Super Simple 15G Plastic Conical

[FuzzeWuzze]

Lol seeing this post reminded me that i emailed Den Hartog Industries sales department who makes the Ace Roto mold series and asked if they had any plans on making smaller 8-10 gallon tanks as they would be a huge hit in homebrewing among other things.

Nearly a month later and still no reply, solid sales service!

 

[FredTheNuke]

I know this thread centers around a 15 gallon setup but the concepts are the same just on a smaller scale. Here is the update on the 60 gallon:

Alright it is all sealed up. I will do some basic pressure tests once the sealant has had ample time to cure (moving liquid in and ensuring the air locks bubble away as that is about as much pressure as the lid will ever have to sustain). The FDA sealant says no VOCs... yeah right - it gives you a good buzz...

I went with twin airlocks just to be safe. I'll have to use blow off tubes during the initial 60 gallon ferment but should only need the 2 airlocks each year when 15 gallons are added. The SS 1/2" valve with QD connects to a 20 inch deep 1/2" ss tube that will allow siphoning or addition of liquid (it reaches 25 gallons down into the product). Any more than 25 gallons can be removed from the bottom.

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

Sure Thing! The pics are of a 60 gallon Inductor Tank with a 6" diameter yeast trap (about 1 gallon in volume). The enclosure is a 3ft x 4ft x 8ft fermentation chamber with R13 insulated and caulked walls. It does not yet have the door on and is missing one outer piece of plywood - 80% complete. it will be controlled by a dual stage Control Products TC-9102D-HV controller with a 5000btu AC unit and a 200 watt heater. Target is 68F year round for a 60 gallon Lambic Solera. Should be filled and at temp in the next 2 weeks. http://s215.photobucket.com/user/fredthenuke/media/IMG_6112_zps3db138a6.jpg.html http://s215.photobucket.com/user/fredthenuke/media/IMG_6117_zpsfb5b9ec6.jpg.html http://s215.photobucket.com/user/fredthenuke/media/IMG_6120_zps28a25ede.jpg.html http://s215.photobucket.com/user/fredthenuke/media/IMG_6121_zpse687cc58.jpg.html CHEERS!

Very nice

 

[Krusher]

AWESOME :rockin:

 

[CA_Mouse]

Lol seeing this post reminded me that i emailed Den Hartog Industries sales department who makes the Ace Roto mold series and asked if they had any plans on making smaller 8-10 gallon tanks as they would be a huge hit in homebrewing among other things.

Nearly a month later and still no reply, solid sales service!

I completely agree! I would buy 5 8 gallon ones the moment they announced them. I brew mostly 6 gallon batches at home and would love to be able to afford conicals.

 

[jflongo]

I completely agree! I would buy 5 8 gallon ones the moment they announced them. I brew mostly 6 gallon batches at home and would love to be able to afford conicals.

I'm not sure if a conical is worth the hastle for a 5 - 6 gallon batch. That's just me though

Since I just moved up to 11 gallon batches, that's why I decided to go with the 15 gallon conical. For all my 5 - 6 gallon batch, I think I will stay with a pail or carboy, that's just me though :rockin:

 

[jflongo]

Also, I'm curious. Let's say you have a beer in your conical for about 7 days and then are going to brew up a quick 6 gallon batch. Have any of you at the end of your brew day, go to the conical, pull of some yeast slurry, and just dump it into the one you just brewed?

I understand the whole yeast pulling, cleaning, etc. Just though that would be a super fast way to get yeast for your current brew. Maybe a good way to time brewing together for a large and small batch.

 

[fpweeks]

Also, I'm curious. Let's say you have a beer in your conical for about 7 days and then are going to brew up a quick 6 gallon batch. Have any of you at the end of your brew day, go to the conical, pull of some yeast slurry, and just dump it into the one you just brewed?

I understand the whole yeast pulling, cleaning, etc. Just though that would be a super fast way to get yeast for your current brew. Maybe a good way to time brewing together for a large and small batch.

