Choosing A Conical Fermenter

[MaxOut]

Max capacity is 32. You have to factor your headspace based on the beer your fermenting.

 

[BierGuy]

I ferment in sankes with the top cut out and a domed lid i get 15 gallons in them and want to do 1 bbl batch in one vessel. I see that you do up a bbl brew and was wondering if you scaled the recipe back to fit the conical ?For me it is the difference of 5 cornies or 6 Thanks !

 

[MaxOut]

I brew as much as 1.5 bbl at a time and either use both conicals or a conical and the rest in buckets. Last brew I tried three types of yeast in two buckets and one conical.

 

[BierGuy]

Thanks for your input I would do the same thing maybe 25 in the conical and 10 in the sanke

 

[Boar Beer]

Blichmann
I have to say that Blichmann has a very novel and beneficial solution for the home brewer. As we all see over and over no matter what size BK,MT, conical we have, we want/need bigger. Especially for the brewer that is thinking of going pro
The Blichmann 27 gallon conical is a great starter
You can then add the top section to make it into a 42 gallon conical
And if that’s not enough you can add the middle section and get a 96 gallon conical.
NOTE: you will not find the middle extension on the web site.

The advantages of these are that you can disassemble them completely for cleaning and maintenance. Two sets of gaskets is a bit of a pain. But still we grew from 27 gallons to 42 and then to 96 without throwing out anything.

 

[Bsquared]

Where did you get that middle section? is that one of the 55 gallon kettle extenders?

 

[Boar Beer]

Bsquared
No this is not the 55 gallon BK extender.
This is a special from Blichmann. Its not on their web site yet. Works great if your interested in one send an e mail directly to Blichmann.

 

[bluelakebrewing]

Boar beer- could you give me a price break down on what it cost to make your fermenters 96 gallons? how much was the 26 g / what did it cost to increase capacity, what was the final dollar amount for the 96 gallon fermenter? it is cool how you could just add to it and never had to replace it during your upgrade

 

[MaxOut]

Very cool!, I never would have known Blichmann could be expanded to 96 gallons.

 

[Boar Beer]

Bluelakebrewing

Cant remember all the pricing going back several years
Today's price for 27 Gallon is $850
Add another $500 to go to 42 Gallons
We did add leg extensions for $200 (which we could not use with the 96)
Another $600 for the middle section to make it a 96 gallon unit

About $2000 for a 2.3 BBL fermenator.
You should figure 25% head space 96 X .75 or 72 gallons
72/31.5 = 2.3 bbl

 

[williamssvg]

Hi,

I came across your post on your Glacier tank experience while doing some research of my own.

I am looking to purchase one with the intention of using it as a uni-tank; for both primary and secondary fermentation and then directly transfer to a keg for serving.

I am really interested in using it as a pressurized fermenter, how has your experience been with this? I am hoping I won't have to do any forced carbonation. From what I have seen, people who ferment under pressure first use and air lock and then attach the pressure relief valve after. Any idea why you can't use the pressure valve from the start of fermentation and adjust as pressure in the tank changes.

Please share your sources with information on pressurized fermentation.

Thanks a lot.

 

[Bsquared]

Brewers Hardware in now making jacketed home brew size conicals too.

http://www.brewershardware.com/

 

[Boar Beer]

Hi,

I came across your post on your Glacier tank experience while doing some research of my own.

I am looking to purchase one with the intention of using it as a uni-tank; for both primary and secondary fermentation and then directly transfer to a keg for serving.

I am really interested in using it as a pressurized fermenter, how has your experience been with this? I am hoping I won't have to do any forced carbonation. From what I have seen, people who ferment under pressure first use and air lock and then attach the pressure relief valve after. Any idea why you can't use the pressure valve from the start of fermentation and adjust as pressure in the tank changes.

Please share your sources with information on pressurized fermentation.

Thanks a lot.

williamssvg
I have not used our fermenters for carbonation but i would not go with a pressure valve from the start. During the first week of active fermentation that small valve could get plugged up and then you would have huge problems. we blew the top of a 42 gallon fermentor when our air lock got plugged (should have used a blow off tube) and boy did that make a mess....
What we do is put the beer in our kegs and add some sugar and do the carbonation in the keg. Lots of stuff on the sight about how much to use ect...

