Catalyst Fermentor Kickstarter

[8rnw8]

Nice video. Excited to see the conclusion!

 

[DurtyChemist]

Ordered one up from Northern Brewer for a Christmas gift for my step father. Excited to see him use it too.

 

[StoutNoDoubt]

I'm definitely going to buy a second one. I hope they add a sample port somehow so gravity is more easily measured.

 

[8rnw8]

I'm definitely going to buy a second one. I hope they add a sample port somehow so gravity is more easily measured.

Apparently not hard to do with a step bit. I've just been checking OG, leaving it for 10 days, and checking FG when I bottle.

 

[M0KCE]

I should think you could buy the sampling port kit for the fastferment and install that. Even comes with the step bit. AIH has them. $15. http://www.homebrewing.org/FastFerment-Sampling-Port_p_6100.html

 

[52hurtz]

How are you guys priming for bottling? Is transferring the priming solution from the mason jar through the valve enough to mix thoroughly?

 

[DrFun]

How are you guys priming for bottling? Is transferring the priming solution from the mason jar through the valve enough to mix thoroughly?

There was a video posted with a dye solution and it did not mix as well as one would hope. I've been debating a gentle stirring or carb-tabs/sugar-cubes/simple-syrup per bottle. I am about two weeks from bottling, so I've got some time to decide.

EDIT: here it is, Craft A Brew posted it many pages back: [ame]https://vimeo.com/189173144[/ame]

 

[8rnw8]

There was a video posted with a dye solution and it did not mix as well as one would hope. I've been debating a gentle stirring or carb-tabs/sugar-cubes/simple-syrup per bottle. I am about two weeks from bottling, so I've got some time to decide.

EDIT: here it is, Craft A Brew posted it many pages back: https://vimeo.com/189173144

How are you guys priming for bottling? Is transferring the priming solution from the mason jar through the valve enough to mix thoroughly?

I added the priming sugar and SUPER GENTLY mixed it in with a sanitized spoon. Had great carbonation, and actually one of the best IPA's I've ever made as far as aroma and no loss of hops, so seems like a way better deal than going to bottling bucket.

 

[Jettison]

I added the priming sugar and SUPER GENTLY mixed it in with a sanitized spoon. Had great carbonation, and actually one of the best IPA's I've ever made as far as aroma and no loss of hops, so seems like a way better deal than going to bottling bucket.

Second this. Dumped my dextrose solution into the Catalyst and gently stirred through with sanitised spoon.

Just a tip to limit the amount of oxygen introduced when bottling. I left the hose clamp open when opening the Catalyst valve so that the path of least resistance for any air is out the tubing, and not through the fermenter.

Once you have beer flowing out of the tube, shut your clamp and bottle away!

 

[8rnw8]

Second this. Dumped my dextrose solution into the Catalyst and gently stirred through with sanitised spoon.



Just a tip to limit the amount of oxygen introduced when bottling. I left the hose clamp open when opening the Catalyst valve so that the path of least resistance for any air is out the tubing, and not through the fermenter.



Once you have beer flowing out of the tube, shut your clamp and bottle away!

Pretty great tip!

 

[8rnw8]

Has anyone used the big mouth bubbler with sample valve similarly (no need for bottling bucket)? I'd be curious to see a comparison. Obviously major pluses for the catalyst, but big mouth bubbler with attached sample valve could have some (not all) similar advantages for cheap.

 

[DrFun]

I added the priming sugar and SUPER GENTLY mixed it in with a sanitized spoon. Had great carbonation, and actually one of the best IPA's I've ever made as far as aroma and no loss of hops, so seems like a way better deal than going to bottling bucket.

Excellent. I'll give the gentle stir a go.

 

[M0KCE]

Put my first batch in the Catalyst tonight. Spent more time battling with the lid gasket than anything else. Other than that things went well. I'll know more in a day or two.

 

[8rnw8]

Put my first batch in the Catalyst tonight. Spent more time battling with the lid gasket than anything else. Other than that things went well. I'll know more in a day or two.

Eh, lid gasket is shesity, but fine. Report back. I'm super thrilled thus far.

 

[20grit]

Has anyone used the big mouth bubbler with sample valve similarly (no need for bottling bucket)? I'd be curious to see a comparison. Obviously major pluses for the catalyst, but big mouth bubbler with attached sample valve could have some (not all) similar advantages for cheap.

I use a siphonless BMB as my bottling bucket. Does that count?

 

[M0KCE]

Eh, lid gasket is shesity, but fine. Report back. I'm super thrilled thus far.

So far I'm happy. Came home from work today and checked on it and the airlock is bubbling and there is a layer of krausen on top. Looks like I'll be drinking an Irish red for New years.

 

[8rnw8]

So far I'm happy. Came home from work today and checked on it and the airlock is bubbling and there is a layer of krausen on top. Looks like I'll be drinking an Irish red for New years.

[emoji106]🏻[emoji487][emoji481][emoji482]

 

[VinceFrance]

Do you guys know any supplier in Europe (UK or France)?

