Super Simple 15G Plastic Conical

[Paulfrank]

I too love the simplicity of this setup and i don't even have a sampling/transfer port (yet!). I screw it down real tight, watch the yeast pile up at the bottom of the cone, transfer with the auto syphon through the top, and then dump the yeast through my bottom valve into a sanitized mason jar for storage when complete. Once or twice I had my brew day times align with a kegging day so i was able to simply dump my new beer on top of the yeast pile which was a nice bonus of not having to clean out the conical between brews.

I was able to pick up mine for something like $65 (my whole order was over $100 with other parts that I later returned) from ruralking.com when they still allowed free shipping on orders over $99, but now they screw you with a shipping fee of $50+ for a each conical... Man am I kicking myself for not buying 4-5 of these when I had the chance. Best deal I can find now is on Amazon or eBay for about $100 shipped to PA... Anyone have a cheaper source?

I picked up a 15.9 gal Speidel bucket style fermenter as they are $90 and don't any additional hardware for draining. I havent used it yet but I'm anxious to see how it works

If you want multiple conicals, just get two or more from spraysmarter and you'll qualify for free shipping over $249.

 

[thomasjr16]

Thanks!!! Didn't realize they had that deal

 

[thomasjr16]

Just checked and the free shipping over $249 isn't valid anymore... Shipping for one (to PA) and the conical is roughly $100. For $100 I still believe these tanks are worth it, I was just trying to get an idea of any other sources that don't charge $35-$40 shipping when the tank is $65

 

[Chrisl77]

Had to dig through my emails surprisingly I still had my confirmation email from when I got mine. I bought it from http://www.spraysmarter.com/ If I remember right it was because the shipping cost to NJ was better.

 

[Paulfrank]

If you go for the one with the built-in legs (I believe these are the only ones made of hdpe as opposed to the medium density the other ones are made of) it'll take two of them to meet the 249 minimum free shipping. Just gotta leave them in your "shopping cart" for a couple days as they send you coupon codes trying to entice you to complete your purchase. I believe it took just two days to get the free ship code. Before that they sent 5% & 10% coupon codes. I'm in eastern PA for what it's worth.

 

[WPStrassburg]

If anyone needs a spare lid and insert let me know as I have three of them laying around. One lid has a blowoff hole and two holes for a cooling coil, but the other two are factory.

 

[thomasjr16]

How did the cooling coil work out?

 

[Krusher]

Hi there has anyone tried this and if so what the feed back

 

[Krusher]

Originally Posted by abrew2u View Post
Can't seem to get the top to seal very well any ideas what's I can use for a gasket for the lid ????
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o00_s00


Has anyone try this and if so any feed back

 

[Jwin]

I think I read somewhere that the SS brewtech bucket gaskets fit very well

 

[Jwin]

No measurements shown..

http://www.ssbrewtech.com/products/gasket-for-fermenter-lid

 

[shemp]

Originally Posted by abrew2u View Post
Can't seem to get the top to seal very well any ideas what's I can use for a gasket for the lid ????
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o00_s00


Has anyone try this and if so any feed back

Amazon link not working

I just kegged my first batch out of this thing. Mine also didn't seal well. Time to analyze.....

 

[shemp]

I just cleaned this fermenter after first use and noticed a gouge inside. It's hard to see but I can definitely feel it. About the size of a quarter. Has anyone else found something like this?

I think I may be able to return it.

Thanks

 

[WPStrassburg]

The cooling coil works great. With no insulation I can get about 15 degrees below ambient with ice water that is in the upper 30's. My o rings are a -456 size and they are Parco brand but I can't remember where I got them from. I think they are epdm or nitrile.

http://www.theoringstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1372

These are pretty reasonable priced rom what I remember though.

 

[kickflip_mj]

I have a few questions maybe some one can please help answer.

When they installed the threaded black lid with screws, did they drill all the way through so the screw goes into the tank?

How deep is the lip where the lid attaches to?

I was thinking about making another lid and installing maybe 10 of these so I can hold some pressure. https://www.nutty.com/E-Z-Lok-Inserts-for-Plastic-Wood_c_272.html

 

[shemp]

The screws thread into the lip that is about the same thickness as the rest of the tank. Maybe 1/16". the screws go well into the tank. The screws go through your applied silicone to hopefully seal the lid. I'm about to test mine to fine the leak(s).

 

[kickflip_mj]

The screws thread into the lip that is about the same thickness as the rest of the tank. Maybe 1/16". the screws go well into the tank. The screws go through your applied silicone to hopefully seal the lid. I'm about to test mine to fine the leak(s).

Thats pretty annoying that they screw into the tank exposing the ends. I was thinking about sinking these fittings into the lip if it was thick. But I guess not.

Thank you for looking into this.

