SS BrewTech Opinions

[Beerman213]

Hello everyone!!

I have been brewing for several years and have used first glass and now PET type carboys. I absolutely HATE cleaning them. I purchased Marks Carboy Cleaner and it does an ok job. I typically just end up soaking them with PBW. Anyway, a buddy purchased a SS BrewTech Brew Bucket and I think it's a great way to go. My problem is that I am a consistent 10 gallon batch brewer. I will split the batch into two carboys and occasionally pitch two different yeasts or dry hop with two different hops...you get the idea.

Now when researching the SS BrewTech, they have a 7 gallon and coming soon a 14 gallon brew bucket. My questions is, would you purchase two 7 gallon or one 14 gallon? I'm not rich, but lets say that money isn't necessarily an issue if you save and save. One other caveat is the temperature control system that they offer. If I purchase two 7 gallon, I may want to get Temperature control which would drive two temp controllers on top of the two brew buckets as opposed to one 14 gallon brew bucket and one temperature controller.

Hopefully I'm making sense, basically, I'm asking what would you do? Would you purchase two 7 gallon brew buckets and two temp controllers or would you buy one 14 gallon brew bucket and one temp controller?

My original idea was to purchase 4 brew buckets to replace the 4 carboys that I'm currently using. I saw the temp controllers and they peaked my interest but would drive the price up considerably if I purchased four of them.

Any inputs would be much appreciated. Enjoy your holidays!

Walt

Links for reference

7 Gal Brew Bucket
http://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/fermenters/products/brewbucket

7 Gal Temp Controller
http://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/ftss/products/ftss-temp-control-for-7-gallon-bucket-chronical

14 Gal Brew Bucket
http://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/fermenters/products/brewmaster-bucket-14-gal

15 Gal Temp Controller
http://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/ftss/products/ftss-temp-control-for-brew-bucket-14-gal

 

[NeoBrew]

The answer really seems to lie in what you want to do. From your description you like variety, and I would surmise you do not mind the extra work to fiddle with splitting a batch and trying different things with each 1/2.

So, if money is not an issue, then get two whole setups.

For me, I love to brew and do it as often as I can manage. Time is a scarce resource for me, so I would value the simplicity of only one system to maintain and one batch to move through the process. (For disclosure I only do 5 gallon batches.)

My other thought for you would be, if you can afford two brew buckets with temp control, you could get yourself a larger single conical for a similar price. Why not just go for it and get into that kind of system?

 

[milldoggy]

4 brew buckets and a freezer. The buckets stack on each other. The weight of 10+ gallons starts to complicate moving things around.

 

[Beerman213]

Both very good points.

A full 14 gal bucket would be about 120lbs. That would be quite the carry. I do brew in the garage and live in a one level house. I would have to have wheels for that contraption and make a ramp of sorts. Then to get it high enough to gravity transfer into a keg. Definitely things to think about.

The freezer is a good idea too I just don't know that I have the room out on the garage. Perhaps with some re-organization I may be able to get a giant freezer that would house all the buckets. I guess I would only need to house two buckets at a time though.

It's one thing to think about what you want to do and mull over it day after day but to put it into words and share it with other brewers and get their opinions is where I need to be on this topic. I've probably thought of all these situations and ways of doing things but to hear from others that they are good ideas or bad ideas or different ways of thinking about them is much appreciated!

Walt

 

[Horseflesh]

I too would be leery of trying to move a 14 gal fermenter. Their cooling gear, while nice, is also pretty expensive. I'd much prefer multiple 7 gal fermenters in a more affordable fridge... or two. It just seems like a lot of work and expense to do a 14 gal fermenter the "right" way.

 

[milldoggy]

I just moved from two 6 gallon pet carboys to a14 gallon conical for ten gallon batches. Lifting and moving it takes work and I am a 6'1" in shape person. It is heavy and akward. I do like the conical, but miss spliting batch and using different yeast

 

[jekeane]

I have several brew buckets and love them. I would always go with the option to split into 2 over 1, but that is how I brew. I almost always want to split a 10 gallon batch with different yeasts.