Delta brewing systems ferm tank

[AF1HomeBrew]

We market the bottom port as a clean out port but I, and others, have successfully dumped yeast through it. The 3/4" size is going to be a limitation for heavily dry hopped beers or if the yeast cake gets overly compacted during a cold crash. The best point for dumping is when the yeast starts to settle and flocc out. I will say that it makes cleaning it out very easy, just point and spray a hose down into it.
Mike

Could the following be added from Stilldragon so that a TC valve could be attached?

 

[DBSMike]

Could the following be added from Stilldragon so that a TC valve could be attached?

Bear in mind I have not tested, but if that is 3/4" NPT thread then yes, that will work.

 

[AF1HomeBrew]

Bear in mind I have not tested, but if that is 3/4" NPT thread then yes, that will work.

Cool. I own 2 SS Brew Tech Brew buckets, an Anvil and a Spike Flex Plus. The downside to the SS Brewtech buckets is the small ball valve which is similar or exactly what your fermenter uses.

 

[DBSMike]

Cool. I own 2 SS Brew Tech Brew buckets, an Anvil and a Spike Flex Plus. The downside to the SS Brewtech buckets is the small ball valve which is similar or exactly what your fermenter uses.

Ours is similar and yep, that is a common comment. When we get enough feedback we will definitely take a look at everything and see what can be improved.

 

[OClockHomeBrew]

I’m not sure if the 3/4 would be large enough for a full turn dump for high matter beers. I can imagine that getting clogged.

I am wondering if this fermenter would be good for five gallon batches of wine or cider...

 

[DBSMike]

I’m not sure if the 3/4 would be large enough for a full turn dump for high matter beers. I can imagine that getting clogged.

I am wondering if this fermenter would be good for five gallon batches of wine or cider...

You're correct that in heavily (think your average NEIPA) loose dry hopped beers, dumping the yeast can be an issue. We advertise the bottom valve as a clean out port as saying that it is a dump port would be wrong for these specific beers. I, and many of my testers, have been successful in dumping yeast from many types of beer, pre cold crash. However, if you let the yeast cake get compacted or you have a truck load of hop matter, it is likely to clog. The same with a cold crash as this really makes things compacted.

I've made cider in it and it works great. Same deal though, if you plan to add berries or fruit after fermentation, that can clog the pipe. Haven't made wine yet but I cant see how it would be an issue.

Let me know if you have any other questions

 

[hopjunkie26]

@DBSMike thanks for popping in the forums to answer questions, it is greatly appreciated.

Question regarding the thermowell. Is this something that would accommodate a temp probe from a unit like an Inkbird ITC-308 or is there a specific type of thermometer that would be better suited for the thermowell.

 

[DBSMike]

@DBSMike thanks for popping in the forums to answer questions, it is greatly appreciated.

Question regarding the thermowell. Is this something that would accommodate a temp probe from a unit like an Inkbird ITC-308 or is there a specific type of thermometer that would be better suited for the thermowell.

Actually the thermowell is built around the Inkbird probe so it will fit perfectly. Certain other probes seem to be a hair too big for the thermowell but we are addressing this with a new thermowell. We plan to have this available in the next month or so.

 

[Rockn_M]

I received one of the fermtanks as a contest winner a few weeks ago and over the weekend I was able to get it filled. Overall the tank is a great product for the price point. This is my first experience with a conical fermenter so I don't have a lot of experience using one. There are a few things that I've had to overcome like the thermowell is just barely to small for my BrewPi temperature probe and the holes in the lid are just a tad to small for my bulk heads to do a pressurized transfer. Neither one of those issues are a big deal and @DBSMike has been great working with to get these resolved.

 

[CaseyA]

I believe Brian from ShortCircuitBrewer is currently conducting testing. He's a great follow on twitter, instagram, and/or youtube. He'll put a video out as part of the review with in-use footage. I find his reviews thorough and helpful for equipment decisions. Really looking forward to the review for this one as like many of you the price point with capabilities is very attractive.

