In the market for a new fermenter

[ReaperOnefour]

WAF. Lol. I like that. That's a good one. I really like the SS brew bucket,. But like I said. With a $200 price tag.....I just don't know. I just can't find enough info on the sovereign, so I don't think I'll go with that one. I've been thinking about going with the anvil 7 gallon fermenter. I was thinking I could probably get the same results as I would if I got the brew bucket.

 

[deuc224]

No one really into the grainfather fermenter?

 

[Jag75]

No one really into the grainfather fermenter?

No , even though I have a Grainfather. Imo it's hard to beat Spikes equipment.

 

[deuc224]

Jag75, price wise or overall?

 

[Jag75]

Jag75, price wise or overall?

Overall. The price was about what a spike conical costs. I like the spike look and the features better .

 

[ReaperOnefour]

I like the spike flex too. They are too expensive though.

 

[McKnuckle]

I have the smaller 4 gallon Anvil, which costs $99 (7.5 gallon is $129).

I respectfully suggest that you might be in analysis paralysis about what is really a simple product. Short of a no-name Asian brand bought off Alibaba, the Anvil offers the lowest price point in an American-based (if not manufactured) product. The spigot doesn't leak and fits a standard 1/2" ID hose. The pickup tube rotates easily and transfers minimal trub without fuss. The lid has clamps and seals reliably. The opening supports a stopper/airlock or blow-off and remains airtight. It's lightweight and easy to clean.

I use mine for estery styles like English and Belgian ales and German weissbier. I prefer fermenting in a keg for lagers and hoppy beers. Kegs are great too - maybe you should look into those as an alternative. Get yourself a floating dip tube and a spunding valve and go to town.

 

[ReaperOnefour]

After much consideration I'm going to go with the 7 gallon anvil. Everyone here, & online say that it's a good fermenter. It looks really cool, & is more in my budget. I just recently switched from brewing 2.5 gallon to 5 gallon batches, so I'm really looking forward to getting a new fermenter. The thing I really like about brewing 5 gallon batches is most recipes & equipment is tailored to 5 gallons. So it makes things easier for me now.

 

[verboten]

I like my anvils, I wish there was a 14 gallon version.

 

[ReaperOnefour]

That would be cool. The little 4 gallon anvil looks pretty cool too. I was just looking at the anvil electric kettle set up. I think its called the foundry or something like that. That looks really cool. It comes with everything you need.

 

[deuc224]

Overall. The price was about what a spike conical costs. I like the spike look and the features better .

I get you. I have a grainfather conical and will probably get a brewtools fermenter when it gets released to do full size 20 gallon(B80) batches with, but keep the grainfather for my 5 gallon small batches as well as my high gravity batches when I hit that road.

 

[2005STi]

Why not use corny kegs?

 

[ReaperOnefour]

Some day I will start kegging.

 

[ReaperOnefour]

Kegging is really cool. I'd like to get one of those fridges for kegs. They are expensive though.

 

[Jag75]

Kegging is really cool. I'd like to get one of those fridges for kegs. They are expensive though.

You can find them on craigslist for a good price . I've seen some on there between 2-400$

 

[Stand]

If I didn't already have a conical I might go with one of those 15 gallon torpedo kegs from morebeer. Those are slick, and price is right.

 

[ReaperOnefour]

I think I've seen those

 

[2005STi]

I still can't understand the fascination with conicals for homebrewing. But I can harvest the yeast! Someone said it's the aspect ratio is PERFECT for fermenting!

1) Yeah now you have 3x as much stuff to clean and sanitize
2) You must be careful keeping the yeast clean/sanitary when collecting/storing
3) They're pretty expensive
4) They're big and not as easy to fit in temp control fridges

I think a lot of people just want to feel like a big boy/pro brewer and buy more toys. Cheap corny's work just as well, are SS, and can do closed transfers and pressurized ferments.

 

[Stand]

I waited 10 years to buy a conical because of exactly that argument, but now that I have it I like it a lot.

They are fun.

15g torpedo keg might have won me over as an alternative had they been available.

If I did 5g batches I would probably go with an anvil.

 

[Jim R]

I priced out a glass carboy with a carboy cap and a carboy cleaner for easy cleaning (since you can't reach you hand into it to scrub it well) and the total was about $75. A carboy harness to carry it easier would have been a little more.

Instead i bought a $199 SS Brewtech Brew Bucket that is well made, very easy to reach inside and clean well, has a nice side thermowell and the lower transfer valve works great. It is also small enough to fit well in my mini-refrigerator. This thing will last me forever.

It seemed like a nice upgrade for a little over $100 for me.

 

[deuc224]

I still can't understand the fascination with conicals for homebrewing. But I can harvest the yeast! Someone said it's the aspect ratio is PERFECT for fermenting!

1) Yeah now you have 3x as much stuff to clean and sanitize
2) You must be careful keeping the yeast clean/sanitary when collecting/storing
3) They're pretty expensive
4) They're big and not as easy to fit in temp control fridges

I think a lot of people just want to feel like a big boy/pro brewer and buy more toys. Cheap corny's work just as well, are SS, and can do closed transfers and pressurized ferments.

2 words, Temperature control.

 

[2005STi]

2 words, Temperature control.

Lol what? How is temp controlling a conical or corny any different. I ferment in a small dorm fridge with a heat wrap and an inkbird controller. It’d be the same with a conical.

 

[deuc224]

Lol what? How is temp controlling a conical or corny any different. I ferment in a small dorm fridge with a heat wrap and an inkbird controller. It’d be the same with a conical.

Very true sir.

 

[Andrew7447]

Unless it can hold pressure its a waste of money to me. I only wish I knew then what I do now. I wasted so much starting with a FF to cheap buckets then a 7.5 anvil. Now I rock a homemade unitank corny and a fermzilla.