Speidel Fermenter Questions

[cbzdel]

I am looking at picking up a smaller fermenter for 3 gallon batches, so I am thinking about picking up a 20L Speidel Fermenter which is 5.3 gallons. At first I was thinking I would just a 5 gallon bucket but when I seen the Speidel fermenter I really liked the fact it has 2 handles on it and the cost is not unreasonable at all in my opinion.

My questions about this are:

Will this be to large for fermentation of a 3 gallon batch? I typically do not do a secondary, just 2 weeks in a primary then straight into the keg.

What would be the best way to control fermentation temp with this, I have a fermentation chest freezer with the STC1000, so should I just insulate the temp probe and stick it to the side of the fermenter?

For an extra $18 you can get a Chrome Spigot, what would the benefit be to have this? I would understand if it was stainless? Why choose chrome over the plastic valve

Thanks guys!!

 

[Ntwkdsnr]

I have that exact fermenter. I dont see any issue using it for 3-gallon batches. You will have a lot of head room in there. I never got the chrome spigot so I can't comment on it. I just use the plastic one provided. I love having the handles on the sides.
Thanks,
Ed

 

[riceral]

I have that exact fermenter. I dont see any issue using it for 3-gallon batches. You will have a lot of head room in there. I never got the chrome spigot so I can't comment on it. I just use the plastic one provided. I love having the handles on the sides.
Thanks,
Ed

+1 to this. You'll be fine.

 

[paulegli]

What would be the best way to control fermentation temp with this, I have a fermentation chest freezer with the STC1000, so should I just insulate the temp probe and stick it to the side of the fermenter?

I have a 30L Speidel fermentor that fits neatly into one of those dorm room refrigerators. I use a STC1000 as well to control the fridge power and one of those plastic heating wraps. To measure the wort temperature, I started off using a carboy cap with a thermowell in place of the airlock that came with the fermentor. This gave me a good reading, but the cap wasn't gas-tight so I worried about introducing oxygen and bacteria. I ended up drilling a hole through the lid of the fermentor and installing the thermowell using a 3/8" plastic bulkhead fitting from McMaster-Carr. No leaks so far!

 

[cbzdel]

I went ahead and ordered it, I also added on the chromed spigot, mainly because it pushed me over the free shipping order limit at MoreBeer

 

[russell58]

You will not regret ordering it well built and easy to clean. I have use my 20L for 3 gallon batches with no problem. Just received my 30L Speidel last week and can't wait for next brew day.
Enjoy.

Cheers