Y'all really need to check out the
other thread I posted about already.
That thread has been going on almost since the Fast Ferment was announced not quite 2 years ago, and just about every issue, and resolution, has been covered, as well as features, upgrades, stands, temperature control, sampling port and more. It's a treasure trove of information.
What I'm seeing here was all addressed long ago in that thread, and it sounds like some people may have/got old units. The FF folks were very good about issues found, and changed their production techniques to address them. Mine is from the original 1000 pc pre-order group. I had to clean the 'flash' in the threads of the lid and for the valve (supposedly addressed since then), sand the top flat (also supposedly addressed) and that was it. I had leaks on the valve when I fill tested it, and a few extra wraps of GOOD teflon tape (not $ store crap) solved that. I've not leaked a drop since, and I've cleaned and re-wrapped a few times, no problem. I made my own silicon gasket after finding the foam ones were useless, and finally was able to buy the new one few months ago. I got an email directly from FF when they released them, but it took months to get them into any LHBS near me. They wanted an absurd amount to ship directly. I responded back that they should have sent them out for free cause the original ones were useless. They did not reply to that however.
The seal on the top is a non-issue. If you have the NEW silicon gasket, problem solved. I found a supplier still shipping the foam crap, and when I brought it to their attention, they readily agreed they messed up by shipping the old ones - "You are correct, these gaskets stink". They are only $2.50 retail, and available at many LHBS now.
Are they cranking out inferior ones now? Based on that other thread, I doubt it. It's a very active thread, and I'm sure someone would have weighed in on that, as many are new buyers.
The amount of dissatisfaction here is quite contrary to that. I am very happy with the performance of mine.
I don't harvest used yeast from the ball, as I only bank yeast from clean starters, but the ability to remove the yeast and trub is the real value for me. I have a sampling port, heated wrap, SS thermowell (brewhardware.com rocks!) and soon to have an internal chiller coil (now that you can buy extra lids to drill out).
I won't ever lager in it, but once the chiller is done I can ferment lagers in it, if I want to. Generally I only use it for quick turnaround brews, and wine kits.