Super Simple 15G Plastic Conical

[fpweeks]

If you feel like making more than one I'd pay you for your troubles

 

[Yaksha808]

So.... the most that I can ferment in this is maybe 12gals??

 

[jflongo]

So.... the most that I can ferment in this is maybe 12gals??

The measuring goes to 17 gallons full. So I'm assuming you can do close to 15 gallons in this for fermenting.

 

[fpweeks]

I did 15 gallons in mine once.....once. It made a royal mess...and the tops of these fermentors are not exactly easy to clean when covered in dried krausen.

 

[jflongo]

The most I'll do in mine is probably 12 - 13 gallons.

 

[jflongo]

Do you guys have the dimensions of the hole you cut in the wood for a stand for the fermenter to slide into?

 

[jcorn]

The most I'll do in mine is probably 12 - 13 gallons.

I have all of plumbing for this thing if you are interested. All quick disconnects, couplings, nipple to attach hose and banjo valve. Let me know if so...

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Home Brew mobile app

 

[jflongo]

I have all of plumbing for this thing if you are interested. All quick disconnects, couplings, nipple to attach hose and banjo valve. Let me know if so...

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Home Brew mobile app

I have all of the parts for the bottom of the conical already, with the exception of a yeast catcher, which I'm skipping for now. I'm working on the side port right now, and order parts for it.

So what size of hole did you guys do for the stand for this to slide into?

 

[FredTheNuke]

I have all of the parts for the bottom of the conical already, with the exception of a yeast catcher, which I'm skipping for now. I'm working on the side port right now, and order parts for it.

So what size of hole did you guys do for the stand for this to slide into?

Why are you doing a side port? I ask because the yeast catcher when properly sized eliminates the need for the side port and associated plumbing/valve.

 

[jflongo]

Why are you doing a side port? I ask because the yeast catcher when properly sized eliminates the need for the side port and associated plumbing/valve.

I plan on putting a dip tube/side port in. That way I can easily take gravity samples, and drain it that way.

 

[jcorn]

I have all of the parts for the bottom of the conical already, with the exception of a yeast catcher, which I'm skipping for now. I'm working on the side port right now, and order parts for it.

So what size of hole did you guys do for the stand for this to slide into?

I did a side port on mine w/ a spigot as well. I can measure the hole when I get home if you are still in need.

 

[jflongo]

I did a side port on mine w/ a spigot as well. I can measure the hole when I get home if you are still in need.

Yes if you won't mind. I came up with a 57.5" circumference, so an 18.30" diameter. So if you can double check yours that would be great. Thanks and cheers.

 

[jcorn]

Yes if you won't mind. I came up with a 57.5" circumference, so an 18.30" diameter. So if you can double check yours that would be great. Thanks and cheers.

Sorry this took so long to return to you but I measured my hole and it was just simply a 1ft hole diameter hole. It works well but is probably the bare minimum you would want to go. I made mine that way so I could have my conical higher up and still add fittings to it

 

[jflongo]

Sorry this took so long to return to you but I measured my hole and it was just simply a 1ft hole diameter hole. It works well but is probably the bare minimum you would want to go. I made mine that way so I could have my conical higher up and still add fittings to it

Maybe I'll start with 16" and see how it fits. Then go a little larger if I want it to actually go on the ridge part of the conical. Thanks.

 

[sawbossFogg]

This is such a great thread, thank you contributors and HBT! I need to get off my butt and build it! Thanks again!


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[Squeeky]

sawbossFrogg, don't feel bad as I created this thread almost 3 yrs ago an have yet to use mine. Long story short I lost the ability to brew at my condo. The good new, closed on a new home and moving in next weekend. First step is to move the bewery before the bed. It is going to be sooo nice to brew again!

 

[SafariJack]

Congrats on the new place and the ability to brew again!!!


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[Surly]

Yes Squeeky, congrats on the new brew shop that some call a house.

I built the 15 gallon version of this build and love it. Late last summer I brewed a couple of batches and used a refrigerator to maintain fermentation conditions.

Then, in early winter the ambient temperature cooled to the point the refrigerator would not kick in. So I made the 60W light bulb in a can build, placed it in the refrigerator and went away for a couple of days.

The bulb warmed the refrigerator but the frig did not respond well at all and I lost the batch due to high ferment temps.

I am in the process of building a dedicated brewery in one of my outbuildings on the farm. I need some help from you people discussing the best option for cooling/heating a chamber.

I will want to be able to cool my 15 gallon conical of wort to around 60F. Further, I want to brew year round, so I will have to have a heating component as well.

I currently use a gutted standard refrigerator. A Johnson single stage control for cooling works. I am in the process of building the Dual stage temperature controller STC-1000. I plan on plugging my 60W light bulb can heater into the controller as the heat source.

Will this work for ambient temps that get below zero?

Or, should I consider building more of a walk in type room of about 5' X 6' X 8' and have the refrigerator sit in there? I could then simply heat the room up a bit and allow the refrigerator to do its own work using the Johnson I already have?

Are there other solutions I do not yet see? Cost is an issue. (I don't have the $300.00 for a CoolBot.)

 

[jcorn]

I poured my heart and soul into mine in the beginning. Now I hardly ever do big batching so I never use it. I always split my 10.5 gallon batches into (2) 5.25 sizes and pitch different yeast. I wonder how much luck one might have brewing 5.25 gallons of 1.063 in a 15 gallon tank? Too much headspace you think? I would be kegging it within 2-3 weeks so oxidation shouldnt be of concern. Congrats on the new place!

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[PleasantValleyHops]

So what has the going cost been around these days. For the standard 15 gal with fitting and all.

Pleasant Valley Hops inc.
Carroll Brewing Company
Frederick Md

 

[KingBubbaTruck]

Finally came up with a seal for my plastic conical. Found out that a 10" pressure cooker seal fit just right around the lid of my ferment. Seals up nice and air tight now.

 

[Yaksha808]

I thought the top openings of these are 12"? Where do you have it?? The pictures dont show anything about it

 

[KingBubbaTruck]

The one I bought Has a 10" lid on it.

In the picture of the lid, it's the light colored rubber ring around the outside of the black plastic lid.

Here's a better picture of what the gasket actually looks like.

 

[TxBigHops]

Apologies if this has already been discussed, but I haven't yet waded through all 900+ posts to this thread. I was originally trying to find info / reviews on the 8 gallon Minibrew plastic conical - but this is so much more economical, and gives room for expansion. So my question is - is there any reason not to brew smaller batches, i.e., 5-7 gallons in this 15 gallon conical? Any downside to the large amount of head space?

 

[SavoryChef]

If you install your sample/racking port in the right place, I wouldn't see a problem with it. I do 15 gallon batches in my 30 gallon conical

 

[user 144271]

I am sure this has been asked before but is there a place we can buy the 15 gal tanks with low shipping costs?

 

[eaglerisingbrew]

I just got mine in from Spraysmarter.com - a Roto-Mold 15 gallon for 60 bucks. I hope to have pictures up on my webpage www.eagle-rising-brewery.com soon of the progress.

 

[SavoryChef]

I am sure this has been asked before but is there a place we can buy the 15 gal tanks with low shipping costs?

Rural king had free shipping with an 8 week lead time

 

[FredTheNuke]

Just remember the 15 gallon ones are Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) - not suitable for long term beer storage due to oxygen permeation. Make sure you source HDPE for longer term storage/aging.

 

[SavoryChef]

Just remember the 15 gallon ones are Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE) - not suitable for long term beer storage due to oxygen permeation. Make sure you source HDPE for longer term storage/aging.

I did not know that. Mine are only in there for one month max. What about the 30 gal?