Turning your Fermonster into a complete closed transfer system for cheap!

[Dgallo]

I've had my transfer slow way down towards the end a couple of times. I assumed I had a clogged poppet. Took it apart and was clean inside. I leave my Fermonster in the chest freezer ferm chamber while transferring to a keg. Hard to see inside towards the bottom.

After reading the last few posts I totally think it might just be the end of the dip tube getting too close to the side of the fermentor. I know that looking from the top the dip tube was right up against the side. May give a filter of some sort a try. If nothing else, just to keep the pickup away from the side of the fermentor.

It slowing down is actually Bernoulli's principle of fluid dynamics. If you’re interested in the long explanation, search it, but in a nut shell, when the keg is empty and the fermenter is full, the beer will transfer the fastest. As the keg begins to fill it will decrease in speed. when the keg is close to being filled and the fv is almost empty, it will be the slowest. You can increase it by increasing the psi, but that’s potentially dangerous

 

[Deric]

Thanks for the reply! I will check it out. I've only pressure transferred 5 times. The first time was a disaster of my making. 2 other transfers went great. Slowed down near the end but not much. 2 slowed WAY down to the point I assumed they had stopped.

Edit: Just curious... For reference, how long does your typical 5 gallon transfer take?

 

[GoodTruble]

@Deric - what was the cause of the disaster? (Could be a learning experience for others).

I transfer from fermentor to keg under about 3-4 psi, and takes 5-10 minutes. But I also have the fermenter up higher so not fighting gravity the whole way.

 

[Deric]

@GoodTruble - Poor planning. Bad attitude. 108 degrees in the garage.

Had all the parts together but no plan. Had a terrible day and decided to take it out on beer.

Pro tip: Don't do that.

 

[DarrellQ]

I'm finally planning to join the hacked Fermonster community Just a couple of questions for you kind folks:

1) Does anyone see the need to add a filter to their floating dip tube?

No, I always cold crash and have never had a problem. I have even done a couple Pliny clones with about 7 ounces dry hopped. I regularly purge the keg and set the psi into the fermonster to about 6 lbs.

 

[Knightshade]

I don't use a filter & have not had a clogging issue yet (just wait for it all to settle out). But I definitely had issues with floating dip tube sticking to the sides of fermenter and kegs. Total PITA. I attached stainless steel washers, but it's still a problem.

Exactly...I have a cider in my kegerator that was having this exact problem. Easily 25% left and just getting air. Couldn't remember if this was a dip tube that I had just put stainless nuts on, or if it was one of the ones I had placed more beer filter on. Said the hell w/it last week and decided to just drop in a regular dip tube. Sure enough...I was replacing a dip tube w/a stainless nut vs. the dedicated filter.

Not saying that the more beer filter won't do the same thing, just hasn't happened to me...yet.

 

[Mike B1190]

Does anyone know if the bulkheads come apart to be able to change the poppets or the diptube?

 

[VikeMan]

Does anyone know if the bulkheads come apart to be able to change the poppets or the diptube?

Diptube: Yes.

Poppet: Depends on the Post:
- Some have poppets that are essentially permanent, since the "feet" sit on a little bumped out shelf. You can break them out, but it will bend them, and it's hard (almost impossible) to replace properly them IMO. I clean and sanitize that post type by depressing the poppet and "swishing" cleaner/sanitizer through them. Maybe someone has a better way.
- Some have "universal" poppets consisting of a poppet head and a separate spring. Dead easy to take apart and clean/sanitize.
- I haven't seen anything sold as a "bulkhead" assembly that comes with a traditional post with an old old style one-piece, easily removable poppet.

 

[secretlevel]

DONE





I tested the setup with 12 PSI and while 5 PSI was holding well, at 12 psi there's a low hissing noise out of the bottom of the lid. It'll probably be ok for transfers, but has anyone else had this issue? I'm wondering if I should order a new lid.

 

[GoodTruble]

Personally, I wouldn't trust it at more than 5 PSI anyway. And the lid is preferable leak point than around the spigot if too much pressure builds up.

