Brew Bucket by SS Brewing Technologies

[Beer-lord]

When transferring your wort from the boil kettle to the fermenter are you leaving the trub behind in the kettle? Or are you just dumping everything from the kettle?

I'm leaving 85% of it behind for sure. Even the yeast is usually above the spigot. I don't add more yeast than I need, at least not according to yeastcalc but as I said, it's not a big deal, just a small peeve of mine so far. I just had to find something wrong with it.

 

[disney7]

That's weird. I've done about a dozen brews in one and with most beers the yeast compacts down into the cone and I can rack off clear beer with the new style (longer) arm at its lowest position.

With imperial stouts I can rotate it a little below horizontal before I start picking up junk.

I do cold crash them all though and that might be making the difference.

 

[TVHABrewguy]

I don't know, I have more than anyone else of these (10 right now) and somehow don't have any of the issues that some seem to be whining about. I have had as many as 6 going at the same time and love them. I have zero regrets about changing from plastic buckets and carboys and even went ahead and got one of their Chronicals. I know of at least one large craft brewer who uses these things for their hop trials when doing experimental batches, so how bad can they be?


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[dk21]

I so wanted one of these. I bought one and the stainless was pitted inside. The replacement had a dent in it (no apparent damage to the box) so I gave up. I was pretty disappointed...

 

[Braufessor]

I'm leaving 85% of it behind for sure. Even the yeast is usually above the spigot. I don't add more yeast than I need, at least not according to yeastcalc but as I said, it's not a big deal, just a small peeve of mine so far. I just had to find something wrong with it.

One thing I do (and did with previous fermenters too) is that I put my fermenter on top of counter (or where ever you plan to put it for kegging/transfer) about 2-3 days beforehand. That way it is sitting in place, without being disturbed for a couple days before transfer. Moving it around, lifting, etc. can kick up a lot of sediment.

I generally don't cold crash and get pretty clean to totally clear beer straight out of the primary and into the keg.

The only time I generally have some problems is when I have really highly hopped beers - like 4-6 ounces throughout the boil, 4-6 ounces in whirlpool and another 4-6 ounces dry hop ...... that is the only time I tend to get some debris in the transfer.

 

[FastDogBrewing]

I so wanted one of these. I bought one and the stainless was pitted inside. The replacement had a dent in it (no apparent damage to the box) so I gave up. I was pretty disappointed...

Do you have pics of the pits? These have become really popular with a lot of people I know, and I have not heard any complaints. I have two, my sister in law bought 5, and I have a number of friends who have a LOT.

Would really like to know what kinds of pits people are seeing. If there is a quality issue SSBrewtech should know about it.

 

[FastDogBrewing]

I'm leaving 85% of it behind for sure. Even the yeast is usually above the spigot. I don't add more yeast than I need, at least not according to yeastcalc but as I said, it's not a big deal, just a small peeve of mine so far. I just had to find something wrong with it.

I have a false bottom in my boil kettle and do a whirlpool then rest after flameout. I end up with very little trub, hop matter, or break material in the fermenter.

 

[trboyden]

The lid gasket issue is really a non-issue. It's not supposed to be air tight, it's just supposed to keep dust, bugs, and other stuff out of the fermenter. Has no one here heard of open fermentation? I'm not saying this is the equivalent to that, but the point is a loose gasket or stopper seal is not the end of the world for fermenting beer - in any container. People have been making beer for thousands of years. Do you really think they had completely air tight vessels that entire time? If you have buyers remorse so be it. Use something else. No one is stopping you. But some of you guys sound like a bunch of whiny women - no offense intended to the actual Frau Brauer on this forum.

 

[Beer-lord]

One thing I do (and did with previous fermenters too) is that I put my fermenter on top of counter (or where ever you plan to put it for kegging/transfer) about 2-3 days beforehand. That way it is sitting in place, without being disturbed for a couple days before transfer. Moving it around, lifting, etc. can kick up a lot of sediment.

I generally don't cold crash and get pretty clean to totally clear beer straight out of the primary and into the keg.

The only time I generally have some problems is when I have really highly hopped beers - like 4-6 ounces throughout the boil, 4-6 ounces in whirlpool and another 4-6 ounces dry hop ...... that is the only time I tend to get some debris in the transfer.

I definitely let the fermenter sit a day or so before kegging but the inside arm is still mostly covered with yeast.
I'm very pleased with this fermenter and think my beers taste better in this though it could just be me. I'm not sorry at all I got it and have only used a bucket once since I bought it and that was because the SS Fermenter was in use.

 

[mspindler]

I absolutely LOVE mine!

