Fermzilla 3.2 in minifridge- modify stand for more clearance?

[Gritsak]

Looking at the 7.1g Fermzilla 3.2, but the overall height with stand is pretty much exactly the height of the opening in the mini fridge i use to ferment. I noticed the stand is made to a height that allows the collection container to be in place. Wondering if anyone has modified the stand or come up with something different so you can squeeze the fermzilla in smaller space by not having the collection container attached, thus, allowing the bottom of the fermenter to be closer to the floor. If i need to utilize the collection container or anything else that would require more room, i could just pick up the fermenter and put it back on an unmodified stand and do it outside of the mini fridge.

Thoughts?

https://www.morebeer.com/products/f...mJsieoXbCWmUaE1dUXk9TQutoaCDVJtRoCtDoQAvD_BwE

 

[djonesax]

I have the 55L and the same issue with space but I can make it work if I buy some quick connects with 90 degree ports. I have a compressor hump and the stand wont fit at the bottom, so I plan to make a wood shelf with a hole cut out to hold the fermenter. My fridge has adjustable shelving, so I can just make something out of plywood and slide it in. The crappy thing is that it will be difficult to do alone since I do 10 gallon batches. My only complaint about the fermenter is that it can't stand on its own and is very top heavy.

 

[Gritsak]

Thanks for the reply. For anyone else in this situation, I reached out to kegland ti get their input. Below is their reply:

“You can absolutely modify the stand a lot of customers have (I haven't personally). Some customers just have a blanking plate on the other side of the butterfly valve so that can remove and temporally attach the collection jar when needed, then close the valve and remove again and put it back into their chambers”

Im planning to buy one soon!

 

[djonesax]

Cool. I thought about modifying the stand but wanted to be able to use it to fill it before I transfer it to the fridge. I brew outside and ferment inside so that my biggest challenge with this so far. I just got it as a gift two days ago, so I’m in research mode figuring this all out.

 

[hotbeer]

I don't know what their recommendations are for using the collection container. However I've found that it's a big benefit to have the butterfly valve open and a collection below the FV while the beer is actively fermenting. The turbulence of the ferment moves everything settling out off the sides of the FV and puts it all nicely in the collection container.

If you wait till after fermentation slows or stops and then put on the collection jar to open the valve to dump trub, then you will likely have issues and get more air and O2 in your beer. IMO though. I'm looking at that Fermzilla and getting very tempted to pull the trigger.

 

[djonesax]

I don't know what their recommendations are for using the collection container. However I've found that it's a big benefit to have the butterfly valve open and a collection below the FV while the beer is actively fermenting. The turbulence of the ferment moves everything settling out off the sides of the FV and puts it all nicely in the collection container.

If you wait till after fermentation slows or stops and then put on the collection jar to open the valve to dump trub, then you will likely have issues and get more air and O2 in your beer. IMO though. I'm looking at that Fermzilla and getting very tempted to pull the trigger.

Yeah, I have not brewed with it yet, but it’s something I’m looking forward to. I plan to leave the collection jar on and open, and even use it to introduce my starter. I’m thinking about half the way through the fermentation, dumping the tub and then putting it back on to collect the cleaner yeast. I could purge with CO2, but at that point oxygen would be minimal and potentially still useful for the yeast anyway.

One thing I haven’t worked out yet is how to fill this thing. The top of the fermenter is 3 1/2 feet off the ground and empty. It’s very light and top heavy and tips over easily. The straps should be a mandatory accessory. There is a hole in the top of the lid that fits my three-quarter inch tube from my pump so as long as my pump can lift the wart 3 1/2 feet high then I guess I should be good. But still transporting it from outside into the fermenter will be fun.

 

[Gritsak]

I don't know what their recommendations are for using the collection container. However I've found that it's a big benefit to have the butterfly valve open and a collection below the FV while the beer is actively fermenting. The turbulence of the ferment moves everything settling out off the sides of the FV and puts it all nicely in the collection container.

If you wait till after fermentation slows or stops and then put on the collection jar to open the valve to dump trub, then you will likely have issues and get more air and O2 in your beer. IMO though. I'm looking at that Fermzilla and getting very tempted to pull the trigger.

In my case the fermenter would not physically fit inside the fridge with the collection container attached. If it needed to dump during fermentation, i would have to pull it out of the fridge, attach the container and then dump. When that is done, close the valve, remove the container and put back into the fridge. This is probably not ideal but feasible since i'm looking at the 7G fermzilla, which should be easier to maneuver compared to the larger one.

 

[djonesax]

In my case the fermenter would not physically fit inside the fridge with the collection container attached. If it needed to dump during fermentation, i would have to pull it out of the fridge, attach the container and then dump. When that is done, close the valve, remove the container and put back into the fridge. This is probably not ideal but feasible since i'm looking at the 7G fermzilla, which should be easier to maneuver compared to the larger one.

Another option is have you thought of getting a cooling coil, for the fermzilla. You could use the fridge as a fermentation chamber for other vessels but also to maintain cool water that is circulated through the cooling coil in the fermzilla to maintain temps while it’s not in the fridge.

 

[hotbeer]

In my case the fermenter would not physically fit inside the fridge with the collection container attached. If it needed to dump during fermentation, i would have to pull it out of the fridge, attach the container and then dump. When that is done, close the valve, remove the container and put back into the fridge. This is probably not ideal but feasible since i'm looking at the 7G fermzilla, which should be easier to maneuver compared to the larger one.

I understood that the first time.

My reasoning is there for you to consider that maybe getting a bigger fridge is the better answer.

Or do beers that don't require cooling. I just keep my fermenter in the house and it stays a pretty constant 69°- 71°F in the location it's kept. During peak krausen, the temps do rise to 74° - 76°F. But that's only for a few hours then it's on it's way back down to the normal ambient temperature of my home.

 

[Gritsak]

I understood that the first time.

My reasoning is there for you to consider that maybe getting a bigger fridge is the better answer.

Or do beers that don't require cooling. I just keep my fermenter in the house and it stays a pretty constant 69°- 71°F in the location it's kept. During peak krausen, the temps do rise to 74° - 76°F. But that's only for a few hours then it's on its way back down to the normal ambient temperature of my home.

I’ve considered all this. Intent of the thread was to see if anyone has come up with a creative solution to fitting it in a small space by modifying the stand. If it was as easy as getting a bigger fridge or fermenting in the open air, then I wouldn’t be asking. Unfortunately the former is not possible and I do a lot of lagers so the later is not ideal.

I’ve considered doing a cooling coil but trying to avoid that, if possible.