Stainless Conical Fermenter from Bitter Creek Homebrew: Review ala Boerderij Kabouter

[SuperiorBrew]

I hope you had them correct their welding issues first, we are having issues/communication problems with them on that front and I wasn't going to take a load of them like they have been sending.

I ordered two 150 liter stainless fermenters directly from china. A place I may name later. The fermenters should be arriving in Chicago this weekend and I will go pick them up. There has been some issues with shipping. I prepaid for shipping to Chicago and now they are trying to charge me for that. I will let you know if the company is honest and if there are extra fees. If chicompany.net sees this then please email me as well to find out the outcome if you plan on dealing with this group. I hope they are going to make this right.

 

[P-Lay]

I hope you had them correct their welding issues first, we are having issues/communication problems with them on that front and I wasn't going to take a load of them like they have been sending.

What kind of welding issues? The rouge spots mentioned a while ago?

 

[bierstein]

Looks like the MoreBeer conicals are coming out soon. I think I'm glad I waited. 1.5" dump valve! Just hope the price isn't too steep.

http://morebeer.com/content/pressurizable_homebrew_conical?code=MBTNOV2009NL

 

[cherrman]

Would say a few things. I got my two fermenters. Customs cost about $200 to get them into the US. I didn't expect that fee. They are beautiful fermenters. The internal welds look similar to the ones in this post. I don't think that will be an issue. They aren't rough. I mean, they are putting two separate pieces of stainless together. It is super heavy duty and the valves are awesome. Will try to post more if there are quests. WOuld say I got two for the price of one if you compare to the fermenator. I haven't seen anywhere that the fermentator from blichman is made in the US either.

 

[BrewBeemer]

Looks like the MoreBeer conicals are coming out soon. I think I'm glad I waited. 1.5" dump valve! Just hope the price isn't too steep.

http://morebeer.com/content/pressurizable_homebrew_conical?code=MBTNOV2009NL

Nice fermenters but $1,070 is rather steep for their older CON360 bare sided 24 gallon unit. High on the wish list yes.

 

[BrewBeemer]

Would say a few things. I got my two fermenters. Customs cost about $200 to get them into the US. I didn't expect that fee. They are beautiful fermenters. The internal welds look similar to the ones in this post. I haven't seen anywhere that the fermentator from blichman is made in the US either.

Wow they nailed ya big time on customs, that for both or each? Either way that sucks. Same as ordering items out of state as some states add sales tax vs others do not, another rip.

On the Blichman's I would think they would be proud to state their fermenters are made in the U.S.A. if they were. I bet not unless proven otherwise.

 

[cherrman]

IT was $200 total for customs. This is because to get the items into a port -- I used Chicago, you have to have a shipping company accept them. They then trasnport it to their warehouse. There you have four days to pick it up or they start charging by the day. It was like a $50 fee for a power of attorney, $100 for the paperwok and $50 for loading and to the warehouse. That added about $100/fermenter. But we are talking about 40 gallon fermenters. They are like $1400 each from blichman. Saw a few from the chinese sites that were identical to blichman, never got prices becaue I prefer the design and aesthetics of the fermenters from this post.

 

[SuperiorBrew]

Saw a few from the chinese sites that were identical to blichman, never got prices becaue I prefer the design and aesthetics of the fermenters from this post.

Those are usually stolen pics right off the Blichman site, sometimes they actually hyperling right to Blichmans pic's.
I dont know if they are just trying to get your money or saying that they can make one exactly like blichamns, either way I would stay away from those companies.

 

[GuateBrewer]

I ordered two 150 liter stainless fermenters directly from china. A place I may name later. The fermenters should be arriving in Chicago this weekend and I will go pick them up. There has been some issues with shipping. I prepaid for shipping to Chicago and now they are trying to charge me for that. I will let you know if the company is honest and if there are extra fees. If chicompany.net sees this then please email me as well to find out the outcome if you plan on dealing with this group. I hope they are going to make this right.

Why the secret on the supplier - its a matter of public record.

CHerrman Us 1 10/20/2009 156 Kg
From port: Ningpo, China
To port: Illinois International Port District, Chicago, Illinois Beer Fermentation Tank
Zhejiang Dayu

 

[gbrewing]

I spent 20 minutes reading this entire post. It took me 30 seconds to find the source. Not sure why this hasn't been posted yet. Here is the link. Not really custom made.. Just imported and resold.

http://zjdayu.en.china.cn/selling-leads/detail,1073908190,conical-beer-fermenter.html

While were at it, we can add a fermentation box.

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/246244917/Fermentation_box_WFX_12_.html

 

[jspence1]

Actually if you look at the photos in the review you can clearly see that it has been customized.

 

[gbrewing]

There are numerous versions available. This was a quick search. I notice the legs are a bit different on the link I showed. If you do a search on china stainless fermentor, you will come up with numerous suppliers and models along with various sizes.

 

[P-Lay]

Hi everyone. I wanted to let anyone following this thread to know that I'm selling a 65L Jacketed Conical Fermenter from the same manufacturer. Please see my thread in the classifieds section for more info. Have a great day.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f16/jacketed-stainless-steel-conical-fermenter-149688/

 

[smmcdermott]

so in all seriousness (b/c I am curious and do not know much about the process) can we expect to get a price anytime soon?

 

[jspence1]

Any Update on this project? I'm deciding between the homebrewers conference and a equipment upgrade.

 

[TheCHICompany]

They are building the revised units now.
Matt
PS: good luck bring over individual units at a time...
High /unit cost
Shipping = 100 of $s
CUSTOMS...our units had a two week hold for X-Ray examinations....yep...they look like mini-nukes to us!

 

[arturo7]

This thread is worthless without pricing.

 

[BrewBeemer]

Matt; is that the 65L units they're working on for you?
What would be the price of a 65L non jacketed?
Being in the bay Area this would be a no shipping item I can pick it up.
I must thank you for the many corny's I purchased from you.
Take care and have a safe holiday. Carl on a island.

 

[danderson42]

Hi Matt - any progress? Your website says end of January...

 

[Boar Beer]

did we ever see pricing?

I am looking for a 2bbl jacked fermenter
I like the looks of these units

 

[SuperiorBrew]

I dropped my project with this company ages ago, to say they were less than honest and strange things happened quality wise would be an understatement.

 

[Boar Beer]

Thanks for the update. I deal with China everyday and your results are common. Its a lot of work/risk and you have to be willing to spend time in China.

 

[zshenry]

One thing that might be of concern...as these are imported at a low cost from China, would be the presence of lead in the steel.