SS brewtech QC is awful now.

[matt_m]

The sloppy work on the outside is just that, no effect on function. If that was it it would be far easier to clean it up and move on . The dents and dings could be repaired but the scrapes inside are unacceptable.

Stories like this are the biggest reason I haven't dropped the money on upgrading one of my BME Chronicals to a Unitank. I'll probably eventually buy one used when I find one locally.

 

[Broothru]

Man, what a bummer. What a bad, disappointing experience. Especially since you PAID for this item. It wasn't free.

Probably, due to many events, SS gets want they can from the Chinese prison factories. Unfortunately, in this case, bad workmanship.

Contact SS Brewtech and complain about the product received.

Agree. I've settled on them as my major supplier of bling, and there have been maybe 10% of the items I feel have been below the quality I'd hoped for, mostly fit and finish on one kettle (Chronical). It's functional, mostly cosmetic, but still annoying based on the price you pay. I have little doubt that the core issue is with the supply chain in Asia. The folks SS have always been sympathetic and responsive to my concerns and worked to make things right, but still it's their reputation that gets sullied when quality goes south. Hopefully when the pandemic is history and international trade gets back on track, all suppliers of foreign goods (and consumers) will benefit.

I hate to sound nationalistic, but if I had it to do over again I'd probably order from a U.S. domestic fabricator like @Bobby_M, who in my estimation does excellent work with a reputation to match.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

+1 for US domestic fabricator including @Bobby_M

 

[Jako]

Nothing wrong with some American pride. Keeping money local now is important. Bobby is awesome the quality of products and ingenuity top notch.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

And he takes the time at HBT to answer questions where he is not making anything. However, this is phenomenal, intangible, customer relations.

 

[Jako]

I have several of the SS Brewbuckets as they work for me in my setup. I brew 10 gallons and split into 2 of the SS Brewbuckets.

Things I don't like about the Brewbuckets: IMO, the valve is useless. Too small. The inside volume markings are off.

Things I like about the Brewbuckets: They are stainless. They are stackable. Handles on the side for lifting.

Also, give them a very good cleaning with TSP and rinse before first using (all the stainless parts).

Not sure if my first set of pictures show this but according to the markings it's a 13.5 gallon fermenter.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

My experiences with the SS Brewbucket

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/brewtech-brew-bucket-volume-accuracy.673567/
Mine isn't accurate, or at least the 5 Gallon line isn't, it's about 5.2 gallons. I just adjusted my recipes to 5.25 gallon batches to compensate.

Then probably too the 20L is off. Wonder if by the same amount (4%)? This would explain an ongoing volume mystery for me.

I did check the 20 L line on mine when I checked the 5 Gallon, it was slightly more than 5.5 gallons.

Where 20L is approximately 5.28. 4.17% higher than expected. Seems the discrepancy gets worse as the volume increases.

Most interesting. Thanks for posting.

Got 20L = 5.5 gallons

True 20L = 5.28 gallons

(5.5 - 5.28) / 5.28 = 4.17% higher

(5.28 - 5.5) / 5.5 = 4% lower

I measure 25L = 6.6 gallons

6.6 - 4% = 6.34 gallons

 

[MaxStout]

+1 for US domestic fabricator including @Bobby_M

Not everything from China is necessarily bad, but you don't have many options for monitoring the QC of an entity 10,000 miles away. It's a pig in a poke.

If you keep the mfg. close to the vest (i.e., in your community), you have better control over the build quality. Of course, the incoming raw materials are still a variable, but if your supplier contracts are well-drafted you give yourself some room for rejecting non-conforming materials. And NEVER single-source any component--you always want multiple suppliers on your approved vendor list for each component. Supplier A starts cutting quality? You have Supplier B and C to turn to. If you're doing JIT supply chain management, you can quickly pivot.

People like @Bobby_M and @SpikeBrewing are better positioned to watch the quality from front to back. I've purchased a few things from Bobby, and was entirely satisfied with the quality of what arrived on my doorstep. Haven't dealt with Spike yet, but I might be ready to step up in gear down the road.

 

[TechFanMD]

Not everything from China is necessarily bad, but you don't have many options for monitoring the QC of an entity 10,000 miles away. It's a pig in a poke.

If you keep the mfg. close to the vest (i.e., in your community), you have better control over the build quality. Of course, the incoming raw materials are still a variable, but if your supplier contracts are well-drafted you give yourself some room for rejecting non-conforming materials. And NEVER single-source any component--you always want multiple suppliers on your approved vendor list for each component. Supplier A starts cutting quality? You have Supplier B and C to turn to. If you're doing JIT supply chain management, you can quickly pivot.

