Super Simple 15G Plastic Conical

[WPStrassburg]

Could those of you who have used the 2x1.5 concentric reducer to go to 2" sight glass comment on whether you think it was beneficial or if the 1.5" sight glass is sufficient for 15gal batches? Debating if the added parts are worth it.

Thanks!

https://www.brewershardware.com/Tri-Clover-Concentric-Reducer-2-X-1.5.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-5-DN40-Sa...905?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1eac7779

This is a 1.5" thread by 2" TC connection so it would eliminate the 1.5" to 2" increaser requirement if your want a 2" sight glass. I've got them for two of my conicals, but haven't used them yet. I also have a 1.5" tc adapter on my first conical that works pretty good, but am hoping that the above adapter lets me do more through dumps and is less likely to plug if I don't always have the valve open to the harvester/trub collector.

Also have had good luck with fittings from these guys too who have the cheaper 2" sight glasses.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/19MM-51MM-3...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3f310dcf19

 

[permo]

I am starting this build with the 15 gallon roto tank. It looks to be closer to 18 gallon capacity. Has anybody tried a 14-15 gallon batch in one of these fermenters?

I do plan on a blowoff so maybe I can fit a 15 gallon batch.

 

[Surly]

I am starting this build with the 15 gallon roto tank. It looks to be closer to 18 gallon capacity. Has anybody tried a 14-15 gallon batch in one of these fermenters?

I do plan on a blowoff so maybe I can fit a 15 gallon batch.

I brew 15.5 gallon batches all the time in my 15 gallon conical. I just added a blow off tube as I have had some issues with blow off.

As an aside:

I will be adding a rotating racking arm after my next brew identifies my trub line.

I keg, so I can get three kegs filled from one batch. Once I mount the racking arm I will begin to increase my capacity by 1/2 gallon increments. I will determine that sweet spot for maximum capacity. This will allow me to get the three kegs plus some draw off into a soda bottle with a carbonator cap. In addition, I should be in a position to easily bottle some to carry off site or long term conditioning.

 

[permo]

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My build is going well. Still waiting on a valve for the racking port but its close.

 

[permo]

DoneView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1428624094.186491.jpg


Gonna fire up a classic american pale ale to break it in. I love the three piece valves

 

[Huaco]

With such a large yeast trap on there, how does one not introduce tons of oxygen to the beer when you open the valve? Maybe, I'm not understanding how this works though. I suppose you could purge the yeast catcher with C02 first?

 

[permo]

ferment with the main valve open. The catcher fills with the fermenting wort and eventually as the yeast flocculates to the bottom it enters the yeast catcher and displaces beer. Then you close the main valve and remove the yeast catcher. No oxygen introduced.

 

[Huaco]

Aaaahhhh... That makes sense.

 

[permo]

Fired her up this weekend....noticed a small leak where the yeast trap enters the valve. Will have to use Teflon tape to get a better seal next next time. Other than that its good to go!

 

[permo]

Can I ask what folks are using to provide a water tight seal? Teflon Tape, Pipe Dope? ETC.......

 

[paguy]

Teflon tape here. Change it out every batch.

 

[permo]

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Fixed my leak with those stainless pipe hose clamps. Its an awesome rig so far! 15 gallons of dead guy fermenting away.

 

[Artifishal]

Teflon tape here. Change it out every batch.

Same here

 

[Artifishal]

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Fixed my leak with those stainless pipe hose clamps. Its an awesome rig so far! 15 gallons of dead guy fermenting away.

Permits, is that a Yamaha kicker motor I see! Nice! You live in Michigan and want a brewing/fishing buddy by chance? Lol.

 

[permo]

Permits, is that a Yamaha kicker motor I see! Nice! You live in Michigan and want a brewing/fishing buddy by chance? Lol.

Thats a 200 horse yamaha hpdi and a yamaha T8 kicker motor....i dabble in fishing a bit. Lol

I am in ND.

 

[permo]

Permits, is that a Yamaha kicker motor I see! Nice! You live in Michigan and want a brewing/fishing buddy by chance? Lol.

200 yamaha hpdi and the t8 kicker. You know it!

 

[chapusin]

Hey guys, what's your tipical fermentation schedule? Am I ok if I cold crash right after FG has been reached and then transfer to keg for carbonation?

 

[Artifishal]

Hey guys, what's your tipical fermentation schedule? Am I ok if I cold crash right after FG has been reached and then transfer to keg for carbonation?

Yes. As far as I know. That's how I have done it. Sometimes I wait a day or two after fg just to be sure.

 

[permo]

UPDATE: Closed the main valve and removed the yeast/trub collector tonight. It worked amazingly well. The yeast collector was full of sludgy thick yeast and trub. After that I removed maybe another 8 oz of sediment from the conical and now its all crystal clear.