 

[Dog House Brew]

williamssvg
I have not used our fermenters for carbonation but i would not go with a pressure valve from the start. During the first week of active fermentation that small valve could get plugged up and then you would have huge problems. we blew the top of a 42 gallon fermentor when our air lock got plugged (should have used a blow off tube) and boy did that make a mess....
What we do is put the beer in our kegs and add some sugar and do the carbonation in the keg. Lots of stuff on the sight about how much to use ect...

Is there a reason that you're not using a bright tank to carbonate? I kind of like the natural carbonation idea.

 

[MaxOut]

williamssvg I have not used our fermenters for carbonation but i would not go with a pressure valve from the start. During the first week of active fermentation that small valve could get plugged up and then you would have huge problems. we blew the top of a 42 gallon fermentor when our air lock got plugged (should have used a blow off tube) and boy did that make a mess.... What we do is put the beer in our kegs and add some sugar and do the carbonation in the keg. Lots of stuff on the sight about how much to use ect...

I use a pressure relief valve as emergancy only and use a blow off tube for 75% fermentation then close the valve to the blow off and let it carb up. Works perfect and never had any issues. Pressure relief valve has a1.25" inlet and should not get plugged easy.

 

[williamssvg]

Is there a reason that you're not using a bright tank to carbonate? I kind of like the natural carbonation idea.

I want to hopefully get everything done in the conical if possible. Since the Glacier conicals are rated upwards of 15PSI I figured it was to allow you to save the CO2 from fermentation to naturally carbonate the beer.

Has anyone been successful in doing this?

 

[williamssvg]

williamssvg
I have not used our fermenters for carbonation but i would not go with a pressure valve from the start. During the first week of active fermentation that small valve could get plugged up and then you would have huge problems. we blew the top of a 42 gallon fermentor when our air lock got plugged (should have used a blow off tube) and boy did that make a mess....
What we do is put the beer in our kegs and add some sugar and do the carbonation in the keg. Lots of stuff on the sight about how much to use ect...

Wondering, what would cause the relief valve to get blocked? If you leave enough head space in the fermenter I guess you should not have the problem?

 

[williamssvg]

I use a pressure relief valve as emergancy only and use a blow off tube for 75% fermentation then close the valve to the blow off and let it carb up. Works perfect and never had any issues. Pressure relief valve has a1.25" inlet and should not get plugged easy.

What is your pressure relief valve set to? I was just wondering how you are able to know how much CO2 is being produced during fermentation to make sure you end up with the right amount of CO2 in your beer at the end.

 

[fpweeks]

Brewhemoth just made my decision really easy.......
http://www.brewhemoth.com/black-friday-sale-25-1

 

[Dog House Brew]

Brewhemoth just made my decision really easy.......
http://www.brewhemoth.com/black-friday-sale-25-1

That's a deal. Wish their lid was larger, may get one anyway.

 

[MaxOut]

What is your pressure relief valve set to? I was just wondering how you are able to know how much CO2 is being produced during fermentation to make sure you end up with the right amount of CO2 in your beer at the end.

The one I use is not adjustable it is automatic pressure relief @ 15 PSI and vaccumm relief @ 1.5 PSI. I use it to pressure carbonate and it works well. I have a valve on the blow off and after primary fermentation settles down I close it replace hose with pressure gage and let it go. I can watch the gauge steady go up after a a few days and know all is good. Saves time and money and transfer carbonated beer right to kegs. I remove the gage from and attach CO2 to push beer directly into kegs. My wort/beer never touches oxegen after it leaves the oxygen injection from the boil kettle. Thats the main reason I purchased the Glacier tanks for the versitillity. I use them as fermenters and bright tanks. I usually only have one batch going at a time and have a 6" carbonation stone I can use to carbonate to desired volume if I do not get to where I like with the pressurized fermentation.

Here is a picture of the valve I use.

 

[OakPond]

My main question to you guys. I have nothing against making this amazing setup, it looks amazing and I would love to have it, but what the heck are you guys planning on doing with 30 gallons of beer? I understand it's cool and all, and I'm new to the game, but unless you're selling it legitimately on a microbrew level type company, that's just such a huge volume. I don't know what I would do with it it or how to get rid of it. I just made my first couple 5 gallon batches and my first instinct is "man, this is a blast and it tastes amazing, time to make another one!" but I have no idea what to do or how to get rid of all this beer lol.

