FastFerment conical fermenter??????

[TorMag]

I highly recommend getting a set of strap wrenches if you have a FastFerment, comes in very handy and you don't have to use a hammer..

http://amzn.to/2wRDhux

 

[ElmCityWobblyPops]

Haven't needed the hammer since I doubled up the flat silicon with the craft foam

 

[wishingiwasfishing]

can't find how to delete post, duplicate

 

[wishingiwasfishing]

From the beginning my FastFerment sealed well. I'm still not crazy about them...but I'll take the FastFerment over a bucket or glass carboy on most occasions.

Below is a picture of a transfer with the FastFerment and a purged keg

 

[kproudfoot]

Following

 

[mbg]

How have the members here dealt with the issue of the lid gaskets not staying in place, and occasionally falling into the beer. I sanitize the gaskets so it's not a contamination problem, but the lids don't seal very well. I have tried the original flat, the flat silicone, and now the round gaskets, and none of them are reliable.

I too couldn't believe it when I had a silicon o-ring end up in my fermenter. I now lube it with keg lube and seem to prevent this.

 

[kproudfoot]

From the beginning my FastFerment sealed well. I'm still not crazy about them...but I'll take the FastFerment over a bucket or glass carboy on most occasions.

Below is a picture of a transfer with the FastFerment and a purged keg

Curious what the purpose of the sample value at the top is and can you post a closer picture of the connection near the keg? Do you have issues with leaks going from one size hose to another?

 

[wishingiwasfishing]

Curious what the purpose of the sample value at the top is and can you post a closer picture of the connection near the keg? Do you have issues with leaks going from one size hose to another?

In the picture I have 9lbs of peaches in the fermenter, so the level is much higher than normal brew sessions. I put the top valve in to purge the headspace with co2, depending on what I may be doing.

The connection close to the keg is just a regular beer line, then silicone tubing going over the top secured with a hose clamp. It's really not anything pretty...but it's what I have on hand and works...with no leaks.

 

[kproudfoot]

In the picture I have 9lbs of peaches in the fermenter, so the level is much higher than normal brew sessions. I put the top valve in to purge the headspace with co2, depending on what I may be doing.



The connection close to the keg is just a regular beer line, then silicone tubing going over the top secured with a hose clamp. It's really not anything pretty...but it's what I have on hand and works...with no leaks.

Ok thanks

 

[Volare]

What is the smaller fridge someone has managed to get one of the standard size FFs into? I saw a post one time with a small fridge but don't know that I'll find it again...

 

[Chris W]

Looking for help on a FF 14g leaking problem.

I have not had the same leaking issues that many of you have suffered. The lid is just fine and no leaking from the thermowell.

However, the connection between the conical and the ball valve leaks. Yes, of course I have it wrapped 10x with teflon tape. I have tightened it to the point where I feel any more would result in stripping of the threads. I reached out to FastFerment and they were great. They replaced the original but the replacement leaks as well. Possibly the problem is the valve. But that seems unlikely.

The leak is very slow...kind of an oozing or seeping. The wort will eventually become thick here and stop it. But, when testing with water, or when cleaning after a batch, it will just leak and leak. Not good!

Any ideas?

 

[Dade0]

Replace the ball valve.

 

[kproudfoot]

I suspect the issue isn’t the ball value. If you don’t have the collection ball attached is there still a leak?

 

[Chris W]

I suspect the issue isn’t the ball value. If you don’t have the collection ball attached is there still a leak?

Yes, there is still a leak. I can see the area where the ball valve meets the fermenter slowly fill with water until is starts to drip to the floor.

 

[kh54s10]

Yes, there is still a leak. I can see the area where the ball valve meets the fermenter slowly fill with water until is starts to drip to the floor.

You have already replaced the fermenter. You have wrapped the threads with teflon tape. I assume it is coming through the threads of the fermenter and valve. So maybe the threads on the valve are defective, though I would think the teflon tape would have fixed that. Is there a flat on the back side of the valve. If so an o-ring might seal it. If not, no flat or the o-ring doesn't stop the leak, I would replace the valve next.

 

[kproudfoot]

I suspect the issue isn’t the ball value. If you don’t have the collection ball attached is there still a leak?

 

[kproudfoot]

Is the leak above the gray part or coming out from below? Sorry I am confused where the leak is.

