New Anvil Bucket Fermentors

[Thorrak]

There's a feature here I don't care for--though it may not be an issue for others. It's something the SS Brew Bucket has that this does not.

The diameter of the SS Brew Bucket is 12.5". The width of the Anvil offering (Handle to Handle) is 16.5" while the depth is 15.25".

The Brew Bucket maybe could fit in my little mini-fridge ferm chamber; the Anvil could not. I don't know, exactly, why they make them this way, but if the handles were fore-and-aft, instead of port-and-starboard, it would be easy to fit it in that ferm chamber.

So I'll be honest here - It took me a second to figure out what you meant by this, just because I've never seen a kettle that had the ball valve/port underneath the handle. That said, it kind of makes sense. I can't imagine a situation where I'd be using the handle & ball valve at the same time, and even if I was, having it underneath the handle doesn't sound like much of a disadvantage.

But, even in my head, it looks weird. I doubt any company will ever make one that way just because the market wouldn't expect it.

 

[AzOr]

Has anyone received theirs yet? I know that their website says early Nov but my lhbs said theirs were coming earlier.

 

[mongoose33]

So I'll be honest here - It took me a second to figure out what you meant by this, just because I've never seen a kettle that had the ball valve/port underneath the handle. That said, it kind of makes sense. I can't imagine a situation where I'd be using the handle & ball valve at the same time, and even if I was, having it underneath the handle doesn't sound like much of a disadvantage.

But, even in my head, it looks weird. I doubt any company will ever make one that way just because the market wouldn't expect it.

Yeah, there are reasons to keep the handles to the sides and the ball valve to the front. One is that the handles on mine are a convenient place to put the stir spoon. Another is that I can hang the lid from them on the side.

Having said that, if I wanted those features to remain with the ball value under one of the handles, I could just turn the kettle 90 degrees and the handles would end up on the "sides."

 

[MapleGroveAleworks]

Ordered mine yesterday. It says it will be delivered on Monday. Really hope it works out, would love to be rid of plastic forever.

 

[Schreiner]

$30 more and you get the 7.5 gal though. And by comparison, the SS Brewbucket is $199.

I’ll never use plastic or glass as my fermentation vessel so these are great options. I just wish they offered a 10 gal batch version.

I can see the Anvil has some neat features that this doesn't have, but I have two Chapman fermenters (a 7 gallon and a 14 gallon), and am very happy with them.

https://www.chapmanequipment.com/collections/fermenters.

You can get them through any shop that gets supplies though brewcaft.

I like the dished bottom, but not the plastic stand that the Anvil sits on. Plus, I like to boil a gallon of water and steam sanitize my Chapman fermenters. Heck, I've even just boiled up quick extract batches right in my chapman fermenters!

 

[plazola86]

Just bought two of these yesterday. I hope they fit in my fermentation chamber!

 

[dcshoeco]

Ordered two this afternoon and already received my tracking number. I have two SS Brewtech buckets already so I am curious as to how they compare. I will report back.

 

[AzOr]

Woohoo! Not having to use my autosiphon is a huge bonus.
Hopefully everything works out. For the price of other ss fermentors, I’ll also be able to upgrade my wort chiller. I have a feeling other companies will be introducing a budget ss fermentor as well.
Now I just have to wait for it to arrive.

 

[MapleGroveAleworks]

Got mine today in the mail. It seems really nice. Fairly tall and thin, so diameter shouldn't be a problem for most people.

 

[Murphys_Law]

Got mine today in the mail. It seems really nice. Fairly tall and thin, so diameter shouldn't be a problem for most people.

I haven’t looked at dimensions yet...think it will fit in a 4cf mini fridge?

 

[MapleGroveAleworks]

I haven’t looked at dimensions yet...think it will fit in a 4cf mini fridge?

Definitely a good chance. I will check mine here in a bit.

 

[AzOr]

Jeezuz People! We need real pics, come on!
Just joking. When you have time. Please.

 

[MapleGroveAleworks]

Sorry! Will post pictures as soon as I get home from work tonight, and how it would fit in my chest freezer as well.

 

[MapleGroveAleworks]

Here are some pictures.

 

[MapleGroveAleworks]

So it definitely won't fit in my mini fridge, but it fits easily in my chest freezer I also ferment in. 2 could fit in there easily. But unless you have some huge mini fridge, these will be too big.

 

[PADave]

What's you initial impressions? How about the gasket in the lid, got a pic of that? I'm about to pull the trigger on one of these, or another SS Brewbucket, just waiting to hear how they are.

 

[AzOr]

Thanks for pics.
I see you have a fermometer. The ones that I have on my glass carboys are usually fairly accurate. I’m wondering how accurate they’ll be on stainless.

