NEW Conical Fermenter - The Catalyst: 3" Butterfly valve, Mason jar compatible...

[r8rphan]

I really like this... I always though it would be great if someone made an actual glass conical.. But this might be a better approach if the plastic is as scratch resistant as claimed...

Let me know when you have a version for 10-12 gallon batches (15 gallon fermenter?)... I'm afraid the thing will be so big then that I'd need a new fermentation chamber though....

 

[hawkeye121]

Do you have any plans for larger sizes? I hope so.

I would probably get one if it was 10 gallons as I do 8 gallon batches. 10 gallon would be my preference however if you made it 12 gallons for those who do 10 gallon batches I would probably get it too. It looks great, great features. I really want one.

 

[CraftaBrew]

Do you have any plans for larger sizes? I hope so.

I would probably get one if it was 10 gallons as I do 8 gallon batches. 10 gallon would be my preference however if you made it 12 gallons for those who do 10 gallon batches I would probably get it too. It looks great, great features. I really want one.

We are considering a larger tank size and will make it if the original 5 gallon version sells well enough. The manufacturing costs are quite high on the tank so we also need to ensure the demand is there to meet the production minimums.

 

[bertdorf3]

I've always wanted a see-through conical... this is IT! I'm gonna be a good boy and Santa gonna make my Christmas!

 

[TorMag]

Have you considered wall mounting brackets like the FastFermenter? That is a huge selling point for me with the FF. As I have said before, I really like the mason jar feature of your product.

 

[Bobby_M]

Open the valve before primary, and just leave it open the whole time, only closing just before removing the jar?

Well, it depends on whether you want to dump yeast twice or not. Dumping twice simulates racking to secondary and racking to a bottling bucket.

 

[8rnw8]

I feel like you could keep it open when you transfer from kettle, and dump the trub, (nice to be able to take EVERYTHING, and let it settle in the fermenter). Attach a new jar and open before you pitch yeast (oxygen is good at that point), and then take away that jar after primary fermentation is done. So the only oxygen introduced would be after that if you wanted to grab yeast after having already drained out the krausen to avoid washing. Could get around that a couple ways, distilled water, co2 purge, etc.

 

[Bassman2003]

Great to see more innovative products in the homebrew world. Best of luck with your venture!

My main concern about the product is going from the boil kettle to the fermenter. My system is setup for a lower output height as 26" is fairly tall. I do not know the exact height of many three vessel systems. Would they gravity feed into your product?

Also, since it is a conical it always needs the stand which seems kind of awkward to move around. Maybe wheels on the stand?...

I used to use buckets and now use a SS fusti. Both are pretty low profile and pretty easy to move around. I paid $130 for the fusti and love it. If I was a yeast collector the $200 price could be justified if the product ticks all of the usage boxes. When you do this hobby for 15+ years, you just want things that work really well and lasts.

What I did not care for in your promo video is the false impression that your product would be used on the counter. Fermentation always needs temperature control. This means some sort of refrigeration at the home level. This seems like a homebrew centered product directed to wealthy millennials with no brewing experience. Kind of a strange cross mix if you ask me.

 

[xandersaml]

This is a waste of time 5 gallon brewers in general don't spend much on equipment. Most do stove top and hand bottle. You should have focused on larger sizes. There's room for an economical alternative to full on SS Conicals for 10 gallon brewers and larger.

I beg to differ. I suspect there are plenty of 5 gallon homebrewers spending lotsa' money on lotsa' brew stuff. Is 5 gallons not the "standard" batch size for homebrewing? Grainfathers seem to be selling well.

This looks like a great product with great features ( too pricey perhaps?) and I hope they do well. You should be pulling for them as well, since they claim to be willing to create larger versions if all goes well with this one.

Brew on.

 

[8rnw8]

Well said xandersaml!

 

[CraftaBrew]

Great to see more innovative products in the homebrew world. Best of luck with your venture!

My main concern about the product is going from the boil kettle to the fermenter. My system is setup for a lower output height as 26" is fairly tall. I do not know the exact height of many three vessel systems. Would they gravity feed into your product?

Also, since it is a conical it always needs the stand which seems kind of awkward to move around. Maybe wheels on the stand?...

I used to use buckets and now use a SS fusti. Both are pretty low profile and pretty easy to move around. I paid $130 for the fusti and love it. If I was a yeast collector the $200 price could be justified if the product ticks all of the usage boxes. When you do this hobby for 15+ years, you just want things that work really well and lasts.

What I did not care for in your promo video is the false impression that your product would be used on the counter. Fermentation always needs temperature control. This means some sort of refrigeration at the home level. This seems like a homebrew centered product directed to wealthy millennials with no brewing experience. Kind of a strange cross mix if you ask me.

Thank you!