Shipping costs are over 80 dollars via Craft a Brew.... Thanks by advance

Hy guys, any info on this? Christmas is coming! Thanks

 

[sjbraun]

This is my first batch of beer. Brew day was two weeks ago, primary fermentation stopped about 5 days ago. Is this ready to add sugar and bottle? I've emptied the trub jar twice. As you can see there is still stuff in the mason jar, but there are still proteins floating on the top of the wort and a fair amount of yeast (?) sticking to the sides of the catalyst. Should I wait longer for this stuff to move to the mason jar or proceed to bottle, knowing that I may lose some beer as the crud washes out of the fermenter?

Thanks

 

[8rnw8]

Looks like you should be fine, but of course, the only way to really know is by taking hydrometer samples to ensure the gravity isn't still dropping.

I say this because if I don't, someone else will, but for the most part (assuming it's a beer that doesn't need to age), I bottle 10-11 days after pitching yeast, and could even go less if I wasn't waiting for dry hop additions.

 

[StoutNoDoubt]

This is my first batch of beer. Brew day was two weeks ago, primary fermentation stopped about 5 days ago. Is this ready to add sugar and bottle? I've emptied the trub jar twice. As you can see there is still stuff in the mason jar, but there are still proteins floating on the top of the wort and a fair amount of yeast (?) sticking to the sides of the catalyst. Should I wait longer for this stuff to move to the mason jar or proceed to bottle, knowing that I may lose some beer as the crud washes out of the fermenter?

Thanks

I am posting my bottling video today on this fermenter. You don't want to bottle to the last drop with this as you will suck some debris into the bottle. I'd leave the leftover few oz once you get down to the very bottom come portion. Overall it was a good bottling day.

Www.youtube.com/c/thebrew-q

 

[Redlantern]

I watched the video. Obviously a bit of good process control and you will bottle nice, clear beer.

An observation - the bottling wand. Seems that if there was a holder built into the base to hang the wand between bottles that would be ideal. Something like one of those cam-lock mop holders to hang mops on the wall (only smaller) would be perfect. A notch built into the base with rubber grabbers would be great as well. Either idea would keep the wand out of the way while changing bottles.

 

[Heffer14]

Hi all,
I just bottled the hefe with the catalyst and had a problem with the bottling attachment leaking from the valve. I tried reattaching and screwing it on differently multiple times but to no avail. I have attached an image showing this leak. Wondering if anyone else have this problem?

 

[RoGuE_HAHG]

My initial test with water had some leak, though not as much. Check the gasket in the valve and the lip of the bottling attachment (maybe chipped)?

Hi all,
I just bottled the hefe with the catalyst and had a problem with the bottling attachment leaking from the valve. I tried reattaching and screwing it on differently multiple times but to no avail. I have attached an image showing this leak. Wondering if anyone else have this problem?

 

[8rnw8]

Interesting. I wonder if you over tightened? I didn't see a drop leak from anywhere.

 

[RoGuE_HAHG]

Actually, I under-tightened and generally was overly gentle with it.
Total user error. No problems at all with my first batch on it

 

[Heffer14]

Craft a brew responded to my picture and video I sent. The problem was on my side aka user error. Seems I attached the valve upside down :smack: so the bottling attachment didn't fit like it should. Will make sure to put the valve on correctly for this next batch. Thanks for all your responses and post. Can't wait to hear how all your home brews turn out and any mods you have in the works. I like the idea of a filter to keep trub out of the bottling process. Cheers

 

[Jettison]

Craft a brew responded to my picture and video I sent. The problem was on my side aka user error. Seems I attached the valve upside down :smack: so the bottling attachment didn't fit like it should. Will make sure to put the valve on correctly for this next batch. Thanks for all your responses and post. Can't wait to hear how all your home brews turn out and any mods you have in the works. I like the idea of a filter to keep trub out of the bottling process. Cheers

Is that true? I thought if the valve was on upside-down, you wouldn't have the clearance to open the valve (handle would foul on the fermenter)?

 

[Artifishal]

Craft a brew responded to my picture and video I sent. The problem was on my side aka user error. Seems I attached the valve upside down :smack: so the bottling attachment didn't fit like it should. Will make sure to put the valve on correctly for this next batch. Thanks for all your responses and post. Can't wait to hear how all your home brews turn out and any mods you have in the works. I like the idea of a filter to keep trub out of the bottling process. Cheers

I have not used my Catalyst yet, but dying to. I love being able to see all your photos and info, so thank you all.

I am experienced in using conicals and know that trub sliding down the sides can be an issue, so I think this little inline filter might be a great fix. They have a bigger one too.

https://www.amazon.com/Bouncer-inli...in-20&linkId=3de62a43cd95a1ec6d14bcdda59bada2

 

[M0KCE]

I am experienced in using conicals and know that trub sliding down the sides can be an issue, so I think this little inline filter might be a great fix. They have a bigger one too.

https://www.amazon.com/Bouncer-inli...in-20&linkId=3de62a43cd95a1ec6d14bcdda59bada2

Ordered. Wish I would have had the self control to wait for the larger one. Guess I'll just eventually end up with both.