Super Simple 15G Plastic Conical

[felixsth]

could you send the link to the PP bulkhead, just to be sure to buy the right thing,

Thank you

 

[Shockerengr]

is there a reason why a plastic PVC ball valve and threaded nipple can't be used instead of the stainless steel?

I like the idea of a decent conical for cheap... A little overkill for me now but if I ever goto 10 gallon batches... Would look pretty cool to have 5 of these lined up on a big rack!

I'm using PVC parts for mine. I figured if the whole conical was plastic, what's the big deal with the valve being plastic.

I do make sure to thoroughly clean the fermentor out immediately after use and spray down with starsan for storage tho to minimize anything that might start on the plastic bits.

 

[Squeeky]

I agree with Shockerengr I think plastic would work just fine, as long as its food safe. I just figured stainless is pretty. Plus with the funds saved on the conical I can spend the extra $10 for a stainless ball valve.

I actually ended up ordering my conical and bulkhead from OhioValleyAG. I had been trying to find the cheapest price. I assumed they were located in Ohio, however they are not so it shipped from IN. I have worked in retail management for the last 10 years, I called to confirm it has 1-1/2" FPT bottom. The person I spoke with said the spec sheet claimed it did, but actually went to the warehouse to confirm in person.

http://www.ohiovalleyag.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=48_168&products_id=1750

Tank Link
http://www.ohiovalleyag.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=48_49&products_id=107

Also use promo code FACEBOOK5 to save an extra 5%.

 

[rekoob]

subscribed.

I am not ready for this type of build at this time, turned my small chest freezer into a keezer and just finished a brutus single teir using three kegs that I am still tweeking, but... will add it to my ever growing list of crazy nice builds from HBT!!!

Thanks for posting!

 

[KevinFettig]

On Sale Now No Shipping
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270685414452&ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:US:1123

 

[rack04]

Has anyone verified that the lid is air tight?

 

[Squeeky]

The lid by default is not air tight. I believe it's sold as air tight but in several other threads I've read that is not the case. Therefore I doubt you would be able to pressurize, however a small about of weather stripping or something else that might be safer around the lid might solve the problems. Mine is currently in transit I'll attempt to post pictures and tighten the lid, turn upside down and see if the lid is atleast liquid tight.

 

[camiller]

Interesting, the manufacturer is in Hospers IA, about 2.5 hours north of Omaha, NE. camiller begins plotting how to get this past the wife ...

 

[Squeeky]

Just checked tracking, my conical is at my doorstep. Quick if you hurry you can steal it before I get off work !

 

[camiller]

how would you heat/cool something like this?

at 19" in diameter I think you could fit a couple (may be a tight fit) in a full sized fridge. Certainly one will fit.

 

[camiller]

Have to admit, I'm not real keen on the idea of the yeast catcher. With the enclosed yeast catcher container there is basically a quart of air that has to be displaced, and the only place for it to go is back up into the fermentor. Seems like just sticking a pitcher under the outlet would be better from an oxygen contact with the beer perspective. Yes, you will have to let some air in the top while drawing out the yeast but the relatively heavier CO2 in the headspace will mostly keep it away. letting it bubble up through the beer seems ... undesirable.

 

[nostalgia]

For the record, the manufacturer's website states:

Our tanks are made from polyethylene. Bisphenol A (BPA) is not used as a component in the manufacture of polyethylene. BPA is primarily used in polycarbonate and in expoxies used to line cans. Polyethylene does not leach chemicals and has been used for direct food contact for many years.

Kind of waffles around whether or not they're food safe, but there it is. Also, the tanks are made from Medium Density PolyEthelyne, not HDPE.

Either way, cool project

-Joe

 

[Squeeky]

Inductor tank delivered. Ive seen on other post that tank-depot ships theirs in a box. This one just came with the label taped to the side and foam padding around the openning. Lid is not air tight, but I just have to find a gasket. Although for fermenting air tight is not required. In all im please just what I expected for 50 bucks. Now to wait on nipple and valve.

 

[Squeeky]

**** just realize this is not a full drain model! I dont think it will cause much of an issue but let me know what you guys think.

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

**** just realize this is not a full drain model! I dont think it will cause much of an issue but let me know what you guys think.

Not sure if it makes much of a difference! My 15 gallon is a full drain and the 30 gallon has the bulkhead you show earlier in the thread
Ehh, don't lose no sleep over it

Sent from my iPhone using HB Talk

 

[Squeeky]

Thanks for the calming words SpottedDog, the only issue I've spent the money on the 1-1/2" fittings. You know in our PMs when you said wait till you get the conical then order your fittings . . .

Now it's time to really test their customer service as I sent an e-mail reguarding the issue. It would be one thing if it was my mistake (which partly it might be) but I called and gentleman even want and checked to confirm. I should have just ordered over the phone then and not saved the extra 5%.

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Thanks for the calming words SpottedDog, the only issue I've spent the money on the 1-1/2" fittings. You know in our PMs when you said wait till you get the conical then order your fittings . . .

Now it's time to really test their customer service as I sent an e-mail reguarding the issue. It would be one thing if it was my mistake (which partly it might be) but I called and gentleman even want and checked to confirm. I should have just ordered over the phone then and not saved the extra 5%.

