Review: SSBrewTech Chronical 7Gal Fermenter

[bcrawfo2]

You would never be able to fit the probe in WITH the probe Ss brew tech provides, but you may be able to substitute it. I'm unfamiliar with the stc 1000 probe but I use a Johnson A419 and it fits the Ss Thermowell like a glove. I'll like never use the provided thermometer

For others....I just got my conical and the ssbrewtech temp probe. The stc and the ssbrewtech probe fit in the thermowell at the same time

 

[millsbrew]

Anyone have the specs on weight for the 7g Chronical Conical? And does it have handles for moving? I want to be able to easily get it in/out of my ferm chamber even when full with 6g of beer. Thanks.

 

[pvpeacock]

It has handles, but I don't know how much it weights when full other than water weighs 8.34 lbs. per gallon. x 6 = 50.04 lbs. + the weight of the Chronical.

 

[Feurhund]

I have lifted two of them pretty much full and put them into a chest freezer on a platform across the hump. I had to hug the legs as I couldn't lift up over the edge, but I got then in and out.

I plan on using a stand up commercial cooler or freezer and that will be easy.

 

[millsbrew]

Thanks for the quick responses on the handles. They weight 32lbs according to homebrewing.com for anyone else interested.

 

[BlueHemlock]

Based on these reviews and others I've read, I just ordered the 14 gallon chronical. Can't wait to get it. While I can't speak for the product yet, I can speak to the customer service of SS Brewtech. Top notch! A+. They answered all my questions promptly and were a pleasure to deal with.

Now I just have to figure out how I'm going to wait a month or so for this thing to show up. I guess maybe fill those carboys one last time

 

[abeasst]

Mine showed up in 4 days!! I plan to try it out next weekend.

 

[nicolas_james]

Just received my 7 gallon chronical and FTS. Can't wait to put them to use.

 

[nicolas_james]

I can't seem to find a plug for the thermowell hole on my chronical. Maybe it's just that I don't know what I'm looking for.

Anyone have something for this?

 

[Einberger1]

You shouldn't need a plug. It is a sealed tube to hold their thermometer. It will not leak at all if you don't put one in

 

[nicolas_james]

I know, but I use the FTS so I have no use for that particular thermowell. There is one in the lid, so I'd prefer to just put some type of plug in.

 

[nickmv]

To add to that, just in case he's thinking in this manner --- if youre trying to keep outside air from "leaking into" the thermowell, don't even bother. Once a probe is in there, outside air is simply not going to affect the temp reading.

 

[nicolas_james]

Nope, just don't need two thermowells.

 

[augiedoggy]

I ordered the ss 14 and 17 cronicals last November for friends who love them, and their customer service is top notch.
I have a 12.5gallon stout conical myself (which I am happy with for the $370 cost) and wanted to mention that this http://www.gotta-brew.com/products/cool-zone-cooling-jacket.html cooling jacket actually does an awesome job at cooling my conical with my chiller... I believe it would work just as well with an aquarium pump and ice water method...they are very easy to remove and install (velcro) so moving from fermentor to carboy fermentor is easy with no additional cleaning like with a coil inside)

I was considering the peltier option and am soo glad I didn't ... I plan on purchasing more of these for my other fermentors and using 12v solenoid valves activated by stc1000+ temp controllers to turn on and off flow to each cooling jacket.

 

[MustGoFast]

So I keep hearing reference to a sale price from fall that I seemed to miss.. how much where they? I don't need one of these, but I like one so maybe the next time there's a deal!

 

[Paradigm]

Sorry for a bit of a necro, but I'm thinking about buying one of these, but I can't find information on the ports. Are the ball valves 1/2" ID NTP?

 

[pvpeacock]

3/4" for the dump ball valve on the bottom and
1/2" for the racking ball valve on the side

 

[Paradigm]

Killer, thanks!

 

[Feurhund]

Fitted mine with triclamp and the sample port from morebeer and love them.

 

[abeasst]

My half barrel continues to pull sanitizer out of my airlock. I refill it and within 2 days its dry again.

 

[Feurhund]

I use a blowoff tube for all my ferments. Good piece of mind and don't have to worry about drying out.

Just make sure you switch to a sanitary air filter if you cold crash.

 

[dschoemaker]

Can use an S lock and sanitizer wont come out.

Dave

 

[Jack_R]

Hey I'm trying to decide between the Chronicle and a 20 gal conical from stout tanks.

1) does anyone have experience with BOTH?

2) could anyone tell me how thick the stainless is on the Chronicle? (Ya I know, "who cares?!"...well I do. A little.)

Thanks ahead of time everyone!

 

[Freddyj123]

Anyone racking to bottles with this chronical

 

[ram5ey]

I've never done that, but I'm sure it would be fine.

 

[Freddyj123]

Thanks ram5ey , I'm considering picking one of these up along with their temp controller as an alternative to building a ferm chamber and having buckets, carboys, etc as I am challenged with limited space and a basement that stays a bit cold during the winter.

The bucket seems a great option, but the chronical seems to have less limitations for not much more expense

 

[Paradigm]

Thanks ram5ey , I'm considering picking one of these up along with their temp controller as an alternative to building a ferm chamber and having buckets, carboys, etc as I am challenged with limited space and a basement that stays a bit cold during the winter.

The bucket seems a great option, but the chronical seems to have less limitations for not much more expense

Look carefully at their temp controller. I was interested in that as well, until I saw "You supply the chill / warm water source..."

Kind of defeats the purpose, imo.

 

[Freddyj123]

So, i contacted SS Brewing Tech through the support on their website and asked about bottling direct from the Chronical Fermentor or Brew bucket, here is their response:

Hi Fred,
So if bottling then you are putting sugar tabs into bottles and then filling straight from conical to bottle?? If you are going to use priming sugar and then stir into your beer, then NOT recommended for either Bucket or Chronical ... I mean even if you dump yeast you'll have some sediment in the fermenter that you'd stir up and put right into your bottles... in either Bucket / Chronical, unless you are using the little sugar tabs you put into the bottles, you'd want to use a bottling bucket first so you can rack off clean beer, then stir in your priming solution THEN bottle from there....
As for diff between conical and Bucket - pls head up to our FAQ area (big red button, any page on site) and see answer there.. many differences really. Just depends on your preferences.
Cheers!
Ssupport

 

[ram5ey]

Yeah I used to bottle directly from my speidel. I used cooper's carbonation drops. Just add them after you fill or it foams.

 

[Freddyj123]

Look carefully at their temp controller. I was interested in that as well, until I saw "You supply the chill / warm water source..."

Kind of defeats the purpose, imo.

I actually have seen several videos where people hook up a couple of lines to cooler and use a fish tank heater to heat the water and ice for cooler..... Looks ok, where heating is going to be my primary concern I'm wondering if others have used a fermentor wrap or heating blanket of some type?