conical fermenters

[freddyb]

Droot, thanks for sharing your experience. As I haven't used my conical yet (still be being built), I guess you could say that I'm talking out of my ass, but here's how I see it...

Since you chilled the wort in the fermenter, you could dump the cold break/trub out of the bottom before you pitch your yeast, but many people ferment on the trub without any problems. After you pitch, wait a few days and dump the solids (sleepy yeast and remaining trub) and then perform your washing steps. Wait a few more days and do another dump. Then a few more for a 3rd dump, saving the yeast as you desire. Then you should be good to let it age in the conical in a nice, clean environment. To me, that seems like one of the main benefits of a conical. If you had to open it up and skim it, you might as well use a bucket instead.

Since the 1056 yeast you're using is low-medium in flocculation, it might take a bit longer to settle to the bottom of the cone...not sure.

Experts (or someone with actual experience ) feel free to chime in.

 

[Droot]

Well, I got almost nothing from the top. and some from the bottom. Its gassing like crazy right now, so its just working hard in solution.

I think I won, I got this from the bottom.



I am going to let it settle then take the yeast off the bottom and put it in a jar with boiled and cooled water. Star San IS OUT in full force.

This is my first ever harvested yeast. I had 4 jars ready....

I have one quart of canned wort, then first one of those too.

David . . . Yeast Rancher....

Edit, I took the trub off the top and bottom of the fermenter yesterday, so its gotta be all yeast.

More edit: Next time I'll put the jar right under the valve. Its 8 oz.

 

[Julohan]

Are conicals any good for adding stuff to it, like you would use for a secondary?

 

[Sawdustguy]

Are conicals any good for adding stuff to it, like you would use for a secondary?

Why Not? It doesn't seem to be a problem.

 

[Droot]

Are conicals any good for adding stuff to it, like you would use for a secondary?

Once you remove the trub and yeast from the bottom, your primary is now a secondary. No moving the beer.

If I had more than one of these.......

David

 

[Scut_Monkey]

Does anyone know if he is still selling these? I have checked his listing and see that he is not currently selling anything at all. I'll try to contact him to find out and I'll let everyone know if he responds.

 

[Droot]

I am thinking about another one. I Emailed him about a week ago. More will be available in early sept. Send him a message from Ebone.

I still brew 11 gallon batches, so I guess I need another one.

David

 

[Scut_Monkey]

I did send him a message today to see what the dealio is. Haven't heard back yet but I'll forward any info I get.

 

[RichBenn]

I did send him a message today to see what the dealio is. Haven't heard back yet but I'll forward any info I get.

My guess is all the demand generated from this thread cleaned him out.

 

[Droot]

I called the first one!

 

[Sawdustguy]

I don't think they are available just yet. I read in another thread that they should be available soon.

Posted on 7/31

Wait a little bit...we will be selling conicals for at least $100 less than Blichmann's products.
Matt

 

[Scut_Monkey]

I don't think they are available just yet. I read in another thread that they should be available soon.

Posted on 7/31

I think you are talking about a different conical. These are the conicals sold by homebrewhousediscount on ebay. I believe you are discussing a chinese manufactured conical similar to these but slightly more expensive that Chi.com is looking to sell. Is this correct?

 

[Scut_Monkey]

To those of you that have used this conical. Are you able to transfer under pressure using CO2? I realize the build quality on these is not like other conicals but I was wondering if the top seal is well enough that it can hold the pressure for transferring.

 

[Droot]

I have no need to transfer with pressure. I just pick it up by the handles and set it on the counter or a chair. The lid seals for me.

I guess you could..... No pressure relief, so once it reaches its limit something has to go... Hopefully the lid gasket.

David

 

[Sawdustguy]

I think you are talking about a different conical. These are the conicals sold by homebrewhousediscount on ebay. I believe you are discussing a chinese manufactured conical similar to these but slightly more expensive that Chi.com is looking to sell. Is this correct?

Sorry about that. BTW, I did buy two of those fermenters off ebay. I guess I was lucky because the internal welds weren't too bad. I do not transfer under pressure.

 

[Scut_Monkey]

Sorry about that. BTW, I did buy two of those fermenters off ebay. I guess I was lucky because the internal welds weren't too bad. I do not transfer under pressure.

Are you happy with those fermenters? I can't understand why you can't fill those tiny holes from a bad weld with pipe grade (lead free) solder. Would that not work?

 

[Sawdustguy]

Are you happy with those fermenters? I can't understand why you can't fill those tiny holes from a bad weld with pipe grade (lead free) solder. Would that not work?

Silver Soldering would work just fine.

 

[Ewalk02]

To those of you that have used this conical. Are you able to transfer under pressure using CO2? I realize the build quality on these is not like other conicals but I was wondering if the top seal is well enough that it can hold the pressure for transferring.

There is NO way you would be able to transfer under pressure, the seal at the lid is just not that great. For example I was able to break the seal with the amount of pressure I could generate by blowing into the fermenter. The lid seals great under 0 pressure but when there's positive pressure you're up a creek.

 

[InYerMouth]

No transferring under pressure, but the welds were fine, just had to put thread tape and tighten the thermomoeter to fix a very small subtle leak....used it for EdWorts Beecave Hefeweizen and was able to salvage a great amount of yeast for later use.....I love it!!!! (and it looks cool next to my glass carboys and plastic buckets) lol