FTSs Brewtech Glycol Chiller

[PenguinChillers]

This all looks great but the coupon is dead now. How about these few items?

Warranty?
Digital or analog control panel?
Glycol to water ratio?
Does the reservoir top already come with the hoses for in the tank?

Thanks again.

Coupon was for preorders, the preorder period has now passed.

1 year warranty
Digital Controls
Glycol to water ratio is your preference, 1:2 is a common ratio
Tubing not included, the lid has barb fittings for 3/8" tubing

 

[boasist]

Got mine today and it's all setup, currently waiting for fermentation to begin and then I'll start chilling, but I did test it out and the ftss system is doing great. Although I'd love to have it automated through brewpi as I had once before...

 

[truebe]

Why do they use a lower case s in the acronym? The second s is supposed to stand for "system". Are they just recklessly changing the rules of language?

 

[heckels]

Why do they use a lower case s in the acronym? The second s is supposed to stand for "system". Are they just recklessly changing the rules of language?

They're playing off the logo which is supposed to be creating a new Stainless Steel element with a number of 304 on the periodic table. In their early marketing they commonly replaced any "ss" in words with "Ss".

 

[truebe]

They're playing off the logo which is supposed to be creating a new Stainless Steel element with a number of 304 on the periodic table. In their early marketing they commonly replaced any "ss" in words with "Ss".

Oh, I see.

 

[jgalak]

For those recommending an Inkbird controller to control a fridge-based chiller, which model do you use? The ITC-308? Something else?

 

[Morrey]

ITC-308 is what I use. They run around $30ish on Amazon. Really good ATC's...I have several and never had problems, knock on wood.

 

[Dockside_Brewing]

For you guys that are using the Inkbird Controller, how are you installing the temp probe?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[pennengr]

For me, it's in a thermowell in the conical. The chiller has its own temperature control, so I'm just turning a pump on and off to maintain beer temp.

 

[mongoose33]

For you guys that are using the Inkbird Controller, how are you installing the temp probe?

Thanks,

Scott

I use a piece of closed-cell foam that comes in insulation, cushioning in shipping boxes, and so on.

Using a utility knife I cut a small slot in it like so:



Then I will use that foam to hold the temperature probe against the fermenter using a bungee cord or two. The idea is to get the probe to read the temperature of the wort, not the ambient surroundings.

That looks like so:



and

 

[Dockside_Brewing]

Thanks guys. I will be going with the Spike conical so I will order the thermowell. My plan is to also get their carb stone and carbonate after dumping the yeast. I am also going to go with the Penguin Chiller. With the savings compared to the SS chiller and not purchasing a Brite tank I can buy another conical. "Look honey, I am saving money!"

Scott

 

[Carlscan26]

Thanks guys. I will be going with the Spike conical so I will order the thermowell. My plan is to also get their carb stone and carbonate after dumping the yeast. I am also going to go with the Penguin Chiller. With the savings compared to the SS chiller and not purchasing a Brite tank I can buy another conical. "Look honey, I am saving money!"

Scott

The spike conical comes with a thermowell

 

[Positas]

I have two 7G FTSs Brew buckets going trying to keep wort cool (mid-60's ferm temp) as the summer heat approaches. I have a heavy duty Grizzly cooler/reservoir with ice water and frozen ice bottles struggling to keep cool. My ambient temps avg in the upper 80's by day, or upper 60's by night. I am replacing frozen water bottles faster than I imagined...at least 3 frozen bottles twice per day. So if I needed to run out of town on an overnight trip, I'll be SOL.

I looked at other systems inc building a glycol cooler and not interested. Looked at running a reservoir in a temp controlled freezer and not interested. This potentially leaves me with a commercial glycol chiller and I'll likely go with Brewtech as the proprietary nature appeals to me.

It retails for $999. Other than Brewtech, I don't see online retailers that carry this...am I missing someone that carries it? reason I ask is that Mem Day sales are coming up and I may luck out and catch it on a sale. Anyone aware if this is a situation that may exist???

Thanks!

Yup I'm in the same boat changing ice bottles in an igloo cooler circulating thru a ss brew tech 7 gallon chronical, did it last summer too. I've already decided that next summer I'm splurging on ss brew tech's glycol chiller. No more ice and frozen water bottles for me.

 

[Dockside_Brewing]

Just to update I ended up going with the SS Brewtech Unitank. I have a 15 gallon and a 1/2 barrel both with the temp control. I have them both hooked up to a 1/2 hp Penguin chiller. The temp control is rock solid.