Kickstarter for SS Mash Tun, Kettle and Fermenter

[rockernino]

I recently saw a Kickstarter run by Chapman Homebrew Equipment. They're looking to sell SS equipment on the cheaper side. I was wondering everyone's thoughts on this? Looks pretty cool.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/958078058/chapman-homebrew-equipment-mash-tuns-fermenters-ke?ref=users

 

[brewslinger]

Looks pretty good to me. Anyone have any experience with Kickstarters and their likelihood of success?

 

[duboman]

Since they are looking for another $37k within 3 weeks, unless they get a big investor I don't see it.

Also, stuff looks nice and well built but a stainless mash run that doesn't take direct heat left me scratching my head a bit.

Pricing wasn't clear either. Are the prices listed at 40% off or is that discount already included?

 

[flars]

Why can't four people put together $40,000 in loans?

 

[aangel]

Well, if you want an insulated, 3/8 threaded stainless mash tun, at that size, it's a good deal. They went with kickstarter over a bank loan because there's far less risk in going with kickstarter, and it gets them free press.

 

[Murphy2012]

Looks like they're very similar to SS brewtech's products, even to include their new mash tun, which are made in china. These just don't look as pretty, and their fermenter isn't on legs. I'd love to get the SS fermenter for that kind of money, but I agree that coming up with the rest of the money in the next few weeks looks grim.

 

[mbbransc]

Am I reading it correctly? $119 + $30 (s/h) for a 14-gallon SS fermentor with 3-piece ball valve?

 

[ChapmanEquipment]

Hi, I just found this thread. I didn't know there was a discussion going on about our Kickstarter here. If you don't mind, I can answer a few of your questions about the products and funding campaign.

First of all, sorry about the long response, but there are a lot of good points brought up in this thread that I want to respond to in detail.

Pricing wasn't clear either. Are the prices listed at 40% off or is that discount already included?

The pricing was confusing. We've cleaned that up as best we can. The 40% off is from estimated retail prices in the future. We've just removed all mention of estimated retail prices and moved the focus to our Kickstarter prices.

Am I reading it correctly? $119 + $30 (s/h) for a 14-gallon SS fermentor with 3-piece ball valve?

Yes, it's $119 plus $30 shipping (US) for a 14 gallon fermenter with a 3-piece ball valve. The price is low because we are selling at wholesale prices on the Kickstarter, and we added the ball valve at cost. The estimated retail price is around $180 at this point. But again, that's just an estimation.

unless they get a big investor I don't see it.

As far as success of the campaign goes, we are right on track. The campaign is only 28 days long. After 6 days, we have reached 23% of our goal. By Kickstarter's estimates, we have about an 80% chance to succeed at this point.

Why can't four people put together $40,000 in loans?

We already have about $40,000 ready to invest in this project, with an additional credit line of about $15,000. We need $40,000 more so we can buy materials in bulk and produce in large quantities, which in turn, keeps the prices low.

Looks like they're very similar to SS brewtech's products, even to include their new mash tun, which are made in china. These just don't look as pretty, and their fermenter isn't on legs.

I agree the SSBrewTech mash tun looks prettier than ours. But our insulated mash tun is $209 including shipping. Theirs is $395.

And if you want to pay an extra $89 for a pair of legs on a 7 gallon fermenter, our products aren't for you.

 

[ruger988]

Hi, I just found this thread. I didn't know there was a discussion going on about our Kickstarter here. If you don't mind, I can answer a few of your questions about the products and funding campaign.

First of all, sorry about the long response, but there are a lot of good points brought up in this thread that I want to respond to in detail.



The pricing was confusing. We've cleaned that up as best we can. The 40% off is from estimated retail prices in the future. We've just removed all mention of estimated retail prices and moved the focus to our Kickstarter prices.



Yes, it's $119 plus $30 shipping (US) for a 14 gallon fermenter with a 3-piece ball valve. The price is low because we are selling at wholesale prices on the Kickstarter, and we added the ball valve at cost. The estimated retail price is around $180 at this point. But again, that's just an estimation.



As far as success of the campaign goes, we are right on track. The campaign is only 28 days long. After 6 days, we have reached 23% of our goal. By Kickstarter's estimates, we have about an 80% chance to succeed at this point.



We already have about $40,000 ready to invest in this project, with an additional credit line of about $15,000. We need $40,000 more so we can buy materials in bulk and produce in large quantities, which in turn, keeps the prices low.



I agree the SSBrewTech mash tun looks prettier than ours. But our insulated mash tun is $209 including shipping. Theirs is $395.

And if you want to pay an extra $89 for a pair of legs on a 7 gallon fermenter, our products aren't for you.

Your MT has the same flaw I see with SS's. No way to recirc if you use herms/rims. How is the lid made, could I drill through it and add a bulkhead easily?

What kind of a "package price" could you pull for a 15gal MT w/ false bottom and 7gal fermenter w/ball valve?