 

[dk21]

Photo of pitting attached as requested by a previous poster. I have some guys in my club that love these too. I pretty much always get defective products, so I wouldn't take my experience as a typical example.

 

[FastDogBrewing]

Photo of pitting attached as requested by a previous poster. I have some guys in my club that love these too. I pretty much always get defective products, so I wouldn't take my experience as a typical example.

Out of curiosity, why is this pitting an issue for you?

You said you sent it back, and they sent you a new one? I think we can all say one thing, SSBrewtech customer service has been impressive.

 

[FastDogBrewing]

I was talking to a friend about the issues people have had, he has some buckets too. He sent me this screen shot. Apparently Stone is using the buckets for hop trials and is very happy with this. I thought that was pretty cool, and a good endorsement.

 

[dk21]

Umm, I'm not really looking to get into anything here. I bought a new product, which I expect to be free from defect. I gave them two shots. I'm glad you're having a positive experience. I didn't, unfortunately. This is a thread for sharing experiences with the product. I simply shared my experience.

 

[FastDogBrewing]

Umm, I'm not really looking to get into anything here. I bought a new product, which I expect to be free from defect. I gave them two shots. I'm glad you're having a positive experience. I didn't, unfortunately. This is a thread for sharing experiences with the product. I simply shared my experience.

Understand, and I would do the same.



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[RyanSweeney]

"Cool factor" aside, are these really worth $225 over a bucket with a spigot?

 

[Braufessor]

"Cool factor" aside, are these really worth $225 over a bucket with a spigot?

I use/used bottling buckets for fermenting exclusively for years...... They work great. I bought a couple SS buckets on first release for the cheaper price. I liked them and bought two more for a more expensive price a couple months later. I am happy with them. Glad I bought them. I still use bottling buckets too if I have more than 4 beers going.

Are they "worth it"???? If it is not going to "put you out" to buy them..... sure.

To me I am happy I bought them. Now, I would not spend that money on the SS buckets instead of temperature control, or other aspects of brewing if it was a choice. But, I have everything else I need, and I had some money to spend on them.

They are easier to clean, they are obviously stainless instead of plastic which is a plus. The conical bottom drops sediment out better than it seemed to just settling in a bucket. The only thing that I still worry about with the SS bucket is the ball lock spigot..... I am really paranoid about cleaning it. PBW soak after every batch, starsan soak after and before every batch. Boil it every 3 batches or so...... I don't like things I cannot see inside of when it comes to cleaning/sanitizing.

Now, I would DEFINITELY buy 2-3 SS buckets before I would ever buy any of the more expensive stainless conical fermenters .... Almost bought one or two of those at one point - really glad I did not now that these came out.

 

[RyanSweeney]

I use/used bottling buckets for fermenting exclusively for years...... They work great. I bought a couple SS buckets on first release for the cheaper price. I liked them and bought two more for a more expensive price a couple months later. I am happy with them. Glad I bought them. I still use bottling buckets too if I have more than 4 beers going.

Are they "worth it"???? If it is not going to "put you out" to buy them..... sure.

To me I am happy I bought them. Now, I would not spend that money on the SS buckets instead of temperature control, or other aspects of brewing if it was a choice. But, I have everything else I need, and I had some money to spend on them.

They are easier to clean, they are obviously stainless instead of plastic which is a plus. The conical bottom drops sediment out better than it seemed to just settling in a bucket. The only thing that I still worry about with the SS bucket is the ball lock spigot..... I am really paranoid about cleaning it. PBW soak after every batch, starsan soak after and before every batch. Boil it every 3 batches or so...... I don't like things I cannot see inside of when it comes to cleaning/sanitizing.

Now, I would DEFINITELY buy 2-3 SS buckets before I would ever buy any of the more expensive stainless conical fermenters .... Almost bought one or two of those at one point - really glad I did not now that these came out.

Lots of good info here. Thanks!

I am just starting to get the necessary equipment needed for all-grain brewing. I've been doing extract for a while and want to move on to more elaborate all-grain setup.

Unfortunately, I don't have any sort of fridge to use as a fermentation chamber. I just sold my old dorm fridge kegerator to make room for the vintage fridge kegerator I just converted...but that'll be holding beer to serve rather than fermenting. I'll just be fermenting in the house at room temperature for now.

 

[Braufessor]

Lots of good info here. Thanks!

I am just starting to get the necessary equipment needed for all-grain brewing. I've been doing extract for a while and want to move on to more elaborate all-grain setup.

Unfortunately, I don't have any sort of fridge to use as a fermentation chamber. I just sold my old dorm fridge kegerator to make room for the vintage fridge kegerator I just converted...but that'll be holding beer to serve rather than fermenting. I'll just be fermenting in the house at room temperature for now.