Are those posts far enough apart for both attachments to be connected?

 

[secretlevel]

Personally, I wouldn't trust it at more than 5 PSI anyway. And the lid is preferable leak point than around the spigot if too much pressure builds up.

Are those posts far enough apart for both attachments to be connected?

Ah, I think I can live with that. My posts are just far enough to both be connected

 

[DarrellQ]

DONE
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I tested the setup with 12 PSI and while 5 PSI was holding well, at 12 psi there's a low hissing noise out of the bottom of the lid. It'll probably be ok for transfers, but has anyone else had this issue? I'm wondering if I should order a new lid.

I don't think you should hear hissing noise. I have tested mine up to 12 psi also, it holds well. Since you apparently placed the posts fairly close together (like I did) there were some slight ridges on the bottom of the lid that I had to smooth-out in order to get "flat" seal. Are these affecting your seal?

 

[secretlevel]

I don't think you should hear hissing noise. I have tested mine up to 12 psi also, it holds well. Since you apparently placed the posts fairly close together (like I did) there were some slight ridges on the bottom of the lid that I had to smooth-out in order to get "flat" seal. Are these affecting your seal?

I know what you mean, I was a little worried about those edges, but the hissing appears to be coming from the bottom and starsan didn't really show any leaks on top. I'll just get another lid from Amazon and see how it goes.

Question - how did you smooth the ridges out at the bottom of the lid?

 

[Elric]

Put some keg lube on the oring, it should fix that hiss you are hearing

 

[secretlevel]

Put some keg lube on the oring, it should fix that hiss you are hearing

Dude, YES!! Lube did it. I can't believe I didn't think to put any lube on it. The o-ring didn't quite fall into place until well lubed up, it looked like it was too big for the hole, but damn, lube is like magic!

Edit: That's what he said.

 

[secretlevel]

How does one unscrew both sides of the bulkhead? My keg post keeps unscrewing freely, but the bottom nut won't come off.

 

[ihavenonickname]

I had to get a vice grip/locking pliers to hold the smooth round part in place (just above your arrow)

 

[CascadesBrewer]

I had to get a vice grip/locking pliers to hold the smooth round part in place (just above your arrow)

I did the same, with a cloth to protect the metal. The o-ring in there was smashed flat which made it hard to reassemble. I swapped it out for a new o-ring.

 

[anteater8]

After 120 batches in glass carboys, I can no longer bear to watch the oxygen exposure as I rack into my kegs. I need to join the closed transfer team! My problem is that my fridge is slightly too small to fit the Fermonster. Its just under 11 inches deep, and barely fits the standard 6.5 gal glass carboy. A couple of question for you all...

• Would a Big Mouth Bubbler work similarly with this set up?
• Anyone have other workarounds for a fridge that won't fit the Fermonster?

Edit: I figured out that the Big Mouth Bubbler lid does not screw on like the Fermonster, so it would pop off under pressure. I suppose you could tape it down, but I'm not sure I want to deal with that every time.

I like the @CascadesBrewer brewer set up, it looks like a lot of people do that with the BMB. Maybe that method in combination with the in line filter and depth charge dry hop filter (to not block the spigot) would work...

 

[Noob_Brewer]

After 120 batches in glass carboys, I can no longer bear to watch the oxygen exposure as I rack into my kegs. I need to join the closed transfer team! My problem is that my fridge is slightly too small to fit the Fermonster. Its just under 11 inches deep, and barely fits the standard 6.5 gal glass carboy. A couple of question for you all...

• Would a Big Mouth Bubbler work similarly with this set up?
• Anyone have other workarounds for a fridge that won't fit the Fermonster?

Edit: I figured out that the Big Mouth Bubbler lid does not screw on like the Fermonster, so it would pop off under pressure. I suppose you could tape it down, but I'm not sure I want to deal with that every time.