People like @Bobby_M and @SpikeBrewing are better positioned to watch the quality from front to back. I've purchased a few things from Bobby, and was entirely satisfied with the quality of what arrived on my doorstep. Haven't dealt with Spike yet, but I might be ready to step up in gear down the road.

Except this isn't like buying something from eBay or Alibaba....this is a near-premium priced product purchased from a US vendor regardless of where it is made. They should unpack and inspect every one of them. Just because the factory is '10,000 miles away' doesn't mean the product isn't ever in their custody to check quality and accuracy. These are not drop-shipped from China direct to your door. Where it is made is not an excuse in this case.

 

[Jako]

Update on this.

Ss brewtech replied to my customer support request. This was sent a promotions box and missed by me.

I wasn't asked for more details or asked how I would like to proceed. A replacement was sent and I was asked to send the damaged one back.

Now I will have 2 fermenters to send back. Thought about just sticking with what I ordered but I don't trust the quality.

 

[shoengine]

Bummer about this. I really loved my Brew Bucket and it held me over faithfully until I got my jacketed conical. Zero issues with it too.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Do hope SS Brewtech paid for return shipping.

 

[MaxStout]

Except this isn't like buying something from eBay or Alibaba....this is a near-premium priced product purchased from a US vendor regardless of where it is made. They should unpack and inspect every one of them. Just because the factory is '10,000 miles away' doesn't mean the product isn't ever in their custody to check quality and accuracy. These are not drop-shipped from China direct to your door. Where it is made is not an excuse in this case.

Just because the product is "in their custody," doesn't mean that their QC will necessarily adhere to the specifications of the company contracting the fabrication. Unless the company that hired them demands 100% inspection (all units), and has that written into their contract language, the contractor will only spot check a small percentage before sending them out the door. Lots of goods go through somebody's "custody," yet many times they arrive as non-conforming goods. That is true, whether the distance is 10,000 or 10 miles. I agree, every unit should be inspected. And modern QC methods employ checks along the entire mfg process, not just a final inspection. Crappy welds, bad parts, damage, etc., should be caught in-process before it's shipped to the company. Then, the company should perform its own inspection of each unit that arrives into their inventory, before shipping it to the customer.

My point is not about "where it's made." This isn't a U.S. vs. China dichotomy. It's about the level of control a company has over the processes employed by the contract manufacturer. There are methods of monitoring contract mfrs, like ISO-9000 standards, audits, etc., but those may be out of the reach of most smaller companies. Total Quality Management requires trained eyes to watch throughout the entire process.

 

[Jako]

Do hope SS Brewtech paid for return shipping.

Yeah they have. But I haven't received any shipping information.

My other box has arrived everything in good order well boxed.

So bummed looking at all my parts not able to do anything. I talked to a old friend who said he could fix some of the damage. I'd be willing to make a deal with SS and buy discounted. I need more patience in my life and less projects

 

[Jako]

I've heard some shady practices about Brewtech from Alpha Brewing here in Lincoln, NE. Things happen, that's ok, just as long as they fix it and are genuinely interested in the problem. However I feel Brewtech customer support makes it difficult to get in contact with people.

Are you able to elaborate? Just certain. You can PM me if you don't want to post it on the thread.

 

[Jako]

Just because the product is "in their custody," doesn't mean that their QC will necessarily adhere to the specifications of the company contracting the fabrication. Unless the company that hired them demands 100% inspection (all units), and has that written into their contract language, the contractor will only spot check a small percentage before sending them out the door. Lots of goods go through somebody's "custody," yet many times they arrive as non-conforming goods. That is true, whether the distance is 10,000 or 10 miles. I agree, every unit should be inspected. And modern QC methods employ checks along the entire mfg process, not just a final inspection. Crappy welds, bad parts, damage, etc., should be caught in-process before it's shipped to the company. Then, the company should perform its own inspection of each unit that arrives into their inventory, before shipping it to the customer.

My point is not about "where it's made." This isn't a U.S. vs. China dichotomy. It's about the level of control a company has over the processes employed by the contract manufacturer. There are methods of monitoring contract mfrs, like ISO-9000 standards, audits, etc., but those may be out of the reach of most smaller companies. Total Quality Management requires trained eyes to watch throughout the entire process.

Great post. At lot to agree with.

