Super Simple 15G Plastic Conical

[chrisdb]

I got 2 roto-mold 15G conicals, 1 1/2 polypropolene banjo valves and 1 1/2 nipples. I haven't found the smaller banjo valves you are using for racking ports but my local homebrew shop can hook me up with SS at a good price. I'm gonna make a trub/yeast catcher and see where i need to place the racking valve for a 'typical' 1.060+ brew before i cut a hole in the conical. I'm not doing anything extra to seal the lid. I think that no 'wild yeast' is going to make it through the threaded connection from conical lid, and if the belgian brewers can brew in opent tanks, then I can trust that the CO2 blanket on top of the wort is enough to keep my beer from harm in this conical.

 

[rod734]

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

Has anyone used one of these valves yet. Mine arrived yesterday and as I suspected the flow is reduced quite a bit, looks like about 3/4. It's a good looking valve, but I'm afraid it's going to have problems with clogging.
I'm thinking about sealing my lid and running a blow off tube into a sanitized bucket with an airlock to catch the krausen. If I extend the blow off tube down close to the surface of the beer I can reduce the trub and top crop yeast at the same time. I thought of putting some boiled or distilled water in the blow off bucket. Anyone see any drawbacks to this idea.

 

[sensibull]

Has anyone used one of these valves yet. Mine arrived yesterday and as I suspected the flow is reduced quite a bit, looks like about 3/4.

Haven't used mine yet but if you look at the PDF linked in the ebay auction, the flow port is just shy of 1" (.96). Hoping that is large enough.

 

[rod734]

Haven't used mine yet but if you look at the PDF linked in the ebay auction, the flow port is just shy of 1" (.96). Hoping that is large enough.

I think I will go ahead a put together a yeast catcher, that should help with the clogging possibility.

 

[FSR402]

I'm thinking that I may build a 1/2 to 1 gallon yeast catcher and maybe then I would be able to forgo the racking port. Less ports = less valves and threads to clean and sanitize.

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

I think I will go ahead a put together a yeast catcher, that should help with the clogging possibility.

I'm thinking that I may build a 1/2 to 1 gallon yeast catcher and maybe then I would be able to forgo the racking port. Less ports = less valves and threads to clean and sanitize.

 

[CoalCracker]

I don't know if this was covered. As far as chilling. Can you make a SS chiller, connect it to the lid, then have say a drink cooler filled with ice water and a pond pump, hook it up to a temp controller and run Ice water through the chiller? The cooler should keep it cool for a few days.

 

[FSR402]

I don't know if this was covered. As far as chilling. Can you make a SS chiller, connect it to the lid, then have say a drink cooler filled with ice water and a pond pump, hook it up to a temp controller and run Ice water through the chiller? The cooler should keep it cool for a few days.

Yes that would work.

 

[noremorse1]

Has anyone used one of these valves yet. Mine arrived yesterday and as I suspected the flow is reduced quite a bit, looks like about 3/4. It's a good looking valve, but I'm afraid it's going to have problems with clogging.
I'm thinking about sealing my lid and running a blow off tube into a sanitized bucket with an airlock to catch the krausen. If I extend the blow off tube down close to the surface of the beer I can reduce the trub and top crop yeast at the same time. I thought of putting some boiled or distilled water in the blow off bucket. Anyone see any drawbacks to this idea.

You want something like this: http://www.brewershardware.com/1-Tri-Clover-Butterfly-Valve.html

Ball valves are better at controlling flow. Butterfly valves, or dump valves, are used on fermenters as outlets.

 

[noremorse1]

This is what I am going with:

http://www.ohiovalleyag.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=48_49&products_id=2112

+

http://www.brewershardware.com/1-1.5-Tri-Clover-X-1.5-Male-NPT.html

+

http://www.brewershardware.com/1-5-Tri-Clover-90-Elbow-TC15ELL90.html

+

http://www.brewershardware.com/1.5-Tri-Clover-Butterfly-Valve-Squeeze-Trigger-TC10VBFVST1.html

And two of these:
http://www.brewershardware.com/1.5-Tri-Clover-Gasket-PTFE.html

and these:
http://www.brewershardware.com/1.5-Tri-Clover-Clamp.html

I will order parts for the racking/sample outlet after my first batch. I want to get a good idea where my trub line will sit on an average batch. Plus, with all the stainless triclamp stuff I snagged, its pricey already. Had to do it though just because I could.

 

[crazyseany]

Ok can ask a dumb question?

The yeast catcher... Is that only going to be installed when you get ready to drain the fermenter?

If so could you use a glass jug that has threads on it?... We have a local dairy that sells in glass myths still and I think they have a thread on the outside of them...

Not sure off it would work our not...but I can get them in half gallon and quart sizes...

It would sure be nice to see when the traub stops and the yeast start s... And then again when the yeast stops and the brew begins....

Would that work our no?
Sorry I'm a new DIY er and am thinking out loud...

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Ok can ask a dumb question?

The yeast catcher... Is that only going to be installed when you get ready to drain the fermenter?

If so could you use a glass jug that has threads on it?... We have a local dairy that sells in glass myths still and I think they have a thread on the outside of them...

Not sure off it would work our not...but I can get them in half gallon and quart sizes...

It would sure be nice to see when the traub stops and the yeast start s... And then again when the yeast stops and the brew begins....

Would that work our no?
Sorry I'm a new DIY er and am thinking out loud...

Goes on during fermentation- cleaned/sanitized and put back on for secondary. Collects entire time during fermentation and secondary.