 

[shemp]

You can always use washers, nuts, and lots of silicone

 

[hamiltont]

If you're worried about the screws just replace them with stainless steel screws. As far as leaking goes, who cares.... If it's tight it leaks into a jar of water. Otherwise it leaks into the atmosphere.. If you're thinking you'll pull O2 into the fermenter, there's plenty of CO2 in there to protect your beer. My tank is the one that has the threads for the lid molded into it and it never seals, no matter what I've done. I've made 100's of gallons of beer with it that way and the beer turns out just fine.

Cheers!!!

 

[labeeratory]

Hey guys I have one of these fermenters and I am going to be adding a banjo valve and a trub catcher to it. I saw this link:

https://www.chaosbrewclub.net/forum/equipment/plastic-conical-fermenter

and wanted to emulate the build. But while I was perusing Amazon I saw one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VJSPPI/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

And wondered if it would do the trick as well. It looks to be the cheaper as well as better option due to the fact it can be taken apart and cleaned.

 

[kenglish427]

Its been a while for anything new on this thread, but I wanted to throw out my idea that is working well.

Similar to a HERMS coil in a HLT, (Actually the same tubing I used) I installed around a 20' coil of stainless 1/2" tubing in my plastic conical, and then on the outside, connected hoses out for temp control.

For my temp control, I gutted a mini fridge, mounted it to the bench my ferminters are on, and stuck the ice tray portion into a cooler that holds about 5 Gallons of water. I have fishtank pumps that are controlled by PIDs, Temp sensors in Thermowells in the fermenters.
Summer here in Florida, I was able to get (2) 10 Gallon batches of beer to Cold crash at 48 degrees with just minor spray foam insulation.

Pictures to follow, but I built 2 fermenters, temp control, and a bench for around $400. Works like a champ.

Has anyone else done the Mini Fridge option on here?

 

[permo]

Does anybody know what size the stainless screws are that hold the lid on? I just ordered one and it came missing 3 of the 8 screws?! They predrilled for the screws but apparently got distracted at assembly time.

 

[livelyjay]

Just back them out and take them to your hardware store. If you oversize them it won't be a big deal since this is pretty soft plastic.

 

[livelyjay]

I just finished building my first conical. I used a lot of silicone to make the ports and threaded fitting air tight. I put in my first batch on Saturday and there's no blow off action, so the lid is leaking around the lip. I put a silicone gasket around the lip of the lid, but it's obviously not enough. I'll try some other gasket options for next batch and see what happens.

Assembly, Mounted and leak testing, First brew batch and blow off attached, Attachments for secondary trub and transfer

 

[shemp]

I have one of these and have to say with the addition of the 14g fast ferment, this thing is probably not worth it anymore. Sealing it is tough (although maybe not necessary). Hope it works out!

 

[Paps]

http://www.tank-depot.com/productdetails.aspx?part=N-60214

$73 for the plastic conical
shipping (for me) is $34

14g fast ferment is about $200 not incl shipping....

I'm not in the market atm and don't claim to be a math expert but.....
I'd say that building your own is still worth the savings.

 

[shemp]

I found the fast ferment 14g for $170.

http://www.homebrewfinds.com/2017/0...als-are-available-choose-from-two-offers.html

Yes, you save $60. But there's no doubt the fast ferment is a better solution. So I guess it's up to the brewer if the 60 buck savings is worth it.

I do get the whole build it myself thing though. It's the whole reason I did it. Gotta find a better way. I just don't think this is the way anymore. Now, building a walk in fermentation chamber/cooler.... we'll see how that turns out

 

[livelyjay]

Everything I read about the Fast Ferment is the quality of the plastics was bad and the build quality was bad. Crap shoot if you get a good sealing lid and a valve that holds up for more than 3 brews. That's why I chose to build my own.

 

[jcorn]

I found the fast ferment 14g for $170.

http://www.homebrewfinds.com/2017/0...als-are-available-choose-from-two-offers.html

Yes, you save $60. But there's no doubt the fast ferment is a better solution. So I guess it's up to the brewer if the 60 buck savings is worth it.

I do get the whole build it myself thing though. It's the whole reason I did it. Gotta find a better way. I just don't think this is the way anymore. Now, building a walk in fermentation chamber/cooler.... we'll see how that turns out

The 14g fastferment only holds 14 gallons. This thing maxed out just barely exceeds 18.75 gallons... Making it perfect for 15 gallon batches

 

[jcorn]

I just finished building my first conical. I used a lot of silicone to make the ports and threaded fitting air tight. I put in my first batch on Saturday and there's no blow off action, so the lid is leaking around the lip. I put a silicone gasket around the lip of the lid, but it's obviously not enough. I'll try some other gasket options for next batch and see what happens.

Assembly, Mounted and leak testing, First brew batch and blow off attached, Attachments for secondary trub and transfer

Looking to replicate your awesome yeast catching setup! Correct me if I am wrong on anything below:
-1.5 in. SS ball valve
-1.5 in. threaded male to 2 in. female
-2 in. clear pvc piping (where did you find this?)
-2 in. female reducer to 3 in. female
-3 in. piping
-3 in. end cap