 

[TechFanMD]

Just because the product is "in their custody," doesn't mean that their QC will necessarily adhere to the specifications of the company contracting the fabrication. Unless the company that hired them demands 100% inspection (all units), and has that written into their contract language, the contractor will only spot check a small percentage before sending them out the door. Lots of goods go through somebody's "custody," yet many times they arrive as non-conforming goods. That is true, whether the distance is 10,000 or 10 miles. I agree, every unit should be inspected. And modern QC methods employ checks along the entire mfg process, not just a final inspection. Crappy welds, bad parts, damage, etc., should be caught in-process before it's shipped to the company. Then, the company should perform its own inspection of each unit that arrives into their inventory, before shipping it to the customer.

My point is not about "where it's made." This isn't a U.S. vs. China dichotomy. It's about the level of control a company has over the processes employed by the contract manufacturer. There are methods of monitoring contract mfrs, like ISO-9000 standards, audits, etc., but those may be out of the reach of most smaller companies. Total Quality Management requires trained eyes to watch throughout the entire process.

I do fully expect a company like this to have someone visually inspect every order before it gets shipped to a customer. For the price paid, this is a minimal expectation. Otherwise you might as well just buy it from somewhere cheap.

 

[Jako]

Struggling to get a decent reply. I have sent a few emails but each reply hardly responds to what I said.

As it looks now I am waiting for my replacement (that I never asked for) while I try to get the customer service to reply to me and either refund me or acknowledge what I have said.

 

[Golddiggie]

Update on this.

Ss brewtech replied to my customer support request. This was sent a promotions box and missed by me.

I wasn't asked for more details or asked how I would like to proceed. A replacement was sent and I was asked to send the damaged one back.

Now I will have 2 fermenters to send back. Thought about just sticking with what I ordered but I don't trust the quality.

IMO, this is a difference between SS Brew Tech and Spike. The rep from Spike either asked me how I wanted to proceed, or informed me before something was sent out (as replacement). The largest item that needed addressing (on my CF10 order) was the chill coils. They wanted them back, and sent me a return ship label for use. Anything else was communicated clearly and addressed quickly and easily. It's why I'm on the cusp of ordering another (this would be #3) CF10 for use here.

 

[MaxStout]

Struggling to get a decent reply. I have sent a few emails but each reply hardly responds to what I said.

As it looks now I am waiting for my replacement (that I never asked for) while I try to get the customer service to reply to me and either refund me or acknowledge what I have said.

You're going to have to ask them leading questions. Something that requires "yes" or "no" answers. It sucks having to do that but sometimes people need to be prodded to give the necessary answers. You shouldn't have to do ping pong with customer support.

 

[The_CuRe]

Just helped a dear friend cook her 1st 1 BBL batch, she has an ss fermentor and it does not have any of this problems, its just pure beauty.

 

[Broothru]

Just helped a dear friend cook her 1st 1 BBL batch, she has an ss fermentor and it does not have any of this problems, its just pure beauty.

Don't mistake my position. I'm very satisfied with the features and performance of my SS Brewtech gear. The individual items do what they're supposed to do.

I've got a Brew Bucket, a Chronical, a Unitank and a glycol chiller, all obtained over a couple of years that mostly occurred before Covid interruptions. I use all of them and don't feel compelled to replace any of them with other brands, but some items were not up to the fit and finish out-of-the-box that I would have expected. Some concerns I corrected on my own, and some I've just decided to live with. But the equipment does everything it's supposed to do in the manner I'd hoped for and paid for. Any shortcomings stem from supply chain issues.

My complaints with SSBT are their QC oversight and their off-shore vendors, not over design, but fabrication. Otherwise I'm satisfied with the gear.

 

[deuc224]

Just because the product is "in their custody," doesn't mean that their QC will necessarily adhere to the specifications of the company contracting the fabrication. Unless the company that hired them demands 100% inspection (all units), and has that written into their contract language, the contractor will only spot check a small percentage before sending them out the door. Lots of goods go through somebody's "custody," yet many times they arrive as non-conforming goods. That is true, whether the distance is 10,000 or 10 miles. I agree, every unit should be inspected. And modern QC methods employ checks along the entire mfg process, not just a final inspection. Crappy welds, bad parts, damage, etc., should be caught in-process before it's shipped to the company. Then, the company should perform its own inspection of each unit that arrives into their inventory, before shipping it to the customer.

My point is not about "where it's made." This isn't a U.S. vs. China dichotomy. It's about the level of control a company has over the processes employed by the contract manufacturer. There are methods of monitoring contract mfrs, like ISO-9000 standards, audits, etc., but those may be out of the reach of most smaller companies. Total Quality Management requires trained eyes to watch throughout the entire process.

