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

[IslandLizard]

I noticed a hairline crack on the outside surface of the side of the fermenter. (Pic below. Crack is visible, but fuzzy.)

Isn't that a reflection of your floating dip tube tubing? It even has the the same curve.

If that's not it, I really don't see a crack.
And would a crack not show on the outside after emptying it?

They're made of PET, not acrylic, I don't think it can have hairline or spider cracks (crazing).

 

[Dgallo]

Cautionary Tale?

I am a few batches into my modded Fermonster, which I've been using as an occasional backup fermenter. Today, I kegged a batch and had to apply 10 PSI for a bit to dislodge gunk clogged in the floating dip. Then, part way through the xfer, I noticed a hairline crack on the outside surface of the side of the fermenter. (Pic below. Crack is visible, but fuzzy.) I'm pretty sure it wasn't there before, because I inspect the fermenter pretty thoroughly before each batch. I guess I was probably pretty lucky that it didn't crack the whole way through. Anyway, this fermonster has been retired to the trash can.

I’d be surprised if the fermonster itself cracked from pressure. Usually if the pressure gets too high, the lid will crack right above the threads on the flat surface. I’ve had 2 crack on me with way

 

[VikeMan]

Isn't that a reflection of your floating dip tube tubing? It even has the the same curve.

If that's not it, I really don't see a crack.
And would a crack not show on the outside after emptying it?

They're made of PET, not acrylic, I don't think it can have hairline or spider cracks (crazing).

The thing that looks like a reflection in the pic is definitely a crack. Or if there's a reflection, it's right where the crack is. Or a gouge, but if so, I have no idea how that would have happened. For whatever reason, I couldn't get the camera to focus on it. I could easily feel it on the outside. But I could not feel it on the inside.

Ok, I just now took it out of the trash and got a pic with a solid background behind it (i.e. construction paper inserted into the fermenter)...

 

[IslandLizard]

Still inconclusive, at least to me. ^

Can you take a picture a bit from the side, with light coming from the opposite side? You should be able to see the crack that way.
Put a piece of masking tape in the middle of the crack, with an arrow on it pointing to the crack (thin sharpie), so your camera will focus on that. Background paper should not be needed.

 

[VikeMan]

Still inconclusive, at least to me. ^

Can you take a picture a bit from the side, with light coming from the opposite side? You should be able to see the crack that way.
Put a piece of masking tape in the middle of the crack, with an arrow on it pointing to the crack (thin sharpie), so your camera will focus on that. Background paper should not be needed.

Sorry. It's in the trash for for the second and final time. The outside is cracked enough to catch a perpendicular fingernail swiped across it. That's conclusive enough for me.

 

[IslandLizard]

The outside is cracked enough to catch a perpendicular fingernail swiped across it. That's conclusive enough for me.

Well, yeah...

I saw a guy hulking a Fermonster half full with Starsan in the parking lot at a Big-Brew event, a few years ago). When he lost grip, it bounced several times on the tarmac. No cracks, no leaks, lid was still on... let's fill it!

I reckoned, they are indestructible!

 

[wsmith1625]

I have 2 Fermonsters with a spigot and they've held up pretty well. So far I 've only cracked 1 lid in about 15 batches. I imagine the weakest points are the spigot, lid, and the 2 seams from the injection molding process. A random crack in the side of the fermenter is likely not the norm.

 

[DarrellQ]

Mine bulges from the bottom if the pressure gets up around 10-12 and I have never cracked a lid or the vessel. As far clearing out a clogged dip tube, I vent from the gas port into Starsan and put a few lbs of Co2 pressure from the out port through the dip tube. Clears it out every time.

 

[GoodTruble]

I just don't apply more than 3-4 psi. But my fermonster is ported, so it has a lower threshold (I presume).

 

[secretlevel]

I just don't apply more than 3-4 psi. But my fermonster is ported, so it has a lower threshold (I presume).

How does does it take you to transfer ~5 gallons at this pressure?