Sent from my iPhone using HB Talk

 

[FSR402]

Ok can ask a dumb question?

The yeast catcher... Is that only going to be installed when you get ready to drain the fermenter?

If so could you use a glass jug that has threads on it?... We have a local dairy that sells in glass myths still and I think they have a thread on the outside of them...

Not sure off it would work our not...but I can get them in half gallon and quart sizes...

It would sure be nice to see when the traub stops and the yeast start s... And then again when the yeast stops and the brew begins....

Would that work our no?
Sorry I'm a new DIY er and am thinking out loud...

The idea behind the catcher is that it's screwed on and the valve is left open while you're filling the conical and while it's fermenting. The yeast and trub will settle down the cone, thru the open valve and into the catcher. Once you close the valve and remove the catcher you have all (most) the yeast and trub in the catcher. Now if you wanted to hook it back up you would need to empty, clean, sanitize and purge it with CO2 first. Or you would end up adding a bunch of O2 into the beer.

 

[chrisdb]

I'm thinking that I may build a 1/2 to 1 gallon yeast catcher and maybe then I would be able to forgo the racking port. Less ports = less valves and threads to clean and sanitize.

I was thinking 1 quart and two dumps.. first after a day or two to dump mostly trub and second at the end of fermentation (no secondary) to harvest yeast. do you think 1 qt is too small?

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

I was thinking 1 quart and two dumps.. first after a day or two to dump mostly trub and second at the end of fermentation (no secondary) to harvest yeast. do you think 1 qt is too small?

Depends on size! I use 1qt for my 15 gallon fermenter! + depends how much junk u let in the fermenter after the boil!!

Sent from my iPhone using HB Talk

 

[Sacdan]

Almost ready to water test it. I just assembled it and put it on the fermentation chamber.

 

[Piratwolf]

This is SICK!!!! I love it!

Would someone tell me the vertical dimensions with and without yeast-catcher attached?

"All your home brew are belong to us!"

 

[NewBrewB]

Is that going to be strong enough? You're basically using two skinny strips of wood at the middle, to support the entire weight of your brew. I'd probably want to reinforce the wood with a metal bracket (piece of rebar?) affixed to the wood across the front and back.

I'd hate to open the fridge on day 7 or 8 and find out that the wood broke in half and your batch came crashing down.

It does look sexy though, hanging-up in there.

 

[Zorin]

You could probably use some 2 x 4s to support your shelf just for peace of mind security...

 

[dave73ok]

I have a couple of 30 gallon tanks like this with stands That I am going to likely get rid of. I even have brass bushings and 2" ball valves to go with them. I should get some photos and info up in classifieds.

 

[Sacdan]

I plan on adding some 1x2 or 2x2 as braces. Originally I was going to use 3/4" plywood for the support. The piece I have is too small. So I dioubled up some 1/2". Even with just the two sheets, it is pretty strong now. I am trying to come up with an idea for some folding legs so I can get it in and out of the fridge easily. I am going to drill a small hole for an airlock. If that isn't enough, I'll drill a bigger hole and use a barbed connector to attach a blowoff tube.

 

[modobrew]

Just scored two of these off craigslist with the metal stands for $70 total! Can't wait to pick them up and give them a try. Need to look back through this thread to find ideas for yeast catcher and racking port location. Also need to find a cheap and easy way to maintain fermenting temps. I'll post picks after I pick them up.

 

[crazyseany]

sacdan... how are you going to fill that bad boy?
just curious...

sean

 

[HellBentBrewCo]

What are the dimensions on these things? I'm thinking about building a fermentation chamber in my garage using a window AC to keep it cool (will this work in a hot garage?) that will hold two of these plus a bunch of carboys / better bottles. Will this chamber end up being huge?

 

[Sacdan]

They are about 19" wide and 27-28" tall without any valves or yeast catchers attached.

 

[Sacdan]

sacdan... how are you going to fill that bad boy?
just curious...

sean

I will use a March pump with a long (10' or so) hose.

 

[chuckjaxfl]

Almost ready to water test it. I just assembled it and put it on the fermentation chamber.

I have that freezer! Except I gutted the thermostat, defrost timer & light assembly from the right. I put in the Auber PID (in on/off mode) that can handle 10A on the relay side.

I intended to hook up a light bulb and fan to the alarm circuit so I can heat as well, but in my Jacksonville, Florida garage, "not warm enough" is problem I just don't have often enough to warrant the effort.

 

[sgoncalves]

Hey guys, thought I'd send a few pictures of my yeast catcher and its yummy contents when I removed it to keg. I had dumped out some trub after 1 week and this is the final dumping after week 2. Also this is a Light Ale with very little hops and no grains (extract) so I could only imagine a beer with a lot more hops and grains (no this beer is not for me, I made it for my guests on Thanksgiving so dont give me crap about eww a light ale)

 

[chuckjaxfl]

I have that freezer! Except I gutted the thermostat, defrost timer & light assembly from the right. I put in the Auber PID (in on/off mode) that can handle 10A on the relay side.

I intended to hook up a light bulb and fan to the alarm circuit so I can heat as well, but in my Jacksonville, Florida garage, "not warm enough" is problem I just don't have often enough to warrant the effort.

Question for Sacdan: Do you have enough room along side the yeast trap to put a carboy, or a corny and close the door?

 

[chrisdb]

I getting ready to brew a 10 gallon 1.074 brew pitched with WLP530... I'm thinking I need a blowoff tube.