What a great setup so far. The sample of beer I took tasted great. No issues there either. Thats the most important part. This was 10 days into fermentation and 4 days after FG was reached. 1.065 to 1.012 on dead guy ale clone with wyeast 1056 pitched into 60 degree wort and fermented at 63-66 degrees.

 

[permo]

Update: Just kegged 14 gallons of crystal clear dead guy ale clone. I must say after 5 years of cleaning carboys of various sizes...the conical is the real deal. With the 1/2 inch fittings I had three kegs filled in about 10 minutes. It couldn't be a much better design. I am thinking I might have to get another one or two going...

My main concern will be to set it in the sun, use plenty of sanitzer and keep it scratch free as possible.

awesome design fellas!

 

[thomasjr16]

Finally got to use the conical and after a slight hiccup, everything seems to be a success. The hiccup was that after a week into fermentation, I wasn't seeing a solid yeast pile above the ball valve and then I realized that the sides were coated in a thick layer. After a few gentle taps with the hammer, the yeast flowed nicely into a pile at the bottom and I harvested two quarts with about an equal amount remaining. I'll be harvesting the rest tomorrow after more has had time to settle

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[matt99004]

Looks great! What yeast ware you using?

 

[thomasjr16]

Wyeast American ale 1056. It's on its 5th generation and still doing great. I didn't mind washing yeast before and then making a starter, but pitching this slurry into this wknds brew is gonna be so much better.

I've never pitched from a slurry but I moved this into two separate mason jars, topped off with preboiled/chilled water, and put them in the fridge until Saturday. Any concerns with this method? Just let them warm to room temp and pitch?

 

[Artifishal]

That should be fine. Use Mr. Malty.com to make sure you are pitching the right amount. Then you could wake them up/speed it up by dumping the water out and putting in some of the boiled and cooled wort (I've heard it's better if you do it before you add the hops). It will be going crazy by the time you pitch.

 

[permo]

2nd batch out of my conical had a bacterial infection........15 GALLONS of yummy pale ale down the drain.

I waged war with hot water and star san and got back in the saddle today with another 15 gallon batch of pale ale. I am not sure how the infection would have taken hold....I don't open the lid and it is air tight.

I filled the entire fermenter with hot water mixed with star san, let it sit overnight and emptied right before adding the fresh wort and yeast. If there is an infection this time I will be shocked.

 

[Artifishal]

That sucks Permo. A couple of things that pop into my mind, and you probably already know all this, but ...

1. Sanitizer can not do its job if it was not thoroughly cleaned first with an oxygen type cleaner like pbw or oxyclean.

2. The infection could have come from your racking cane, transfer tube,

...or, because I'm not sure when you noticed it, it could have come from your bottles, bottling wand, keg, keg lines, faucet, etc.

3. With this next batch try to monitor each step in the process to see where this bacteria is entering.

I'm still a beginner brewer, especially when it comes to this plastic conical. I'm only on my 7th batch in the conical. Luckily I have not experienced an infection yet and I cringe at the thought. I'm very interested in figuring this out with you so I can avoid it myself. That sounds selfish. Lol.

 

[SavoryChef]

What kind of valves do you have for dumping yeast? I use butterfly valves and I haven't had an infection in the two years I have been using plastic Conicals. I also do a 180 degree water rinse and then star san soak before I fill.

 

[DrunkleJon]

Yep, I too would suggest checking the cracks and cleaning out any lingering crud. Valves, threads, and any other place that may harbor nasties will do so. Sucks about a lost batch. Especially a 15 G batch.

 

[permo]

What kind of valves do you have for dumping yeast? I use butterfly valves and I haven't had an infection in the two years I have been using plastic Conicals. I also do a 180 degree water rinse and then star san soak before I fill.

I use a 1.5 inch stainless 3 piece ball valve for the primary dump valve and a 1/2 inch stainless 3 piece ball valve for racking and sampling. I did not cut any corners. I do have a PVC yeast catching system that I use, but I extensively clean and sanitize that too. Maybe I eliminate the yeast catcher as this is just another variable.

I think that I got relaxed in my cleaning of the primary vessel and it bit me. I also removed the big lid a few times to check on fermentation. Also I ground 35 pounds of grain within 20 feet of the fermenter before I brewed...that as well could have been it.

I will report back but I am not expecting problems with this batch

 

[permo]

Latest batch is about 1/2 done. 1.041 OG and its down to 1.023 after 50 or so hours with ringwood ale yeast. Its a bitter/pale ale.

Zero signs of infection at this point...sample tasted great but was cloudy due to active yeast in suspension.