Yes you can gravity feed, pump or simply dump into the fermenter depending on your setup. We have some graphics up on our Kickstarter campaign illustrating how easy it is to pickup and move. We will be coming out with a light proof cover that has incorporated handles within the next few months.

Putting the fermenter on the counter is for demonstration purposes and for new brewers we include instructions on where the unit should be stored during fermentation. While fermentation temperature is a constant point of discussion we know that when working with a neutral yeast like US-05 you can create some excellent beers at room temperature. I have home brewed for years and utilized a closet with an air vent that averages around 70 degrees and consistently make some pretty good beers. Of course the yeast used at room temperature are limited yet I'd say it is not always necessary to have a dedicated fermentation chamber to make good homebrew.

 

[Yeastieboy]

Congrats on the great design and Kickstarter success. The compact size and yeast collection almost made me pre-order it. However, I would like to see a sample/racking valve. I would also like to see a method for adding a thermocouple / thermowell. Without these features, I can't quite justify $200. Had I not missed the $160 level, I may have pulled the trigger. I think $149 is more appropriate, for me anyways. If I'm going to be in $200, I'm going SS 7G Conical for $395.

 

[Weezy]

The site says the plastic can stand up to 230°F temps. Would it be OK to dump hot right from the BK?

 

[8rnw8]

Yes, the manufacturer answered this on another thread. All the parts the hot wort touches are temp safe to boiling.

I'd worry about hot side aeration though. Or has that been debunked? Lol, I can't keep up with all the "facts" about brewing technique that have been proven false in recent years.

 

[Yeastieboy]

debunked and then rebunked again...

 

[Weezy]

debunked and then rebunked again...

It's a semi-annual requirement around here, I think. We need a sticky.

 

[8rnw8]

It's a semi-annual requirement around here, I think. We need a sticky.

Agreed!

 

[Yeastieboy]

Forget HSA. Now you got LoDo to worry about! [emoji47]

 

[8rnw8]

LoDo??? What the bollocks is LoDo???

 

[Bassman2003]

Low Dissolved Oxygen.

This is HSA taken to the extreme. The premise is that oxidation of the malt apparently happens very quickly. So quickly that people think it is myth because most all beers have it. So in looking for HSA the forest through the trees comes into play.

LODO is about brewing without introducing any oxygen at any point. Like milling your grain in Nitrogen gas environment etc... Very difficult for homebrewers.

 

[8rnw8]

Wow. I try to minimize oxygen, but... wow.

 

[fxdrider]

I did a search of the thread and didn't see thermometer mentioned, so I'll go ahead.

I'd like to see a provision for a thermometer. I have one of the lower-priced white plastic conical fermenters and it has a thermo-well as an accessory. While it's not "necessary", it does come in handy. Just a thought.

 

[8rnw8]

Yeah, wouldn't mind that also, just for easier comparison between ambient and actual temps. Apparently Tritan is pretty easy to drill.

 

[RichBenn]

Personally, at $200, I see a brewbucket as a better choice. Tritan copolyester is a BPA plastic replacement. While there is no BPA it still may have estrogenic chemicals. Eastman Chemicals have worked hard to supress any studies and rulings that may suggest it's anything but safe.

I certainly do not put any hot, acidic liquids in anything I own that has BPA or Triton copolyester.

Glass and stainless are the inert products of choice, IMHO.

Stiil, there are some new features with this fermenter that are unique.

 

[8rnw8]

Personally, at $200, I see a brewbucket as a better choice. Tritan copolyester is a BPA plastic replacement. While there is no BPA it still may have estrogenic chemicals. Eastman Chemicals have worked hard to supress any studies and rulings that may suggest it's anything but safe.



I certainly do not put any hot, acidic liquids in anything I own that has BPA or Triton copolyester.



Glass and stainless are the inert products of choice, IMHO.



Stiil, there are some new features with this fermenter that are unique.

Some valid points. I adore my catalyst so far for ease of use. Will report back with continued usage.

 

[JayInJersey]

What's the actual size of the Catalyst?

As in top of tank to bottom of legs...curious if it would fit in my ferm chamber.

 

[Pantherjon]

Top of airlock to bottom of legs is 30"

17" wide by 14" deep

 

[jimmayhugh]

Is it possible to order just the lid and silicone seal? I'd like to try adding a stainless steel thermowell to the lid, but I want to have an extra just in case things go awry.

 

[CraftaBrew]

Is it possible to order just the lid and silicone seal? I'd like to try adding a stainless steel thermowell to the lid, but I want to have an extra just in case things go awry.

Sure thing, just email us at info at CraftaBrew.com and we will get a order put together for you.

 

[jimmayhugh]

Sure thing, just email us at info at CraftaBrew.com and we will get a order put together for you.

I sent an e-mail concerning this on 1/29/2017, no response so far...