal. I have examined the sealing surface and found no obvious low or high spots. I even purchased a second lid with the same results. i currently have used it for a PTE and i was looking forward to using it for dry hopping, but without a seal i dont trust it for post fermentation procedures.

i have some FDA approved silicone mat arriving shortly to make a proper seal for it.

I think you're worrying too much. How exactly do you believe that foreign matter is going to get into the fermentor? Wild yeasts floating in the air are going to get under the lid, go through the threads, and up over the lip, get past the layer of CO2 that's sitting on top of the beer and then into your beer? That would be pretty freaking amazing.

 

[Homercidal]

Similar maybe. My roommate works in product development at NB and these were designed and manufactured for NB.

VERY similar. Right up to the lid with the integrated "bubbler" airlock...

I saw pictures from the internet when NB first came out with it. Pretty much EXACTLY the same thing, but the Kimchee fermenter came in smaller sizes. I'll see what I can find out.


I can't seem to find any pictures or links to them now. I will have to concede to your roommate's claim until I can find those links again.

The lid bubbler design has been around for ages in crocks. Maybe NB should think about selling 5G crockware fermentors?

 

[Paps]

Maybe NB should think about selling nothing made out of glass that they design larger than a pint glass?

Fixed that fer ya man.:cross:

 

[splyn]

I think you're worrying too much. How exactly do you believe that foreign matter is going to get into the fermentor? Wild yeasts floating in the air are going to get under the lid, go through the threads, and up over the lip, get past the layer of CO2 that's sitting on top of the beer and then into your beer? That would be pretty freaking amazing.

I harbor no pre-conceptions that i need a sealed container to keep out unwanted agents. I do want to limit the route any expelled gasses or blowoff follow to paths of my own design and not from any or all gaps they can find.

I have received my new seal material and cut the new seal in about 3 minutes. Once installed it achieved a good seal and airlock activity began (an indicator of a seal and not necessarily fermentation activity). I also noticed that the lack of seal caused the blowoff to seep out of the lid and not through my blowoff tube making a minor mess in my fermenter.