All the time!

 

[jflongo]

All the time!

Very cool.

And holy cow, I just got my 1-1/2" valve, that thing is huge

Did you add any food grade lube to it, like we use on kegs? It seems like you really have to muscle this thing to open and close it.

 

[jflongo]

Also, here is my plan, does this sound good.

Use this to connect the 1-1/2 Value to the conical.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=30249&catid=520

Use this to connect to the bottom of the valve.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=30836&catid=976

And then this to the bottom of that.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=30828&catid=976

Then need to make a container or jar to go into that.

So far about $17 plus shipping for those 3 items.

How does all of that sound?

 

[whiteirishdrinker]

thanks Spotted Dog ans Squeeky for getting this rolling and thanks to all contributions. going to head out to Indiana and check out Ohio valley ag and see if they cant get me 3 of these in house so i can just pick them up. The swmbo loves little trips like this and it is only an hour from my house. Now all I need to do is figure out how I can partition a 6x6 ferm chamber to maintain a different temp for each conical. I am just getting started but I cant see any reason not to start with these since I am going straight to AG and kegging. this will be fun.

 

[CA_Mouse]

I'm not sure if a conical is worth the hastle for a 5 - 6 gallon batch. That's just me though

Since I just moved up to 11 gallon batches, that's why I decided to go with the 15 gallon conical. For all my 5 - 6 gallon batch, I think I will stay with a pail or carboy, that's just me though :rockin:

I brew 2 beers on average every week and a different one each time, so for me an 8 gallon makes better sense.

 

[FredTheNuke]

For those that have asked here are your 5 and 10 gallon conical fermenters:

http://www.plastic-mart.com/category/19/cone-bottom-tanks

 

[FredTheNuke]

Lol seeing this post reminded me that i emailed Den Hartog Industries sales department who makes the Ace Roto mold series and asked if they had any plans on making smaller 8-10 gallon tanks as they would be a huge hit in homebrewing among other things.

Nearly a month later and still no reply, solid sales service!

They already make them is why they probably did not answer.....

See here:

http://www.plastic-mart.com/category/19/cone-bottom-tanks

 

[Huaco]

...Now all I need to do is figure out how I can partition a 6x6 ferm chamber to maintain a different temp for each conical...

Check out my projects linked in my signature. I have successfully fermented at differing temps...

 

[grndslm]

What's the MINIMUM height required for a "fermentation chamber", fridge, freezer, etc.???

The conical is 29", right? Could the valves and [horizontal] clear-PVC sight 'glass' make it at 39" or less??

I didn't want to get started until I got a fridge. Now I've got one, but I've only got 39" of height to work with. Wondering if I should have just gone with a standup freezer, now....

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

They already make them is why they probably did not answer.....

See here:

http://www.plastic-mart.com/category/19/cone-bottom-tanks

Nice, sucks its not cheaper really...hmph.

 

[jflongo]

What's the MINIMUM height required for a "fermentation chamber", fridge, freezer, etc.???

The conical is 29", right? Could the valves and [horizontal] clear-PVC sight 'glass' make it at 39" or less??

I didn't want to get started until I got a fridge. Now I've got one, but I've only got 39" of height to work with. Wondering if I should have just gone with a standup freezer, now....

A standup freezer or a large fridge is best for a conical. A small fridge or chest freezer would be a pain.

 

[SavoryChef]

My 15 gallon fits in a 14 cf standup freezer without an airlock. The 30 gallon fits in a 20 cf. Both use the medal stands that I bought.

 

[grndslm]

What's the MINIMUM height required for a "fermentation chamber", fridge, freezer, etc.???

The conical is 29", right? Could the valves and [horizontal] clear-PVC sight 'glass' make it at 39" or less??

I didn't want to get started until I got a fridge. Now I've got one, but I've only got 39" of height to work with. Wondering if I should have just gone with a standup freezer, now....

Anybody with a horizontal yeast catcher feel like chiming in??