 

[Fast_Rack]

@Chris W
If you notice any leaking between the valve and the vessel, we have noted after testing that this issue is caused when the valve is only screwed up to or close to the collar. This isn't enough to create a seal. You must use ~10 wraps of Teflon Tape around the threads and
also up over the little collar and then screw the valve on, up over the collar. The first time takes a little effort to break it in and after that, it is easier.

Also FAQ #41 below is helpful for tightening the inner core of the valve:

http://www.fastbrewing.com/products/fastferment/frequently-asked-questions

Cheers,

Mitchell

 

[Chris W]

Is the leak above the gray part or coming out from below? Sorry I am confused where the leak is.

It leaks at the junction of the conical and the grey valve

 

[Chris W]

@Chris W
If you notice any leaking between the valve and the vessel, we have noted after testing that this issue is caused when the valve is only screwed up to or close to the collar. This isn't enough to create a seal. You must use ~10 wraps of Teflon Tape around the threads and
also up over the little collar and then screw the valve on, up over the collar. The first time takes a little effort to break it in and after that, it is easier.

Also FAQ #41 below is helpful for tightening the inner core of the valve:

http://www.fastbrewing.com/products/fastferment/frequently-asked-questions

Cheers,

Mitchell

Mitchell, thanks for the advice. I will re-tape and screw in further. So, if I understand you correctly, I should make sure the tape goes a little over the top edge of the threads? I have been worried about stripping the threads on the conical but will tighten further than I have previously.

The valve itself does not leak, but thanks for the FAQ nonetheless.

 

[kproudfoot]

It leaks at the junction of the conical and the grey valve

I had the same problem at 1st. Mine wasn’t threading right. You have to wrap with tape like 10 times. Attach valve and make sure it goes one squarely then leak test. If it least remove collar and more wraps of tape and keep repeating. I think I got frustrated and put too much tape on which caused it not to thread properly. Once I actually screwed on slowly and kept repeating it went on right. My guesses when you’re screwing on it’s not running properly in allowing water to slip out. If that all makes sense.

 

[Dade0]

How have the members here dealt with the issue of the lid gaskets not staying in place, and occasionally falling into the beer. I sanitize the gaskets so it's not a contamination problem, but the lids don't seal very well. I have tried the original flat, the flat silicone, and now the round gaskets, and none of them are reliable.

I insert the flat silicone first then the original flat to hold the flat silicone in place. It works good. I get a seal and nothing falls in. I have the round ones but have yet to need them.

 

[Dade0]

Mitchell, thanks for the advice. I will re-tape and screw in further. So, if I understand you correctly, I should make sure the tape goes a little over the top edge of the threads? I have been worried about stripping the threads on the conical but will tighten further than I have previously.

The valve itself does not leak, but thanks for the FAQ nonetheless.

10 wraps of teflon? What is the QA tolerance 2 mm? Maybe time to invest in new/better molds.

 

[kproudfoot]

10 wraps of teflon? What is the QA tolerance 2 mm? Maybe time to invest in new/better molds.

I was more than that it seemed like.

 

[Dade0]

10 wraps of teflon? What is the QA tolerance 2 mm? Maybe time to invest in new/better molds.

Wait that is the new 14 gallon right? Maybe the weight/pressure of the liquid is to much for the gap.

 

[kproudfoot]

Wait that is the new 14 gallon right? Maybe the weight/pressure of the liquid is to much for the gap.

It takes sometime and a little patience but once you get it sealed it’s a great economical fermentor.

 

[kaffeenjunkie]

10 wraps of teflon? What is the QA tolerance 2 mm? Maybe time to invest in new/better molds.

I have taken my ball valve off, cleaned and put back in place many times. 10 wraps seems excessive and may prevent you from getting the ball valve seated properly.

 

[kproudfoot]

I have taken my ball valve off, cleaned and put back in place many times. 10 wraps seems excessive and may prevent you from getting the ball valve seated properly.

Start with 4-5 and put collar on. Then unscrew it and add more tape before reattaching. (Do not remove the tape) Repeat this process until there are no leaks. Like I said it took me a while but finally it sealed great. At first my collar was going on at a weird angle and wasn’t sealing properly. Once I figured this out I was good.

I will say that this is the worst part of the fermentor.

 

[kproudfoot]

I have taken my ball valve off, cleaned and put back in place many times. 10 wraps seems excessive and may prevent you from getting the ball valve seated properly.

The key is not cleaning if the old tape. Just more wraps of tape. I read this somewhere and it worked. Before that I kept removing tape and starting over.

 

[kh54s10]

This sounds like a design flaw to me. It should not be nearly that hard to seal up a connection.