This is so true. I just bought a spikes cf15 and no lie im impressed with the quality of work, very well made and no dust welds at all, you can tell they polish the dog s*$t out of it to make sure the welds are super smooth.

Now on the flipside, I just ordered and received something from China, if you order thru alibaba, you can pay an extra 50 bucks and monitor everything. The communication i had from them was superb and the item i ordered looks wise is extremely well made, ill dig deeper into it and clean it later this week and see what i can find wrong with it. I have 40 days to ship it back on their dime if im not happy with it, but so far, im elated with it, now let me give it a cleaning and see if i can find anything wrong with it.

 

[Bramling Cross]

I’m not pissed enough to send it back (I finally got a UPS driver that was willing to deliver to my neighborhood after two tries. UPS drivers are allowed to decide that they don't want to deliver to your neighborhood because it's too dangerous) but I am pissed enough to pour some gas on this fire.

This is the recirculation manifold for the infusion mash tun. Nice dent we have there. There’s also a cracked weld on the bottom and all kinds of nasty tool marks on the bottom. The packaging was in pristine condition upon arrival, so this isn’t shipping damage. They shipped this trash and charged me 54 bucks for it. That said, none of that should affect the performance of the device. I’ll try it out this weekend. Still, come on! You charge a premium price, you need to deliver a premium product.

I think I’m done with SSbrewtech.

 

[ChihuahuaTN]

I would definitely want to sent that chronicle BACK it looks nothing like mine. Having said that I have multiple SSBT brew buckets/ mash tons ect..... I have never had an issue with QC from my perspective. I am also hard on my gear generally in life and will continue to buy SSBT products. I have replaced o-rings and 2x digital temp gauges but thats about it and I brew every other weekend (over the last 3 years). SSBT has been very responsive to my emails and my requests to their credit. I am am sure QC has items that slip threw the cracks it happens. I have also had multiple unanswered emails from "American makers/fabricators" in the past few years. I hope your issue gets resolved......

 

[Jako]

You're going to have to ask them leading questions. Something that requires "yes" or "no" answers. It sucks having to do that but sometimes people need to be prodded to give the necessary answers. You shouldn't have to do ping pong with customer support.

Looks like I definitely need to. My fermenter never arrived today address was incorrect not my fault.

The blow off tube is welded crooked. Not sure if it's the design of the 10G fermenter but the butterfly valve can't be attached straight on the dump valve since it hits the leg of the fermenter. *Edit* I went to look at the butterfly valve on the website. Looks like I have it oriented wrong.

I hate to keep beating a dead horse at this point so I will just leave it at that for now. Just wanted to follow up as today I was expecting the replacement I never asked for.

My LHBS is a spike dealer so I stopped by to look at the spike fermenters. Worth the hour drive to the store and back. Thinking I will just place an order with them so we all win.

 

[SpikeBrewing]

My LHBS is a spike dealer so I stopped by to look at the spike fermenters. Worth the hour drive to the store and back. Thinking I will just place an order with them so we all win.

We'd love to hear back on how our fermenter stacks up against the competition!

 

[Jako]

We'd love to hear back on how our fermenter stacks up against the competition!

Yeah that would be awesome. Once it's all worked out I will do a review and comparison thread.

 

[oakbarn]

Years ago I worked for a major Oil Company.

We only used IBM computer equipment.

I got a Tape Backup that was bad. I had to send it back to be fixed. When I got it back, I tried to insert a tape cassette. The spindle was "UP" in side the machine. There was a lever on the front that controlled the spindle. I move the lever and the spindle went "Down" but now the lever blocked the entrance.

We were also having about a 30% bad out of the box issues with PS2 computers. They switched to Dell and IBM lost a major customer (1000s of PCs about every 2 years).

A bad reputation and poor product control can kill a business.

 

[Jako]

Okay I need some honest advice. Second one arrived today. It's marginally better. At least the chilling coil arrived attached so no damage.

But am I being overly sensitive to the quality of welds and final finish? I will save the long story and me with awful grammar trying to explain it all once more. If I am being too picky let me know, it's hard to not become so emotionally invested in something so expensive.

I think the fermenters sit outside at one point or another before final packing. This thing is filthy and it arrived with some bird poop free of charge.

I added a picture of the blow off cane. I had the old fermenter mocked up and out in the living room. Every day I would see how crooked it was welded and driving myself mad I had to share.