I've cracked my second lid the other day by overtightening the posts, going to have to get a third... I always run into issues of the liquid or gas post leaking CO2 so I have to mess with them to get them tighter or looser. Eventually I either crack the lid or crack/squish the O-ring and have to replace the lid. What I think happens is I end up turning the posts when I put on or take off the disconnects. Sometimes they're hard to come off, so I end up turning them a bit and the posts get unscrewed.

I also tend to get clogs when initiating the transfer. Once it's going I'm good. I think it's a little krausen or some gunk that gets in there when I add the hops. Maybe a small mesh filter is a solution...

 

[DarrellQ]

How does does it take you to transfer ~5 gallons at this pressure?

I've cracked my second lid the other day by overtightening the posts, going to have to get a third... I always run into issues of the liquid or gas post leaking CO2 so I have to mess with them to get them tighter or looser. Eventually I either crack the lid or crack/squish the O-ring and have to replace the lid. What I think happens is I end up turning the posts when I put on or take off the disconnects. Sometimes they're hard to come off, so I end up turning them a bit and the posts get unscrewed.

I also tend to get clogs when initiating the transfer. Once it's going I'm good. I think it's a little krausen or some gunk that gets in there when I add the hops. Maybe a small mesh filter is a solution...

I find it tedious to be sure. Regarding leaking of Co2, overtightening seems to be much worse than undertightening. I always use a little lube around the o-rings and there is a definite sweet spot. Unfortunately, I tend to only find the leaks with a surprisingly empty Co2 tank while putting a few lbs of pressure on the carboy overnight while cold-crashing. Regarding transfers, I would say it takes me on average 30 minutes to transfer 5 gallons at about 7 psi. If it gets hopelessly clogged, I put a few lbs of Co2 thru the liquid port to 'blow it out."

 

[Ridenour64]

Run CO2 through the liquid post prior to starting your transfer. This should solve your clogging problems. Sediment will end up in the floating dip tube during fermentation. I don’t use a wrench to tighten my post. Actually my post are less than 100% hand tight even and leaking has not been an issue for me.

 

[secretlevel]

Run CO2 through the liquid post prior to starting your transfer. This should solve your clogging problems. Sediment will end up in the floating dip tube during fermentation. I don’t use a wrench to tighten my post. Actually my post are less than 100% hand tight even and leaking has not been an issue for me.

I have and I think this is part of the problem... Since CO2 disconnect doesn't exactly "fit" the liquid post, it never comes off easy, so I have to yank on it and twist it, which is what I think breaks my lid in the end. I might have to add a CO2 hose with a liquid disconnect on it...

 

[VikeMan]

I have and I think this is part of the problem... Since CO2 disconnect doesn't exactly "fit" the liquid post, it never comes off easy, so I have to yank on it and twist it, which is what I think breaks my lid in the end. I might have to add a CO2 hose with a liquid disconnect on it...

You might consider using disconnects with threaded swivel nut connections, which makes swapping between liquid and gas disconnects easy.

 

[Ridenour64]

I have and I think this is part of the problem... Since CO2 disconnect doesn't exactly "fit" the liquid post, it never comes off easy, so I have to yank on it and twist it, which is what I think breaks my lid in the end. I might have to add a CO2 hose with a liquid disconnect on it...

You should connect a black liquid ball lock to your co2 line to do this. Never force a grey ball lock on a liquid post. If you have swivel nut fittings, this is extremely easy. If your using fixed barb ball locks, I would change over to swivels.

 

[Dgallo]

I have and I think this is part of the problem... Since CO2 disconnect doesn't exactly "fit" the liquid post, it never comes off easy, so I have to yank on it and twist it, which is what I think breaks my lid in the end. I might have to add a CO2 hose with a liquid disconnect on it...

Are you using duotight fitting? If so, tie in a dedicated line on the regulator that has a liquid balllock on it. That or just unscrew the gas fitting from one of your regulator lines and throw on a liquid for that

 

[ShaLaH]

Just curious why some are installing a floating dip tube through the cap if they have a spigot. Why not just install a gas QD on the lid and use the spigot for samples and transfer?

