Blichmann Tri-Clamp

[AlkiBrewing]

I'm looking at buying a Blichmann 7.5 gal conical and am wondering if the tri-clamp option is worth the additional $. If anybody is familiar with them and could provide some input I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[arkham_razors]

I have the 14 gallon model and love the tri-clamps. Makes it easy to thoroughly clean/sanitize your fermentor, the one piece of equipment where sanitation matters most in the brewing process, IMHO.

 

[JasonO]

I also have the 14 gal version and have the tri-clamps. I've got my first batch (5 gallon) going through it now. In my opinion it is worth the extra cost. Almost too easy to clean and sanitize. After working with these I could never imagine having to unscrew connections to clean.

Also you should have a look at the 14 gallon if you are not limited by storage space. The price difference is not that much more and you are future-proofing yourself if you ever get into 10 gallon batches. You also get a ton of head space on those really active 5 gallon batches.

-Jason

 

[bdjohns1]

I don't own one of their fermentation tanks, but I'm a big fan of tri-clamps. Why? Because they're the standard for sanitary fittings in the food and beverage industry. My company's sanitary design guidelines (which exceed 3A standards) don't allow threaded fittings or anything that has tight crevices (ie weldless assemblies, camlocks or other quick disconnects, etc) on product contact surfaces.

 

[StMarcos]

But the blichmans still have threaded bits and o-rings because they are weldless.... You would want to take those apart each time to be rigorous I reckon. I had 2 14 gallon bmans for years and years. Took the whole thingers apart each and every time, including the valves, and replacing the teflon tape. What a pain. Ball valves aren't sanitary once they've been opened and close a cycle anyway it seems. If you're going triclamp, I would recommend welded tcs, and butterfly valves. Otherwise, you tcs are just for making the connections more easily, and some bling, not that there's anything wrong with that....