 

[Murphy2012]

I agree the SSBrewTech mash tun looks prettier than ours. But our insulated mash tun is $209 including shipping. Theirs is $395.

And if you want to pay an extra $89 for a pair of legs on a 7 gallon fermenter, our products aren't for you.

Hi, the thread is about discussing your products, and I shared my opinion. I never said anything negative about your products but stated facts based on my observations, something I would think you'd be interested in hearing being an up and coming business.

 

[jimmayhugh]

I'm in for a 14 gal fermentor. I've had a lot of luck with the KS projects I've supported (about 12 to date).

 

[mbbransc]

Hi, the thread is about discussing your products, and I shared my opinion. I never said anything negative about your products but stated facts based on my observations, something I would think you'd be interested in hearing being an up and coming business. I was considering backing your products but it seems as though you feel your products aren't for me.

Don't get touchy, I think he was just responding according to their business model; step up in quality but on the cheap.

And I'm actually looking for a fermentor NOT on legs to fit my freezer and I think this 14g one will work out perfect. And the $150 price can't be beat.

 

[Murphy2012]

Don't get touchy, I think he was just responding according to their business model; step up in quality but on the cheap.

And I'm actually looking for a fermentor NOT on legs to fit my freezer and I think this 14g one will work out perfect. And the $150 price can't be beat.

Not touchy, just speaking my opinion as forums are designed for such! Removed perceived negative comment to not get panties in bunches.
Also, still backed this product.

 

[BadWolfBrewing]

I'm curious about the false bottom design and whether or not the MLT can be 'easily' drilled out for a recirculation fitting.

On another note to the owners, another good way to differentiate yourselves from the competition would be with a bottom drain on the MLT. I have a bottom drain on my Stout-Tanks MLT, and it is the absolute bee's knees.

If there was a bottom drain insulated MLT with a recirculation fitting (lets make it all tri-clamp while I'm fantasizing) I would shell out big bucks for that. I can cave on the tri-clamp, as I can add those.

Back to my point, there aren't many offering a bottom drain on the MLT yet, despite it being the a fantastic feature. I wish I had my HLT as well.

Good luck on the kickstarter. Even if it isn't a product that seems like a good fit for me, I always like to see our equipment evolve.

 

[rekoob]

I like the looks of the fermenter, well done.

 

[Gavin C]

Looks like exactly what I'm looking for from a fermenter. Was looking at DIYing my own but at this price point there is little reason for me to do so now. Going to stick with my glass carboys for now

A flat base, SS and the right size for my fermentation chamber.

Best of luck with the funding. Hope you reach your goal and I get my FV in September.

 

[Gavin C]

Hi, I just found this thread. I didn't know there was a discussion going on about our Kickstarter here. If you don't mind, I can answer a few of your questions about the products and funding campaign.

First of all, sorry about the long response, but there are a lot of good points brought up in this thread that I want to respond to in detail.



The pricing was confusing. We've cleaned that up as best we can. The 40% off is from estimated retail prices in the future. We've just removed all mention of estimated retail prices and moved the focus to our Kickstarter prices.



Yes, it's $119 plus $30 shipping (US) for a 14 gallon fermenter with a 3-piece ball valve. The price is low because we are selling at wholesale prices on the Kickstarter, and we added the ball valve at cost. The estimated retail price is around $180 at this point. But again, that's just an estimation.



As far as success of the campaign goes, we are right on track. The campaign is only 28 days long. After 6 days, we have reached 23% of our goal. By Kickstarter's estimates, we have about an 80% chance to succeed at this point.



We already have about $40,000 ready to invest in this project, with an additional credit line of about $15,000. We need $40,000 more so we can buy materials in bulk and produce in large quantities, which in turn, keeps the prices low.



I agree the SSBrewTech mash tun looks prettier than ours. But our insulated mash tun is $209 including shipping. Theirs is $395.

And if you want to pay an extra $89 for a pair of legs on a 7 gallon fermenter, our products aren't for you.

Any thought given to adding a second hole in the lid for a thermowell?

 

[ChapmanEquipment]

Hi, the thread is about discussing your products, and I shared my opinion. I never said anything negative about your products but stated facts based on my observations, something I would think you'd be interested in hearing being an up and coming business.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was trying to elaborate more on our business model, which is no frills, only functionality. I want to make it clear that our equipment is not the best. So I was agreeing with you. SSBrewTech has great equipment. And if I had the money to buy their Chronical fermenters, I totally would. We just make the bare minimum for equipment that's efficient and will last a lifetime.

Your MT has the same flaw I see with SS's. No way to recirc if you use herms/rims. How is the lid made, could I drill through it and add a bulkhead easily?

What kind of a "package price" could you pull for a 15gal MT w/ false bottom and 7gal fermenter w/ball valve?

