New equipment and/or upgrades discussion

[HopHeadScott]

How lousy is this set up for a green pea like me? I'm considering trying home brewing and think this might not be the way to go if I like it:

https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/...est_dailyus&utm_medium=email&utm_source=blast

 

[Beerontwowheels]

How lousy is this set up for a green pea like me? I'm considering trying home brewing and think this might not be the way to go if I like it:

https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/1447418-brewing-basics-equipment-kit-with-pale-ale?cvosrc=email.blast-us.digest_dailyus&utm_campaign=digest_dailyus&utm_medium=email&utm_source=blast

Price is very good. I spent considerably more when I was just getting started. Pretty low risk/investment way to see if you enjoy the hobby.

 

[FTowne1]

Conical fermenters? Worth the extra $$$ over using standard carboys? Looks like you can get a Stainless 7.5 gallon for under $200.
http://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/fermenters/products/brewbucket

 

[Beerontwowheels]

Conical fermenters? Worth the extra $$$ over using standard carboys? Looks like you can get a Stainless 7.5 gallon for under $200.
http://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/fermenters/products/brewbucket

I would consider one if I had a walk-in or upright freezer. Using a chest freezer would make it hard to fully realize all the benefits (pulling yeast, etc.).

 

[Phischy1]

The brew buckets arent really a conical. It's a compromise and does work better for cleaning,safety but not for dumping trub,yeast,hops. That little racking arm leaves a lot to be desired IMHO.

 

[mcaulifww]

Can you use a bottling bucket for primary or secondary fermentation? I would imagine the spigot could leak but that could make things a lot simpler

Just did some research and it seems like this is an awesome idea. Think I'll need to go grab one

 

[FTowne1]

Can you use a bottling bucket for primary or secondary fermentation? I would imagine the spigot could leak but that could make things a lot simpler

I think I'm going to buy a plastic Better Bottle and add a spigot for now. I'm trying to get around exposing beer to a bunch of oxygen without having a kegging system. I'll see if my $30 experiment works or not.

 

[Phischy1]

The problem is you need to mix in your priming sugar. The brew bucket cannot pull all the trub/yeast out and you'd still have to swirl it to hope for even distribution. Doesn't matter if it's a brew bucket or a better bottle, racking to a bottling bucket is pretty much necessary.

 

[mcaulifww]

The problem is you need to mix in your priming sugar. The brew bucket cannot pull all the trub/yeast out and you'd still have to swirl it to hope for even distribution. Doesn't matter if it's a brew bucket or a better bottle, racking to a bottling bucket is pretty much necessary.

Ah good point, but TWO bottling buckets should solve that!

 

[FTowne1]

The problem is you need to mix in your priming sugar. The brew bucket cannot pull all the trub/yeast out and you'd still have to swirl it to hope for even distribution. Doesn't matter if it's a brew bucket or a better bottle, racking to a bottling bucket is pretty much necessary.

Carbonation tablets?

 

[Phischy1]

Carbonation tablets?

Those will work.

 

[ncaudle]

Carbonation tablets?

they don't always dissolve completely. I've seen some bottles, a year after the fact, that still had some chunks from those capsules floating about

 

[Phischy1]

Even though I haven't bottle conditioned in 7 plus years, I want to with belgian golden strongs. Maybe I'll pick up a ss brew bucket to use as my bottling bucket. I just need to keep drinking the **** out of Duvel for the bottles.

 

[FTowne1]

they don't always dissolve completely. I've seen some bottles, a year after the fact, that still had some chunks from those capsules floating about

Yikes.

 

[neorunner]

http://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/fermenters/products/half-barrel-chronical-fermenter

 

[rcubed1]

Anyone have a good RO system at home they would recommend?

 

[neorunner]

Anyone have a good RO system at home they would recommend?

I'm looking to put one of these in: SpectraPure w/ Automatic Flush 90GPD

With a Utilitech 52-Gallon Vertical Pressure Tank and Single Tank Liquid Replenisher

 

[Snarf1]

Conical fermenters? Worth the extra $$$ over using standard carboys? Looks like you can get a Stainless 7.5 gallon for under $200.
http://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/fermenters/products/brewbucket

No.

 

[Phischy1]

No.

Disagree, I love my 2 B3 14 gal conicals. If you do 10 gallon batches they work well and it's easier to harvest yeast etc... I've blown out my L5-S1 disk twice, and I still use carboys but I pay for it with pain. The SS Brew bucket isn't really a conical, just a better carboy.

 

[neorunner]

I gotta guess TNGabe is saying no to the brewbucket, which I agree with. The professional standard for fermentation is a SS conical fermenter, be hard to say that's a bad decision aside from the price tag.

 

[SirDickButts]

I love my speidel fermenters!

 

[neorunner]

I love my speidel fermenters!

I've used them multiple times with no issue, but plastic scares me.

 

[Snarf1]

I gotta guess TNGabe is saying no to the brewbucket, which I agree with. The professional standard for fermentation is a SS conical fermenter, be hard to say that's a bad decision aside from the price tag.

Homebrew conicals are mostly poorly made POS IMO.

 

[Phischy1]

Homebrew conicals are mostly poorly made POS IMO.

Which ones are you referring to?

The biggest fault on them is the gasket between the body and lid. I wish there was a better design on them. At least for the morebeer, but they hold pressure, you just have to know their limitations. And I'd far rather deal with that than carboys.

 

[neorunner]

Homebrew conicals are mostly poorly made POS IMO.

Curious as to what way you feel they are poorly made? I realize SS brewtech uses thinner metal vs Blichmann. Design, craftsmanship, or material?

 

[Snarf1]

Which ones are you referring to?

The biggest fault on them is the gasket between the body and lid. I wish there was a better design on them. At least for the morebeer, but they hold pressure, you just have to know their limitations. And I'd far rather deal with that than carboys.

Curious as to what way you feel they are poorly made? I realize SS brewtech uses thinner metal vs Blichmann. Design, craftsmanship, or material?

Don't have a clue. The two or three I've seen including Blichmann offer a pretty limited increase in functionality compared to a better bottle for 30 times the price.

 

[Phischy1]

Ok, whatever.

 

[kscaldef]

The most recent upgrade was a good one. 400 micron stainless steel mesh hop basket filters.

http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/brewingfilters.php

Keeps my plate chiller from clogging and more convenient than hop bags.

OMG, how have I never seen these before? And the dryhopping filters! Must have!

 

[sts9fan1]

I love my ssbrewtech ****. Can you make great beer in a bucket? Yeah but I like the gear. I also think it is fairly priced.

 

[kscaldef]

I love my ssbrewtech ****. Can you make great beer in a bucket? Yeah but I like the gear. I also think it is fairly priced.

I'm intrigued by the heat transfer coil in that fermenter. How do you make use of it in practice? Looks like you're still cooling your wort in the kettle, so in practice how are you using it for fermentation temperature control?