Choosing A Conical Fermenter

[Beer_Maker]

And plastic Fermenters... waste of money?

Why do you say that? While not in cylidro-conicals I've fermented in plastic for years. Is there something specific to plastic conicals that makes you say that?

 

[patthebrewer]

I bought the 7.3 with triclamps and thermowell. I love it! Had it for two years now.....my only complaint is I should have bought a larger size. Thats also my recommendation Buy larger than you think you'll use, because it doesn't cost that much more for a larger size. I looking at either two 27 gallon, or 40 gallon...hmmm...

 

[MaxOut]

Why do you say that? While not in cylidro-conicals I've fermented in plastic for years. Is there something specific to plastic conicals that makes you say that?

I've used and still use plastic buckets and never had any problems. With larger plastic conicals they have more crevices for stuff to hide in the threaded connections so the risk of infection is higher. Care when cleaning is the key to plastic making sure you do not scratch them or miss cleaning the crevices. Total disassembly of the valves and connectors are recommended and why many choose stainless with tri-clamps as you can use caustic cleaners and CIP effectively. Allot of my choices were based on simplifying my processes and amount of work required to keep everything clean.

 

[MaxOut]

I bought the 7.3 with triclamps and thermowell. I love it! Had it for two years now.....my only complaint is I should have bought a larger size. Thats also my recommendation Buy larger than you think you'll use, because it doesn't cost that much more for a larger size. I looking at either two 27 gallon, or 40 gallon...hmmm...

Good advice! You can still do small batches in a larger fermenter without ill effects.

 

[BierGuy]

Maxout may I ask you to give us hard measurements on the conical I have a True double door cooler and it is 23 1/2" wide at the door 25" deep .I'm in the market for a large conical for 1bbl batches as well .I have a boil kettle from Glacier and it is top quality Thanks

 

[br1dge]

Maxout may I ask you to give us hard measurements on the conical I have a True double door cooler and it is 23 1/2" wide at the door 25" deep .I'm in the market for a large conical for 1bbl batches as well .I have a boil kettle from Glacier and it is top quality Thanks

How much vertical space do you have?

 

[BierGuy]

I have 52" at the door opening and 56" inside it is a True gdm 49 opening two door

 

[br1dge]

6" more and you could put a stout 42g in there with blow off. I can't tell from my phone, but I think a Blichmann 42g might fit

 

[MaxOut]

Maxout may I ask you to give us hard measurements on the conical I have a True double door cooler and it is 23 1/2" wide at the door 25" deep .I'm in the market for a large conical for 1bbl batches as well .I have a boil kettle from Glacier and it is top quality Thanks

The actual assembled fermenter dimensions are 21" W X 25" D X 52" H

All dimensions rounded up to nearest inch.

The height is to the top of the handles on the lid. My blow off assembly is another 8" higher but you could put a 90 degree fitting right off the lid to keep a lower profile. The feet are adjustable and could be removed all together gaining another 2" overhead clearance. Keep in mind you will need to access the top to pitch the yeast. The depth includes the thermometer installed and front racking assembly to the end of valve.

 

[MaxOut]

Glacier Tanks are having new lids made for me to my specifications with a 4" tri-clamp ferrule in the center and a 1.5" tri-clamp ferrule offset. The 1.5" opening will be used for blow assembly etc. and 4" opening will be used for pitching yeast, dry hopping, inspection, and to add an immersion chiller. You could have the tanks modified to your specs if needed.

 

[andrhamm]

Glacier Tanks are having new lids made for me to my specifications with a 4" tri-clamp ferrule in the center and a 1.5" tri-clamp ferrule offset. The 1.5" opening will be used for blow assembly etc. and 4" opening will be used for pitching yeast, dry hopping, inspection, and to add an immersion chiller. You could have the tanks modified to your specs if needed.

That's nice, it's too bad that's not standard. I believe it is on the Blichmann

 

[MaxOut]

Blichmann has an opening similar to a soda keg and Brehemoth has a 3-4" Tri clamp. I could make due with the 1 1/2" opening but I plan to add a chiller to the conicals and a larger hole will make it removable without removing the blow off assembly. Many people use a concentric reducer if the are pitching yeast or hops. I could remove the entire 12" Tri clamp lid but I rather just have the alternate opening for what it cost. More personal preference.

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Home Brew Talk Links -

Super Simple 15G Plastic Conical

Brewhemoth Conicals?

DIY Conical Fermenter - (Stainless Steel)

MoreBeer 14 Gallon Conical Fermenter and Yeast Harvester Review

(Future Use)

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/15-gallon-fermenter-table-build-223291/
Also contains info on conicals.

 

[Quaker]

I've been meaning to follow-up on my recent purchase. Due to this group buy thread- shut down, since it violates forum policies - I ended up taking advantage of my location in China and purchasing one. The manufacturer is the Chinese supplier to Glacier, but my fermenter is quite a bit different. I started with a simpler 50L design of theirs which from memory was about 3500 RMB (~$550). Dealing locally direct with them and paying cash, I avoided VAT ,freight, and duty. I then proceeded to customize it by extending the legs to a height perfect for racking into a corny, adding casters, a thermowell, and an internal coiling coil. The intention of the coil is not for initial chilling of the wort, as it would be horribly inefficient for that. The aim is to connect it with a pump to recirculate chilled water through it for controlling fermentation temps without the use of a dedicated fridge. All my mods ran the price tag up to 4200 RMB (~$665) I took delivery in January, but at the same time learned I'll be returning to the US a year earlier than planned. So no more brewing here, and I won't get to test it until later in the summer after I'm home. Visually I'm extremely happy with it. Unfortunately this is of little use to anyone else, since the supplier doesn't have interest in one-off units. But I thought the coil set-up may be of interest to others.