I just don't see the sense in having the ability to make 25+ gallons in one batch useful unless you're selling it.

 

[MaxOut]

My main question to you guys. I have nothing against making this amazing setup, it looks amazing and I would love to have it, but what the heck are you guys planning on doing with 30 gallons of beer? I understand it's cool and all, and I'm new to the game, but unless you're selling it legitimately on a microbrew level type company, that's just such a huge volume. I don't know what I would do with it it or how to get rid of it. I just made my first couple 5 gallon batches and my first instinct is "man, this is a blast and it tastes amazing, time to make another one!" but I have no idea what to do or how to get rid of all this beer lol. I just don't see the sense in having the ability to make 25+ gallons in one batch useful unless you're selling it.

Sounds like you need more friends to help you drink it . The main reason I went bigger was because I brew the same few beers frequently during the Winter months and brewing big allows me to brew less often and can get through the summer.

 

[Ben58]

Sounds like you need more friends to help you drink it .

Or a wife who enjoys the beer as much as you!

 

[Dog House Brew]

Me too, I live on the way to the golf course where a bunch of my friends play. They stop to have 2 or 3 before they go play. I had to go to 15 gallon batches on the beers my friends like. Didn't have to I guess, but I for one get the larger size.
Thought about the Brewhemoth deal, the Glacier tank looks too good. Well thought out piece I must say.

 

[snackson]

I wanted to keep this a secret til I got mine . But I think this is the best thing on the market. Go to http://www.ssbrewtech.com/ and click on brew bucket. You can thank me later

Yeah, I have been on the list for a while. Thinking about a Brewhemoth instead. Have you gotten yours and used it yet?

 

[snackson]

My main question to you guys. I have nothing against making this amazing setup, it looks amazing and I would love to have it, but what the heck are you guys planning on doing with 30 gallons of beer? I understand it's cool and all, and I'm new to the game, but unless you're selling it legitimately on a microbrew level type company, that's just such a huge volume. I don't know what I would do with it it or how to get rid of it. I just made my first couple 5 gallon batches and my first instinct is "man, this is a blast and it tastes amazing, time to make another one!" but I have no idea what to do or how to get rid of all this beer lol.

I just don't see the sense in having the ability to make 25+ gallons in one batch useful unless you're selling it.

For me it's easy, busy all the time and not enough time to brew. I have two year old triplets at home and stationed on an Aircraft Carrier so my time at home is valueable and usually dedicated to family/honey-do-list or getting some rest in between 12-16 hour days. I am just getting back into it after a 2 year hiatus where I made 15 gallons total, I want to brew enough at once where it will last in between brewdays.

 

[marcb]

I want to hopefully get everything done in the conical if possible. Since the Glacier conicals are rated upwards of 15PSI I figured it was to allow you to save the CO2 from fermentation to naturally carbonate the beer. Has anyone been successful in doing this?

I do this all the time with my 60g glacier tanks.

I bought the single wall and then welded in a cooling coil in the lid. They work great and were relatively inexpensive as well as being overall really good people to do business with.

 

[bluelakebrewing]

To those with the glacier tanks carbing in the tank with a carbonation stone, how long does it take to get your desired volumes of co2 using the stone?

 

[MaxOut]

To those with the glacier tanks carbing in the tank with a carbonation stone, how long does it take to get your desired volumes of co2 using the stone?

I'll try to answer your question but there are a lot if variables to consider including, volume of beer to carbonate, temperature, gravity, and pressure of CO2 etc.. I naturally carbonate by closing the fermenter at 50-75% and let the natural CO2 produced during fermentation carbonate the beer. If it's not carbonated to the level I prefer I transfer to the other fermenter and force carbonate with a 6" stone inserted in the bottom of the fermenter with the CO2 set at 12PSI and cooled to 34 degrees. This is my process for Lagers that make up the majority of what I brew. Generally speaking it is much faster to carbonate in my Glacier fermenter with the stone in the bottom verses in corney kegs. Hope that helps..