 

[Neopol]

Anybody with a horizontal yeast catcher feel like chiming in??

I lost the PM , but i think it was you that PM'd me.. its about 8.5-9", and will float based on on how deeply you thread the fitting.

 

[ScottR79]

Anyone bought one of these recently from RuralKing and actually received free shipping? I tried to order online and use Paypal to pay and its making me pick a shipping method costing more than the conical and the stand together, and I already entered the FREESHIP code...thanks Im ready to get two on the way, we have rounded up all the stainless to outfit them over the last month or so.

 

[jflongo]

Anyone bought one of these recently from RuralKing and actually received free shipping? I tried to order online and use Paypal to pay and its making me pick a shipping method costing more than the conical and the stand together, and I already entered the FREESHIP code...thanks Im ready to get two on the way, we have rounded up all the stainless to outfit them over the last month or so.

I bought mine around the holidays, and got free shipping, just not sure when I'm going to get it. It said 6 - 8 weeks.

 

[ScottR79]

Well it appears they won't shop for free anymore.

 

[SavoryChef]

The 15 gallons should ship ups, the 30's ship freight

 

[FredTheNuke]

I wouldn't buy from RuralKing.... They are wasting your money shipping LTL Freight and rarely stock the conicals they are advertising (6-8 week lead times. really?). My 60 gallon and 37 gallon Conicals shipped FedEx and UPS respectively. Just verified and the quoted SpraySmarter.com for the 60 gallon blow molded Ace-Roto was $40.30 for UPS or $103.60 for LTL Freight.... Hmmmm - tough choice.

 

[funkapottomous]

I know this thread centers around a 15 gallon setup but the concepts are the same just on a smaller scale. Here is the update on the 60 gallon:

Alright it is all sealed up. I will do some basic pressure tests once the sealant has had ample time to cure (moving liquid in and ensuring the air locks bubble away as that is about as much pressure as the lid will ever have to sustain). The FDA sealant says no VOCs... yeah right - it gives you a good buzz...

I went with twin airlocks just to be safe. I'll have to use blow off tubes during the initial 60 gallon ferment but should only need the 2 airlocks each year when 15 gallons are added. The SS 1/2" valve with QD connects to a 20 inch deep 1/2" ss tube that will allow siphoning or addition of liquid (it reaches 25 gallons down into the product). Any more than 25 gallons can be removed from the bottom.

This is like the second thread I've opened back up after taking a LONG break from homebrewing and this is EXACTLY what I have been wanting to do to my conical to make it airtight and better suited for use as a bright tank/secondary.

I'm digging the dipstick as well, that will come in real handy.

Edit: Have you used this setup with a carbon dioxide blanket? My conical is 15 gallons but I'm not always brewing 15 gallon batches, and I'd hate for that extra air to spoil something. But I reckon if it's airtight, the extra headspace won't make that much of a difference....

 

[FredTheNuke]

I'm banking on the initial fermentation creating a solid CO2 blanket. If need be I can purge into the dip tube with pure CO2 and let out any air should I drain some for "sampling".... <grin>

 

[HomeBrewFoSho]

Finally putting my 15 gallon conical together. I opted to seal the lid by removing the inner ring the lid screws onto. I put two strips of the rubber "D" style on the lid and I will strap it down. Seems to make a great seal this way, plus less places for crud to hide. Anyways. I was thinking of putting a 3/4 90' barbed fitting in the lid for the blow off tube. I'm thinking if I just barely make the hole big enough I can actually screw the fitting in and make a tight seal. Anyone done this? Also is a 3/4" Tygon tubing a good size running into a bucket? Is there any advantage to going bigger or smaller? Or should I just say screw it and put a big hole with a rubber plug and traditional style air lock? Any help is appreciated. I built myself a brew stand with keggels and pumps that I've never used yet. My excuse was that this conical wasn't ready. I'm tired of excuses haha

 

[SavoryChef]

I have never needed a blow off tube with 11 gallons in there.