My plan is to boil directly in the conical fermenter using a heat stick. Then pump out the racking port and through a counterflow chiller. I'll add a port somewhere higher up the side for a whirlpool inlet. Previously I've been fermenting in my kettle with good success. By moving to the conical, I'll have the ability to drop the trub before pitching. I'll have to report back later on how that works out.

View attachment 121113 50L-Model.pdf

 

[DHdriver]

Looks like a nice setup, I'd be interested to hear about fermenting in your kettle. I had similar idea of a heatstick in a conical after biab, then gravity feed into a keg, seems like I'm getting lazy.
With that coil in there you could probably rig up some type of steam boiler to heat it.

 

[MaxOut]

Here are my conicals in their automated chambers.

 

[runbad]

Here are my conicals in their automated chambers.

Sexy

 

[TerraNova]

Here are my conicals in their automated chambers.

You have probably covered this in another thread but how do you fill those beauts. They look too heavy to fill then place so I am guessing a pump is involved?

 

[MaxOut]

You have probably covered this in another thread but how do you dill those beauts. The look to heavy to fill then place so I am guessing a pump is involved?

After boil I pump hot wort through a plate chiller, O2 injection and straight into the racking port of the fermenter. (see below) I built a cart that has a filter, Chugger pump, plate chiller and O2 injection. I use this cart to handle the final transfer in one swoop to the fermenter. Im working on a yeast brink that I will use to incubate yeast and use O2 to push it into the stream of cooled oxygenated wort inline heading to fermenter. The chambers are on wheels and the connections unplug from behind so I can roll the chamber closer to my boil kettle. The fermenters stay in the chambers and are cleaned in place with a spray ball.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

Nice thread Maxout! Got this one bookmarked in case I ever decide to take the conical plunge. For now though, I'll have to slink away before I become insanely jealous

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Home Brew Talk Links -

Super Simple 15G Plastic Conical

Brewhemoth Conicals?

DIY Conical Fermenter - (Stainless Steel)

MoreBeer 14 Gallon Conical Fermenter and Yeast Harvester Review

(Future Use)

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/15-gallon-fermenter-table-build-223291/#post2618651

 

[TerraNova]

After boil I pump hot wort through a plate chiller, O2 injection and straight into the racking port of the fermenter. (see below) I built a cart that has a filter, Chugger pump, plate chiller and O2 injection. I use this cart to handle the final transfer in one swoop to the fermenter. Im working on a yeast brink that I will use to incubate yeast and use O2 to push it into the stream of cooled oxygenated wort inline heading to fermenter. The chambers are on wheels and the connections unplug from behind so I can roll the chamber closer to my boil kettle. The fermenters stay in the chambers and are cleaned in place with a spray ball.

Stealing part of this for my setup. Thanks for the idea. Your setup is ....words fail me.

 

[bela]

I went down to Glacier last week and pickd up there last in stock 18.75 gallon conical complete with triclamps on sale for 995.00. Now I need to figure out all the neat fittings for it. I'm good for now on temp controls, seeing its snowing right now. By summer I'll get some kind of cooler.

 

[MaxOut]

I went down to Glacier last week and pickd up there last in stock 18.75 gallon conical complete with triclamps on sale for 995.00. Now I need to figure out all the neat fittings for it. I'm good for now on temp controls, seeing its snowing right now. By summer I'll get some kind of cooler.

I wish I was close to Glacier Tanks they have allot of cool brew stuff. Would have saved me a bunch on shipping too.

 

[bluelakebrewing]

Great thread. Glacier is not to far from me and i have been endlessly thinking about how to incorporate conicals into my brewhouse, financially and pyshically.

Id be curious to hear from others, specifically those with larger sized (1-3bbl) Stout tanks and how they like them. Are there advantages of top vs side portals?

Maxout- you seem to have some nice toys in your brewhouse, im quite impressed. Do you have any other pics of your nice stuff? Im always looking for new ways to upgrade my system as it grows in size.

 

[MaxOut]

Great thread. Glacier is not to far from me and i have been endlessly thinking about how to incorporate conicals into my brewhouse, financially and pyshically.

Id be curious to hear from others, specifically those with larger sized (1-3bbl) Stout tanks and how they like them. Are there advantages of top vs side portals?

Maxout- you seem to have some nice toys in your brewhouse, im quite impressed. Do you have any other pics of your nice stuff? Im always looking for new ways to upgrade my system as it grows in size.

You can see my entire brewery - MaxOut Brewstation

 

[MaxOut]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/15-gallon-fermenter-table-build-223291/#post2618651

Added to the main page Thanks!!

 

[MaxOut]

I went down to Glacier last week and pickd up there last in stock 18.75 gallon conical complete with triclamps on sale for 995.00. Now I need to figure out all the neat fittings for it. I'm good for now on temp controls, seeing its snowing right now. By summer I'll get some kind of cooler.

Post pictures! and your set up!

 

[MaxOut]

Stealing part of this for my setup. Thanks for the idea. Your setup is ....words fail me.

You can get more details on the brew cart HERE

 

[BierGuy]

Are you getting 30 gal in those?