So it looks like my new 14 gallon SS Brewtech Unitank should be here end of next week. This will be my first time using a unitank/conical for the fermentation process. I will be producing hoppy NE IPAs. This means lots of hop material in the conical. I am looking for some advise or tips from others who use conicals currently. for example:
1. When dumping trub, how do you know when to dump? I mean you can't really see inside like you can with a carboy. How do you know how much to dump? I dont want to lose to much beer but want to get as much out as possible.
2. To those who might have a unitank, when do you start carbing? Do you wait for fermentation to complete? Do you first add all dry hop additions? I will be adding 1 or 2 dry hops depending on recipe. I have heard dry hopping under pressure can be good, but if dry hopping under pressure then adding another round of dry hops, you would need to de pressurize which means all the aroma leaves the vessel which can't be good.
3. Along the same lines I would think you would need to wait until either cold crashing or end of process to carb, as I would think carbing at room temp for example then cold crashing and maybe continuing carbing might cause some issues?
Looking forward to the new process. I ordered the heating/cooling kit, but for now will be using a cooler with ice and a fish tank pump until I can afford glycol. Should be fine as now that fall/winter are approaching its usually 58-62 in the basement so will mostly need heating.
4. How is cleaning done via a CIP ball? Do you connect something up so that the water circulates? Or do you add water and let it dump out to a drain or something?
1. When dumping trub, how do you know when to dump? I mean you can't really see inside like you can with a carboy. How do you know how much to dump? I dont want to lose to much beer but want to get as much out as possible.
2. To those who might have a unitank, when do you start carbing? Do you wait for fermentation to complete? Do you first add all dry hop additions? I will be adding 1 or 2 dry hops depending on recipe. I have heard dry hopping under pressure can be good, but if dry hopping under pressure then adding another round of dry hops, you would need to de pressurize which means all the aroma leaves the vessel which can't be good.
3. Along the same lines I would think you would need to wait until either cold crashing or end of process to carb, as I would think carbing at room temp for example then cold crashing and maybe continuing carbing might cause some issues?
Looking forward to the new process. I ordered the heating/cooling kit, but for now will be using a cooler with ice and a fish tank pump until I can afford glycol. Should be fine as now that fall/winter are approaching its usually 58-62 in the basement so will mostly need heating.
4. How is cleaning done via a CIP ball? Do you connect something up so that the water circulates? Or do you add water and let it dump out to a drain or something?