StillSmart

Re: Affordable Conical Fermenter

2016-09-08T23:18:08+00:00

Actually it was a tapped pressure barrel, hence the cleaning problems!
But my brother was a loveable Knobhead.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Thu Sep 08, 2016 11:18 pm

Re: Affordable Conical Fermenter

2016-09-08T09:00:49+00:00

To say nothing of the problem of lifting the barrel to your mouth!!!!

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Thu Sep 08, 2016 9:00 am

Re: Affordable Conical Fermenter

2016-09-07T22:14:32+00:00

I guess that it will be better than the method of my younger brother, all those years ago.
Which was to ferment in, and drink from the same barrel? A bit like one pot cooking...
"Homebrew tastes likes shit" he told me when he gave me his barrel.
The bleddy thing took some cleaning too....

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Wed Sep 07, 2016 10:14 pm

Re: Affordable Conical Fermenter

2016-09-07T08:15:02+00:00

I have a cunning plan ... new thread coming...

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Wed Sep 07, 2016 8:15 am

Re: Affordable Conical Fermenter

2016-09-07T05:47:27+00:00

Mash wrote:
But could I improve my method ? it is so well travelled my beer almost has air miles before it makes into the bottle

I think we all admire your perseverance, Mash....

Statistics: Posted by packapoo — Wed Sep 07, 2016 5:47 am

Re: Affordable Conical Fermenter

2016-09-05T22:50:13+00:00

I've used it for the first time tonight, it's a pain in the arse to sterilise, to fill etc, you pretty much need the optional stand, I did a wine kit in it but I first had to clean the cement dust off my HLT and use it for heating water to sterilise it and heating the water to add to the wine kit.

If your using the supplied wall brackets, you have no choice but to fill it on its brackets because you can't stand it on anything so if you don't have the stand you need a high up warm water source like a HLT.

Anyway, hard work done now so hopefully it will prove its worth now it's in use.

Statistics: Posted by Anavrin — Mon Sep 05, 2016 10:50 pm

Re: Affordable Conical Fermenter

2016-09-05T22:16:24+00:00

Maybe a good set of Pneumatic wheels on a purpose designed trolley?
Maybe not needed for the last stage of transportation

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Sep 05, 2016 10:16 pm

Re: Affordable Conical Fermenter

2016-09-05T09:45:46+00:00

But could I improve my method ? it is so well travelled my beer almost has air miles before it makes into the bottle

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Mon Sep 05, 2016 9:45 am

Re: Affordable Conical Fermenter

2016-09-05T09:20:57+00:00

Conical fermenters were created for a couple of reasons. If they don`t apply to your brewing method you probably don`t really need one.

1. You can use the same container for fermentation and ageing.
2. You can remove yeast and sediment during fermentation.
3. You can transfer by gravity instead of siphon.
4. They are relatively easy to clean.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Mon Sep 05, 2016 9:20 am

Re: Affordable Conical Fermenter

2016-09-05T08:13:32+00:00

It is AG beers that got me thinking. I agree about the shape/weight. Also think floor standing or bench top (with heating jacket) might be better.

I like the idea of stainless too. But the money gets silly.
http://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/f ... er-edition

The problem I am trying to solve is dragging my wash/beer about much.
I make it outside in a shed and then carry it into the house to the airing cupboard which is the perfect 20° C.
It is then racked it off, carried outside to the fridge in the shed, to cold crash.
It is then bottled. The bottles are then crated and ...... you guessed it .......
Carried into the house to the airing cupboard at 20° C
After a couple weeks the beer (3 crates) is then carried back into the shed ready for drinking.

Which led me to .........if it is not moving. I could get a stainless jobby, because the extra weight doesn't matter

Any good ideas are really really welcome.

PS. Did I mention I go out the shed to fetch beer when I want to drink it.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Mon Sep 05, 2016 8:13 am

Re: Affordable Conical Fermenter

2016-09-05T07:55:44+00:00

One major drawback with this is handling it once full because of its shape and weight, but once it's full and in use, it's easy to remove sediment without racking, and rack when needed as it has a tube you can attach to the bottom.

Think I'm only going to use it for wine and possibly AG beers.

Unless I get the floor stand to go with it, that will make life much easier I think.

Statistics: Posted by Anavrin — Mon Sep 05, 2016 7:55 am

Re: Affordable Conical Fermenter

2016-09-05T06:26:50+00:00

I am still undecided. Does the conical bit make any difference?
Handling - maybe? Trub/lees management maybe? But flavour I really doubt it if I am honest.

IMO conical is essential for our commercial cousins but is it one of those things that just doesn't translate to us ?

I fancy a new fermenter for beer and wash, but I am not sure there is a benefit over the youngs wide mouth.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Mon Sep 05, 2016 6:26 am

Re: Affordable Conical Fermenter

2016-09-04T22:42:51+00:00

I overtightened the collection ball on mine and stripped the thread right off the ball. Bought a replacement collection ball but have lost a bit of faith in it and it's just sat in its box ever since.

Statistics: Posted by Seagull — Sun Sep 04, 2016 10:42 pm

Re: Affordable Conical Fermenter

2016-09-04T19:43:37+00:00

Finally made a little progress with this, I've rigged up a 65watt bar heater under the conical fermenter but above the collection jar at the bottom and insulated the front, filled it with cold water and turned on the heater.

I'll find out if it
A, can heat up 23litres
B, if it leaks

Don't want to be putting a £30+ wine kit in there for it to all leak out!!

Statistics: Posted by Anavrin — Sun Sep 04, 2016 7:43 pm

Re: Affordable Conical Fermenter

2016-03-08T20:30:26+00:00

Finally got around to making some progress on the fermenting cabinet and insulated the back and sides, also got my two temperature controllers but it seems I wasn't paying attention when I bought them, they arnt proper STC 1000's that can control a heater and cooler but standard ones that can only control heat or cooling.

Statistics: Posted by Anavrin — Tue Mar 08, 2016 8:30 pm