 

[JoeyChestnutFan]

I have one of these. Their customer support is amazing. I was able to use the dump valve to collect yeast in a non dry hopped lager after it was transferred. The bottom drain also does make it very easy to clean with no lifting and dumping. Awesome all around.

 

[V-Fib]

I picked up 2 and just finished my 1st run with them. Prior to pulling the trigger I sent the company an email on a Saturday afternoon. To my surprise I received a reply from Mike with the company that evening.

I have zero experience with any other SS fermenters but I was extremely happy with how they performed. Prior to my decision to go with Delta I was looking at the SS brew bucket and dreaming of the Spike flex+. Wanting to grab 2 right of the bat the Flex+ was a 100% no go. It also would not fit in my current fridge I use as a ferm chamber. The selling point for me on the Delta line was the ability listed to pressure transfer.

The quality of the tanks looked good. I didn't notice any imperfections in the welds or the finish. Like others have said I plan on going easy on the handles when they are full. That being said I did carry them filled by the handles right off the bat from my garage to my basement. Figured I had to put them through a test while the chance at a replacement would be highest. From now on I plan to go easy on that part of them.

I did attempt to use the clean out port to dump some yeast at the end. I had roughly 5 oz of hops per fermenter (10 oz in a 10 gallon batch but uneven amounts could have went in each one). One of the 2 fermenters I was able to harvest from but it was a small mess. A hop/trub plug was being pushed out slowly but when it came loose I was not ready for the rate the yeast and remaining beer shot out. The second fermenter I couldn't get anything from. I'm sure you can find away to harvest yeast from them if you wanted to bad enough with some sterile water, tubing and a big syringe to irrigate the cleanout port.

Over all I'm happy with the tanks and would recommend them. The closed pressure kit worked great. Due to my fermenting chamber I had to use a gas port on the lower hole of the lid as a combo blow off tube than to add CO2 for the pressure transfer. Was a little worried about it at the start but it all worked out fine.

 

[tcarcieri]

Hey all,
I purchased this based on Brian's review from Short Circuit...It's fantastic conical esp at that price point. I own 2 grainfather conicals which are spectacular as well. The one caveat between Delta and GF is that the Delta has no heating option currently (though I did do what Brian did and use a heating pad). I can also say that @DBSMike is fantastic to deal with. I have it in my spare kegerator. I have emailed and also talked on the phone with him. Great guy and truly watches out for the lil guy. He called me asking if the additional Inkbird was a mistake or did I really want it.
The only other company I have had such great experience with is Clawhammer Supply. If these 2 companies got together to make a complete system, it would, no doubt, be the definitive market behemoth and I mean that it a great way!
My next purchase will be the glychol chiller from Delta...unless @DBSMike wants to lend me one to try HAHA.
Don't hesitate on this! I was going to buy another ferm from them, but they are all out!

 

[jaydlaw]

I just received mine. I ordered last week, and it was delivered today, so they are in stock and they ship fast. When i decided on this, i was looking into the Catalyst, and the anvil brew bucket. I chose because the price point was the max that I wanted to spend at the time. Looking over the fermenter, the overall quality is pretty good. I have the anvil foundry for brewing, and while it doesn't appear to be as strong, I do not see any issues with its durability. the seals hold well, and the top definitely seals well. I don't harvest yeast, so the clean out port isn't an issue for me. I'm sure that once I dump trub out, ill be able to clean an rinse the fermenter easily. overall, i would say its a very good purchase for the money, as long as you know what u are getting and not expecting to harvest yeast or trub dump. its a step up from a brew bucket, a step down from a conical fermenter that has larger openings for trub dumping and yeast harvesting, and is priced accordingly. worth the purchasing imo, especially considering the quick shipping. Although the company is American, the fermenter is made in China, if this bothers you, then you should probably look for something else.