 

[MapleGroveAleworks]

Thanks for pics.
I see you have a fermometer. The ones that I have on my glass carboys are usually fairly accurate. I’m wondering how accurate they’ll be on stainless.

Yep, it came with the bucket. I'll probably toss it on there just to see how accurate my fermentation temp controllers are, but I don't normally use them.

 

[MapleGroveAleworks]

What's you initial impressions? How about the gasket in the lid, got a pic of that? I'm about to pull the trigger on one of these, or another SS Brewbucket, just waiting to hear how they are.

The stainless is a bit thin, and it's very light. However I still find it to be sturdy enough and a nice piece for this price point. I plan on buying 3-4 more to round out my equipment and finally be rid of plastic.

I'll check the gasket in a little bit for ya.

 

[plazola86]

Alright fellas time for some real life size comparison pictures.

Next to a 7 gallon fermonster. Its a couple inches shorter and about an inch wider body, not counting the added width of the handles or spigot.

The silicone seal seems to give it an air tight seal (have not used it yet) but everything seem good!

 

[plazola86]

I have a 5 cu. ft. chest freezer as my fermentation chamber and I have to squeeze to get the two in there. If you have a bigger chest freezer then I think you would have no problem fitting two or more depending on your size. I have about 6 -7 inches of cleared height so no problem there. The only part that hits the hump is the plastic bottom on the fermenter so I may try to take that off later to see if that clears it. If these were literally .5 inch skinnier they would fit like a glove in there.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

The only way I'm paying for stainless is if I can ferment under pressure and then I'd also want built in temp control. Otherwise my BMB, inkbird and chest freezer work just fine.

The bottom line is that I really like being able to see what's going on. I'd give it up for pressure and temp control, but not just to go stainless. It clearly fills a need though, so carry on.

 

[BeardedBrews]

I don't know, exactly, why they make them this way, but if the handles were fore-and-aft, instead of port-and-starboard, it would be easy to fit it in that ferm chamber.

I think it's to make walking easier when holding it by the handles. If you're holding it fore-and-aft you'd kick your shin into the spigot.

 

[plazola86]

The only way I'm paying for stainless is if I can ferment under pressure and then I'd also want built in temp control. Otherwise my BMB, inkbird and chest freezer work just fine.

The bottom line is that I really like being able to see what's going on. I'd give it up for pressure and temp control, but not just to go stainless. It clearly fills a need though, so carry on.

Nice feature but that would skyrocket the cost. These are only $130 and will last a lifetime. My fermonsters cost $35 but I already had to replace the screw on tops (they cracked) and silicone ring on both. I've made enough beer to realize that me being able to see the beer fermenting doesn't help the fermentation process at all.

 

[Thorrak]

So I got my 4 gallon Anvil fermenter in today, BUT! ...they soldered the hinges on backwards. I can't actually close/seal the lid of the fermenter.

Oops. I'll give Anvil a call tomorrow & report back.

That said, I want to give a massive shout out to @Bobby_M who installed a thermowell which goes through the lid and dips down to about the 1.5 gallon line. Once I get the issue with the hinges resolved, I'll post pictures. Very excited!

 

[ingchr1]

Can someone verify the width not including the spigot or handles for the 7.5 gallon. An earlier post indicates 12". Want to see if one will fit in my Vissani chamber, which is 12" on the bottom at the hump. All though it may not work with the handles and valve being 90 degrees. If the handles were only fold down!

Thanks

 

[VagueSkunk]

Questions regarding the base of the unit:

- Is it hard plastic, hard rubber or some other material?
- Is it removable?

 

[AzOr]

My 7 gallon came with the latches backwards too. It’s as if the clasp part was underneath the buckle then soldered on. It took a few minutes the get pliers and spread the clasp so I could pull the buckle through. I took pics just in case I broke something in the process.
Other than that everything looks great. I won’t have a chance to brew for a while but will give a proper update/review soon.

 

[plazola86]

Questions regarding the base of the unit:

- Is it hard plastic, hard rubber or some other material?
- Is it removable?

It’s hard plastic. It looks like it’s glued on, looks easy to remove. I might need to do that to one of mine to be able to fit both in my freezer.

 

[plazola86]

Can someone verify the width not including the spigot or handles for the 7.5 gallon. An earlier post indicates 12". Want to see if one will fit in my Vissani chamber, which is 12" on the bottom at the hump. All though it may not work with the handles and valve being 90 degrees. If the handles were only fold down!

Thanks

It’s about a half inch to an inch wider than 12. The body looks like it’s 12 but the top lip and plastic bottom makes it what goes over 12.