We are currently working out the details of adding a port near the top of the mash tun. If you wanted to further modify the equipment, it's all foam insulated - sides, top, and bottom. Here are some pictures of the lid. I imagine drilling a hole and adding a bulkhead wouldn't be too difficult.

The mash tun and fermenter would normally be $308 plus $60 US shipping separately. Together, we can drop the price down to $294 and $50 US shipping. So $24 off for getting both. It just takes me a second to add a reward, so I added one called "Professional Gear, The Bigger Barrel and the Small Tank" if you want to take a look. Feel free to send me a message if you want me to modify it at all.

 

[ChapmanEquipment]

I'm curious about the false bottom design and whether or not the MLT can be 'easily' drilled out for a recirculation fitting.

On another note to the owners, another good way to differentiate yourselves from the competition would be with a bottom drain on the MLT. I have a bottom drain on my Stout-Tanks MLT, and it is the absolute bee's knees.

If there was a bottom drain insulated MLT with a recirculation fitting (lets make it all tri-clamp while I'm fantasizing) I would shell out big bucks for that. I can cave on the tri-clamp, as I can add those.

Back to my point, there aren't many offering a bottom drain on the MLT yet, despite it being the a fantastic feature. I wish I had my HLT as well.

Here's a schematic drawing of the ThermoBarrel. It's nothing fancy - just a standard domed false bottom design.

We've looked into bottom draining, tri-clamps, and recirculation. You can actually modify the larger equipment to become bottom draining. Some home brewers in Europe do this with similar gear.
We will look at ways to do that without bumping up the price too much in the future.Tri-clamps would mean the ports should be welded. We could do that, but it would add a lot to the cost of production. So we probably won't. And as far as recirculation goes, I mentioned in another post that we are adding a port near the top of the mash tun. The lid could be modified further as well.

Any thought given to adding a second hole in the lid for a thermowell?

Our goal for the fermenter is to add as little as possible. The only reason we are including the ball valve now is because we got a great deal on them. Point being, not everyone wants a thermowell, so we aren't going to worry about it. But you're free to modify the equipment to your wildest imagination.

 

[Gavin C]

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated.

 

[ruger988]

You You said you're looking at adding a recirculation port to the MT. any way that will de done for the kickstand or is that a neat a later date" kind of thing? I'm probably going to pass without the ability to recirc w/o modification.

 

[helterscelter]

I want to make it clear that our equipment is not the best. So I was agreeing with you. SSBrewTech has great equipment. And if I had the money to buy their Chronical fermenters, I totally would. We just make the bare minimum for equipment that's efficient and will last a lifetime.

+1 for honesty. Almost wish I was in the market for more equipment. Thanks. I appreciate it. Hope you make your goal.

 

[dtgrdn]

I'm in for the 7 gal fermentor

 

[ChapmanEquipment]

You You said you're looking at adding a recirculation port to the MT. any way that will de done for the kickstand or is that a neat a later date" kind of thing? I'm probably going to pass without the ability to recirc w/o modification.

Word has come in and we are going to add a port. It will be the same size port as the other two. We will have details on the exact placement of the port in the next update. The next update will be sometime on the upcoming weekend.

 

[douglasbarbin]

The fermenters could REALLY use a thermowell, just saying. That's what makes it a deal-breaker for me. I'm just not going to pay hundreds of dollars for fermenters where I can't easily measure the temperature.

 

[ten80]

A stainless thermo well sanitary welded to the lid would be awesome. Easy to clean and sanitize and no gaskets. It would have to extend about 12-18" down from the lid so that the temperature of the beer, not the lid was registered.

Mash tun with bottom drain and recirc would be VERY tempting for me.

 

[brewslinger]

Don't forget that the kickstarter just gets them started and isn't meant to produce everything they will sell. It sounds like they are interested in feedback and will improve their products. I'm in for a fermenter for now and am thinking heavily about what else I might want to have in the future. I am tempted by the insulated mash tun and kettle although I already have a electrified keg for a boil pot.

 

[ChapmanEquipment]

A stainless thermo well sanitary welded to the lid would be awesome. Easy to clean and sanitize and no gaskets. It would have to extend about 12-18" down from the lid so that the temperature of the beer, not the lid was registered.

We understand the importance of a thermowell and temperature control for the fermenter. But we've decided not to add anything to the fermenter for the original product. Our goal is to keep the price as low as possible.

In the future, we will be looking into selling two types of fermenters. The first one will be with fewer features (i.e. no valve) and at a lower price. Most homebrewers are DIYers by nature. So we hope that people will be able to modify our equipment to fit their needs. We also plan on going the opposite direction and adding a thermowell and an insulated jacket. But first we need to figure out which features we can add at a reasonable cost.

We also plan on doing this with the mash tun. We plan on selling a stripped down version and hopefully, at some point, figure out how to allow direct heating for an upgraded version.

 

[DeMerchant]

What kind of heat loss are you expecting from the mash turn over say an hour?

 

[BadWolfBrewing]

I'd be surprised if it was more than a degree