 

[GoodTruble]

Just curious why some are installing a floating dip tube through the cap if they have a spigot. Why not just install a gas QD on the lid and use the spigot for samples and transfer?

Spigots are harder to keep sanitary and can leak. I would trade my ported fermonster for solid body for this closed transfer set-up if I could.

Also, floating diptube draws off the near-top, avoiding a lot of the trub and gathering clearer beer (until the end) than low-positioned spigots.

 

[Dgallo]

Just curious why some are installing a floating dip tube through the cap if they have a spigot. Why not just install a gas QD on the lid and use the spigot for samples and transfer?

Spigot pulls from the bottle where your trub and dryhops are, the floating diptube draws from the top. Originally I loved the spigot for pre dryhop gravity samples, plus I already had 3 ported fermonster so that what the build was based on.

now looking back, I could have gone none ported and used a picnic tap from the liquid side to take the samples.

 

[ShaLaH]

@GoodTruble & @Dgallo - thanks for the info. I’m toying with this approach or corny kegs for aging.

 

[RyPA]

For my past 6 or so batches I've fermented and served from the same keg using a floating dip tube. The beers taste great down to the last serving. So far I've done it with 5 batches of NEIPA and one stout. If you've haven't done it yet, give it a try.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

Just curious why some are installing a floating dip tube through the cap if they have a spigot. Why not just install a gas QD on the lid and use the spigot for samples and transfer?

That is what I do. I have a solid lid with just one disconnect and I transfer out the spigot. For me it just seem easier to use gravity and not have to mess with using extra CO2 to push out the top. I could see some benefits of having both ports though.

 

[Dgallo]

I’m hoping the fine folks that used this build can help me out. I was asked to write a DIY column for a brewing publication for this build with step by step instructions switch pictures. One of the pictures needs to be an “Action shot” of a closed transfer in progress using this lid. I don’t have any great pictures of my self doing it nor do I have anything in fermenters now.

Would anyone like to pm me with some pictures of them using this lid to transfer that has good lighting? If I use your picture I will give you credit on the photo.

 

[Brewer Mike]

I'm crashing a batch now. I can get you some pics when I transfer on Monday or Tuesday, if no one gets you any earlier.

 

[ihavenonickname]

I recently listened to a Brülosophy podcast with Martin Keen and he describes this exact method for pressure transfers. I kept waiting for him to give you or at least HBT credit for the idea… still waiting… he’s even got a video coming out on it, maybe he will give credit then. The podcast episode was not really worth listening to btw.
@Dgallo

 

[LostHopper]

Just missed a transfer by 24 hours.

And thank you for originally describing this technique here. It's been a game changer for me especially with hoppy beers but it's so simple I do it with all beers .

 

[Broken Crow]

This might not be of any use, but I love my take on it..My 'FermHead', I didn't want to be putting a strain on the lid while connecting and disconnecting, I didn't want krausen gunking up my poppets during blow-off and I wanted a single unit I could make for either my Fermonster or a sankey (with the valve-rim cut out):

And in action, not with beer but Star San while sanitizing kegs:

If it's any use to you, feel free to use any pics without credit.

 

[Deric]

Would anyone like to pm me with some pictures of them using this lid to transfer that has good lighting? If I use your picture I will give you credit on the photo.

PM sent.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

If it's any use to you, feel free to use any pics without credit.

So initially you connect a blow off tube to the ball valve? Seems like an interesting design.

 

[Dgallo]

This might not be of any use, but I love my take on it..My 'FermHead', I didn't want to be putting a strain on the lid while connecting and disconnecting, I didn't want krausen gunking up my poppets during blow-off and I wanted a single unit I could make for either my Fermonster or a sankey (with the valve-rim cut out):
View attachment 810553
View attachment 810554

And in action, not with beer but Star San while sanitizing kegs:
View attachment 810555
If it's any use to you, feel free to use any pics without credit.

Thanks for sharing but I specifically need pictures from the original build as that’s what the article is on.

Certainly clever way to do it though!