I assume he means a conical with a yeast dump on the bottom. Like the CF5 or a chronical, I know I have been on the fence with that decision.
I was debating on the same thing . By the time I added the accessories to it was not much cheaper then the cf5 . I've been very happy with my decision to go with the cf5 .
Searched and didn’t find any recent threads. Anyone with a flex plus wish they would have gone with a conical instead? Any other thoughts after putting some brews through it?
Searched and didn’t find any recent threads. Anyone with a flex plus wish they would have gone with a conical instead? Any other thoughts after putting some brews through it?
I just ordered a flex with long extension legs and plan on having a 1.5” tc welded to the bottom of the cone to add a dump valve to it. This way is considerably cheaper than the cf5. The tc fitting was only a few dollars. My brother is a welder and is gonna slap it on for free, but I think it wouldn’t be too expensive to get done at a shop. I know that this is kinda a waste of time and effort for some, but for me, the additional cost for the cf5 is enough for me to find a cheaper route for what I want. Right now I’ve got about $350 invested into the flex and parts and will add another $75 for valves and fittings, but as I see it I’m still ahead versus buying a cf5. Also, I can completely disassemble the flex and store everything inside for a smaller footprint.
I agree having the dump valve is the whole purpose of a conical bottom and is the benefit of a conical to be able to use it for primary and secondary without transferring.. When I look at the flex I think SS brewbucket... a space saving compromise for those who want stainless more than the ability to improve the process and beer without transferring. Just my 2 cents though... I think anyone on the fence should talk to a brewer at their local brewery and ask them which they think is superior and why because its would be a unanimous recommendation for the CF series.. If cost is that big of a concern personally I would take a plastic conical with a dump valve over a stainless bucket but again that just me and I realize due to fermenter chamber size and other variances between setups its not the same situation for everyone.Myself, I think the extra cost of the CF5 would be worth it if you're wanting a dump valve. The other bonus is the dedicated ports you also get for temp gauge and sample valve. With the Flex Plus, you only have one port to swap between the two.
I'd love to see pics of your modified Flex Plus when you get done.
I agree having the dump valve is the whole purpose of a conical bottom and is the benefit of a conical to be able to use it for primary and secondary without transferring.. When I look at the flex I think SS brewbucket... a space saving compromise for those who want stainless more than the ability to improve the process and beer without transferring. Just my 2 cents though... I think anyone on the fence should talk to a brewer at their local brewery and ask them which they think is superior and why because its would be a unanimous recommendation for the CF series.. If cost is that big of a concern personally I would take a plastic conical with a dump valve over a stainless bucket but again that just me and I realize due to fermenter chamber size and other variances between setups its not the same situation for everyone.
Understood but just because you dont know what your missing doesnt mean you arent still missing out on the advantages of having them...Exactly. As noted, there was only a $163 difference between the Plus and CF5 after outfitting them with some of the same extras. The Black Friday sale made the Plus almost half the cost of the CF5.
As for the plastic conical vs stainless bucket....I'd rather have the bucket. I've yet to own a fermentation vessel with a dump valve, so that's not a loss for me.
Understood but just because you dont know what your missing doesnt mean you arent still missing out on the advantages of having them...
As long as you're aware that all you've added is a center drain valve and you won't be able do dump anything during fermentation then yes, it's definitely a bargain.I just ordered a flex with long extension legs and plan on having a 1.5” tc welded to the bottom of the cone to add a dump valve to it. This way is considerably cheaper than the cf5. The tc fitting was only a few dollars. My brother is a welder and is gonna slap it on for free, but I think it wouldn’t be too expensive to get done at a shop. I know that this is kinda a waste of time and effort for some, but for me, the additional cost for the cf5 is enough for me to find a cheaper route for what I want. Right now I’ve got about $350 invested into the flex and parts and will add another $75 for valves and fittings, but as I see it I’m still ahead versus buying a cf5. Also, I can completely disassemble the flex and store everything inside for a smaller footprint.
I really dont want to be the negative Nancy here. But For discussions sake about the above statement. Being able to remove the dead yeast and trub for clearer beer (and removing the likely hood of autolysis for a cleaner flavor) is the main point of a true conical bottom though, not necessarily harvesting yeast. Also the deeper conical bottoms reduce the surface area of dead or dorment yeast in contact with the beer at any given time during fermentation. I am not saying you cant make great beer with the flex or its counterparts like the chapman, brewbucket and avil fermenter, Just that theres more to the advantages of a conical fermenter than collecting yeast for reuse and thats why breweries use them and also why most of spikes more expensive options are them...I got a flex when they first came out and got a flex plus at the 20% sale. I top crop yeast so the dump is not important to me. what is important is clarity. I can cold crash the flex/flex+ in my fridge I drain into a mason jar to find clear beer I then use that position to transfer to bottling bucket
If functionality vs cost is a factor you had other options like this which would have actually saved you money...I just ordered a flex with long extension legs and plan on having a 1.5” tc welded to the bottom of the cone to add a dump valve to it. This way is considerably cheaper than the cf5. The tc fitting was only a few dollars. My brother is a welder and is gonna slap it on for free, but I think it wouldn’t be too expensive to get done at a shop. I know that this is kinda a waste of time and effort for some, but for me, the additional cost for the cf5 is enough for me to find a cheaper route for what I want. Right now I’ve got about $350 invested into the flex and parts and will add another $75 for valves and fittings, but as I see it I’m still ahead versus buying a cf5. Also, I can completely disassemble the flex and store everything inside for a smaller footprint.