I like the @CascadesBrewer brewer set up, it looks like a lot of people do that with the BMB. Maybe that method in combination with the in line filter and depth charge dry hop filter (to not block the spigot) would work...

Does your measurements take into account the door? I have a 4.4cf Frigidaire mini fridge and it fits the fermonster but only after a little shaving of the vertical slit from the door to give it a little more.

 

[anteater8]

Does your measurements take into account the door? I have a 4.4cf Frigidaire mini fridge and it fits the fermonster but only after a little shaving of the vertical slit from the door to give it a little more.

Good point... I probably have an extra 0.5 inches as the base of the door. Its pretty uneven up the rest of the door since its already been shredded to hell. I might need to just find a good return policy and see if it fits.

 

[szap]

DONE
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I tested the setup with 12 PSI and while 5 PSI was holding well, at 12 psi there's a low hissing noise out of the bottom of the lid. It'll probably be ok for transfers, but has anyone else had this issue? I'm wondering if I should order a new lid.

Probably pointing out the obvious but I've had issues with the fermonster lid o ring coming off causing the hissing noise.

 

[cmac62]

After 120 batches in glass carboys, I can no longer bear to watch the oxygen exposure as I rack into my kegs. I need to join the closed transfer team! My problem is that my fridge is slightly too small to fit the Fermonster. Its just under 11 inches deep, and barely fits the standard 6.5 gal glass carboy. A couple of question for you all...

• Would a Big Mouth Bubbler work similarly with this set up?
• Anyone have other workarounds for a fridge that won't fit the Fermonster?

Edit: I figured out that the Big Mouth Bubbler lid does not screw on like the Fermonster, so it would pop off under pressure. I suppose you could tape it down, but I'm not sure I want to deal with that every time.

I like the @CascadesBrewer brewer set up, it looks like a lot of people do that with the BMB. Maybe that method in combination with the in line filter and depth charge dry hop filter (to not block the spigot) would work...

I know its not with this thread, but i'd probably just ferment it a corney.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

Edit: I figured out that the Big Mouth Bubbler lid does not screw on like the Fermonster, so it would pop off under pressure. I suppose you could tape it down, but I'm not sure I want to deal with that every time.

I don't have a BMB, but Northern Brewer sells this harness that is designed to also hold the lid in place: Northern Brewer Universal Harness for Big Mouth Bubbler and Carboys

 

[anteater8]

I know its not with this thread, but i'd probably just ferment it a corney.

I'd actually be willing to try this once with a tried and true recipe to see how the quality compares, not sure if I'd need a spunding though... Long term I'd really prefer to use a larger carboy to get a full 5 gallons into the keg.

 

[anteater8]

Has anyone figured out a good method to adding gelatin while using this process, assuming you're brewing something like a west coast IPA or lager?

 

[secretlevel]

Has anyone figured out a good method to adding gelatin while using this process, assuming you're brewing something like a west coast IPA or lager?

I honestly just run CO2, open the lid and dump it in, but for the more sophisticated folks, here's one great method:
Chino's Gelatin cannon.

 

[Dgallo]

Has anyone figured out a good method to adding gelatin while using this process, assuming you're brewing something like a west coast IPA or lager?

Have you ever used biofine? I’ll add that to the keg after it’s purged while running co2 and then close transfer onto it.. I thought this was better than gelatin personally. That’s how I’ve been doing my lagers and they clear great

 

[anteater8]

Have you ever used biofine? I’ll add that to the keg after it’s purged while running co2 and then close transfer onto it.. I thought this was better than gelatin personally. That’s how I’ve been doing my lagers and they clear great View attachment 745622View attachment 745624

I'll have to try that out, it certainly seems a lot easier than going through the whole gelatin process!

 

[anteater8]

Does your measurements take into account the door? I have a 4.4cf Frigidaire mini fridge and it fits the fermonster but only after a little shaving of the vertical slit from the door to give it a little more.

I owe you a BIG THANKS for asking this question, I just brought home a fermonster and it fits perfectly in my fridge. Time to get some pressure transfers going!