I would worry about that stuff first then. A plastic bucket in a temperature controlled setting will produce better beer (every time) than a SS bucket at random room temperature (especially if it is warm). Once you get the rest of your setup in place..... then revisit the SS bucket.

 

[RyanSweeney]

I would worry about that stuff first then. A plastic bucket in a temperature controlled setting will produce better beer (every time) than a SS bucket at random room temperature (especially if it is warm). Once you get the rest of your setup in place..... then revisit the SS bucket.

That's all I needed to hear. Thanks man!

 

[trboyden]

"Cool factor" aside, are these really worth $225 over a bucket with a spigot?

That's a "Is a Ferrari worth $200k to do 65 MPH on the highway" kind of question. If you have to ask, it's probably not for you. Once you understand/appreciate the finer details, if it's something you want, you will just buy it. Assume that statement applies to all homebrewing hardware.

If something is truly a pile of suck, you can be sure there will be near unanimous agreement on it. Otherwise, it could be good or bad depending on what you were looking for and what your personal value system is like.

 

[FastDogBrewing]

"Cool factor" aside, are these really worth $225 over a bucket with a spigot?

That is kind of a subjective question. For me yes, no doubt they are worth the price.


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[ruger988]

"Cool factor" aside, are these really worth $225 over a bucket with a spigot?

"Cool factor" aside... is homebrew worth the time/effort?

 

[Spartan1979]

The only thing that I still worry about with the SS bucket is the ball lock spigot..... I am really paranoid about cleaning it. PBW soak after every batch, starsan soak after and before every batch. Boil it every 3 batches or so...... I don't like things I cannot see inside of when it comes to cleaning/sanitizing.

I take mine apart after each batch to clean. You can see inside of it.

 

[RyanSweeney]

"Cool factor" aside... is homebrew worth the time/effort?

Maybe I'm reading more into it than I should, but your comment seems a bit condescending. I hope that wasn't intended. I only asked a question about whether I should invest in one of these. I wanted honest opinions on whether these really made a difference for the price you pay for them.

 

[Braufessor]

I take mine apart after each batch to clean. You can see inside of it.

You take the spigot itself apart? How? Thanks!!

 

[Braufessor]

I wanted honest opinions on whether these really made a difference for the price you pay for them.

I think you are good where you are at now (from your brief description earlier.) A new SS bucket does not make better beer than a new plastic bottling bucket...... but.... over time - yeah, I think it would matter. And, like I said earlier, if you can "part with" the .5 gallons or so that is in the cone at the bottom - I do like that it seems to drop everything out pretty nicely. They are not a necessity by any means....... but, they are a real nice, moderate level, luxury. Often in brewing, the "luxury" items are just off the charts expensive. I think this is a case where it is clearly a luxury item..... but within reach of many homebrewers. Take care of the key "process" items first - then come back and buy one of these babies when you have the more important things. I think most people are happy with theirs - but they won't make good beer all by themselves.

 

[RyanSweeney]

I think you are good where you are at now (from your brief description earlier.) A new SS bucket does not make better beer than a new plastic bottling bucket...... but.... over time - yeah, I think it would matter. And, like I said earlier, if you can "part with" the .5 gallons or so that is in the cone at the bottom - I do like that it seems to drop everything out pretty nicely. They are not a necessity by any means....... but, they are a real nice, moderate level, luxury. Often in brewing, the "luxury" items are just off the charts expensive. I think this is a case where it is clearly a luxury item..... but within reach of many homebrewers. Take care of the key "process" items first - then come back and buy one of these babies when you have the more important things. I think most people are happy with theirs - but they won't make good beer all by themselves.

Thanks. Money is not the issue. I mean, I can't go out and buy ALL the equipment I need all at once. Well...I could, but I'd have one very pissed off wife! I just wondered if the Brew Bucket was more hype than a valued benefit. I get what you're saying about it being a luxury item.

I do have a lot of equipment to buy to get going with all-grain and you have informed me on the bigger importance of a temperature controlled environment for fermenting, whether that's in a bucket, carboy and Brew Bucket. I'll be hitting my local craigslist for a fridge. I already have a Raspberry Pi and an Arduino I can allocate to the temperature control, so that's a plus.

 

[Spartan1979]

You take the spigot itself apart? How? Thanks!!

The barb unscrews from the body and bottom of the barb takes a wrench. It was hard to loosen the first time. I loosely put the body in a vise and then removed. Then you remove the seal. Originally I pried it out, but now I push it out from the other side using the ball (in a closed position). I haven't taken the other seal out, but I don't see any real reason to.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

"Pile of suck"...........Priceless!