I really dont want to be the negative Nancy here. But For discussions sake about the above statement. Being able to remove the dead yeast and trub for clearer beer (and removing the likely hood of autolysis for a cleaner flavor) is the main point of a true conical bottom though, not necessarily harvesting yeast. Also the deeper conical bottoms reduce the surface area of dead or dorment yeast in contact with the beer at any given time during fermentation. I am not saying you cant make great beer with the flex or its counterparts like the chapman, brewbucket and avil fermenter, Just that theres more to the advantages of a conical fermenter than collecting yeast for reuse and thats why breweries use them and also why most of spikes more expensive options are them...
The flex is honestly a miniture version of what would normally be sold as a brite tank in the nano or brewery equipment world... I have 3- 3bbl stainless versions of the virtually the exact same thing at the brewpub but we do our fermentation in a plastic conical first because of the reasons I just mentioned..
Depends on the style of beer and what your after. The monks also sometimes do open fermentation but they dont do it with every style.. that type of fermenter has limitations. The brewery in Belgium I visited used conicals.I brew belgians and the monks seem to do okay with horizontal fermentors. The flex allows one to leave the trub in the fermentor easily making for clear beer. Autolysis isn't really a thing for 5 gallon batches in my mind
is the cf5 an upgrade, of course. Now you just got wondering if people in key west need heated seats
true I mean Chimay switched to conicals and now are believed to have a decrease in qualityDepends on the style of beer and what your after. The monks also sometimes do open fermentation but they dont do it with every style.. that type of fermenter has limitations. The brewery in Belgium I visited used conicals.
I never toured chimay (although I did bring some home a few years back and compared it with locally obtained chimay along with other brands and found the stuff that makes its way to the states through proper channels is pretty skunky from the 6 week average in hot storage containers on the ocean so many in the states dont realize what it supposed to taste like anyway.)true I mean Chimay switched to conicals and now are believed to have a decrease in quality
no worriesI never toured chimay (although I did bring some home a few years back and compared it with locally obtained chimay along with other brands and found the stuff that makes its way to the states through proper channels is pretty skunky from the 6 week average in hot storage containers on the ocean so many in the states dont realize what it supposed to taste like anyway.)
I realize your just trying to argue a point here but again that style of beer and those results are not typical or relevant to this discussion as the results would not likely be any different with the flex vs using a conical and not dumping right? Are the monks using pressurized fermenters? BTW thanks for this comment because you reinforced what I was trying to say about a fermenter having an effect on the beer it produces depending on how they are used and limitations..
In this case the flex is limited to being the same as the cf5 being compared in functionality if the dump valve is not used but at the same time gives advantages on beer styles such as IPAs or lagers where one would certainly want to use it. Ironically the cf5 is MORE flexible that the flex as far as options and flexibility of use short of size when used in a size limiting chamber.
This lack of a functional conical drain bottom is due to size and price constrictions here they were not excluded for any other reason related to the quality of the beer made. The flex is literally a mini brite tank by design (only those also have center drains) giving it advantages over other bucket style fermenters that wont hold pressure but disadvantages against the more expensive stainless or cheaper plastic dedicated fermenters spike or others sells that should be discussed good or bad for people to compare.
... Im sure their sours would taste different too if they stopped using open attic coolship type fermenters... I doubt there are a lot of folks reading this thread that are exclusively brewing one of these unique styles that any change after centuries would be considered negative regardless but point made... I guess im referring to the vast majority of the beer styles were brewers want cleaner fermentation and beer. I bet many of the brewers using these are even taking steps to keep the trub out of the beer not realizing that with a conical and dump valve a person could wait for it to settle to the bottom of the conical and easily dump it all from the bottom an hour after its been filled. Lastly, My comments here are for the folks reading and comparing. Those trying to decide and weighing a conical vs a bucket style. not for those who already made their decision. In hindsight I normally know better than to discuss things like this in a thread intended for owners despite it being the first place potential buyers would look for feedback. There are two similar threads going on and To be honest I didnt pay much attention to which was which since the same conversation more or less was going on in both but I would have otherwise been more and cautious. Sorry if this comparision or information is bothering anyone who doesnt want to hear it. I will refrain from derailing the thread any further than I apparently already have.
I didnt mean to be "that guy" who brings beer to the party only serving hard seltzer and bud here..
I reviewed the flex+ on spikes site and mentioned that the clear 4" lid doesn't seal. A few days later Spike emailed me and had already shipped me a new style gasket made of a different material that they say solves the issue. This is without a formal complaint or email on my part.
That is EXCELLENT customer service imo.
I am on my second batch using the base model flex with a glass cap. I used a 3-piece airlock on the first and an S on the second. I never saw a bubble in the first and so far have not seen one on the second, either. Looks like I need the newer gasket as well.
There is no real risk to my beer under this scenario, is there? I've not tried a pressurized transfer nor much of anything else so far.
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