Take a look at the bulkhead, what size is it that came with the tank? I know the 30 gallon size bulkhead required a 2" nipple. Cross your fingers and hope the 15 gallon came with the 1-1/2" opening :-/

Sent from my iPhone using HB Talk

 

[Squeeky]

Nope it over 2.5 in wide so I would assume 2in fpt

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Nope it over 2.5 in wide so I would assume 2in fpt

eBay it or post it in HBT classifieds

Sent from my iPhone using HB Talk

 

[sensibull]

eBay it or post it in HBT classifieds

Or sell the fittings and forge ahead, so those of us with a 2" bulkhead can copy you without having to think too much

 

[FSR402]

The 2 inch will work better anyways. Change out the fittings you have and sell them here to someone that got the 1.5.

 

[tdiowa]

I have been using these tanks for four years. I now have (3) 10 gallon tanks for my 8 gallon batches. After the mods on the tank and building my own stand I have about 100.00 dollars in them. Great for yeast harvest and put a second spicket for bottling.

I emailed them last summer and asked them if they would make a 7.5 gallon tank. I haven't reeived a response.

TD

 

[Squeeky]

Look what arrived in my inbox only minutes after their business opened. Top Notch customer service by OhioValleyAG - Jarrod.

-
Mr. Ritchie,

Sorry for the inconvenience. It appears you want the INFD15-19 full drain tank which we do not list this product online. We will issue a call tag for pickup and send you the right tank out today. The pickup will be within approx. 2 days.
-

Since I now know the full drain model is not available through the website, I have asked the best means in which I can send customers their way to order this model. I'll post back when I get a response.

FSR402,

I really wanted to full drain 1-1/2" model, not only because the fittings are cheaper, but the 2" model has a large lip around the drain in which yeast and trub can easily get trapped and more difficult to clean. It only took 2 days for the tank to arrive, if there is a chance I have both in hand at the same time I'll try and take comparison photos.

 

[Surly]

Just checked tracking, my conical is at my doorstep. Quick if you hurry you can steal it before I get off work !

The least you could have done was to include your address. Good luck with your build.

 

[FSR402]

Have to admit, I'm not real keen on the idea of the yeast catcher. With the enclosed yeast catcher container there is basically a quart of air that has to be displaced, and the only place for it to go is back up into the fermentor. Seems like just sticking a pitcher under the outlet would be better from an oxygen contact with the beer perspective. Yes, you will have to let some air in the top while drawing out the yeast but the relatively heavier CO2 in the headspace will mostly keep it away. letting it bubble up through the beer seems ... undesirable.

I believe the idea is that you have the valve open when you fill the fermenter and thus leave it open until you want to pull the yeast. Close, remove yeast trap.

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Have to admit, I'm not real keen on the idea of the yeast catcher. With the enclosed yeast catcher container there is basically a quart of air that has to be displaced, and the only place for it to go is back up into the fermentor. Seems like just sticking a pitcher under the outlet would be better from an oxygen contact with the beer perspective. Yes, you will have to let some air in the top while drawing out the yeast but the relatively heavier CO2 in the headspace will mostly keep it away. letting it bubble up through the beer seems ... undesirable.

I brewed a few times without the yeast catcher and what happens is the yeast/shrub end up packing down on the inside of the vessel up against the ball valve and you have either 2 of things happen:

1- ABSOLUTLY NOTHING COMES OUT because the yeast/shrub has formed a barrier up against the ball valve at bottom

2- Almost similar to #1, but all you get is good fermented beer and NO yeast/scrub comes out.



The reason I built the yeast collecter was to have everything settle below the vessle and ballvalve so senerio #1 and #2 don't happen You will waste alot of potential beer if you don't limit what comes out the bottom.

:rockin:

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Look what arrived in my inbox only minutes after their business opened. Top Notch customer service by OhioValleyAG - Jarrod.

-
Mr. Ritchie,

Sorry for the inconvenience. It appears you want the INFD15-19 full drain tank which we do not list this product online. We will issue a call tag for pickup and send you the right tank out today. The pickup will be within approx. 2 days.
-

Since I now know the full drain model is not available through the website, I have asked the best means in which I can send customers their way to order this model. I'll post back when I get a response.

FSR402,

I really wanted to full drain 1-1/2" model, not only because the fittings are cheaper, but the 2" model has a large lip around the drain in which yeast and trub can easily get trapped and more difficult to clean. It only took 2 days for the tank to arrive, if there is a chance I have both in hand at the same time I'll try and take comparison photos.

AWESOME :rockin:

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Hmmmm: http://newstore.vvessel.com/

This is for all the non-believers!!!
The plastic and yeast catcher concepts are OK!

 

[FSR402]

Hmmmm: http://newstore.vvessel.com/

Yes same idea but from what I hear the port and the ball are to small and they just plug up.

 

[camiller]

I believe the idea is that you have the valve open when you fill the fermenter and thus leave it open until you want to pull the yeast. Close, remove yeast trap.

I brewed a few times without the yeast catcher and what happens is the yeast/shrub end up packing down on the inside of the vessel up against the ball valve and you have either 2 of things happen:

1- ABSOLUTLY NOTHING COMES OUT because the yeast/shrub has formed a barrier up against the ball valve at bottom

2- Almost similar to #1, but all you get is good fermented beer and NO yeast/scrub comes out.



The reason I built the yeast collecter was to have everything settle below the vessle and ballvalve so senerio #1 and #2 don't happen You will waste alot of potential beer if you don't limit what comes out the bottom.

:rockin:

OK, I'm slow, thanks for clarifying.