Just came across an add for SS Brewing Technologies stainless steel conical fermentor. http://www.ssbrewtech.com/products/7-gallon-chronical
from the looks of the pictures on the website they look very good and they are much less expensive than the Blichmann equivalent.
Does anyone out there have one and if so what is your opinion of it. They claim they will have a 14 gallon version early next year?
rob
Says they are sold out, so we may never know
Never heard of them, but I’m curious to know what a “chronical” fermentor is. ???
Very shiny.
I think conicals are a waste of money unless you are brewing very large batches of beer. The amount of work that goes into cleaning and caring for them is not worth it when compared to the other available options on a homebrew scale. Not to mention you have better uses for your money - fermentation temperature control, a mill, motorizing your mill, pumps, building yourself a keezer and an awesome bar, etc.
It’s your money though 
I’m glad to hear a pro confirm my suspicion
I’d not heard of them before this post. I have a 14 gal Blichmann Fermenator that I love and wouldn’t want to ferment any other way, but this looks like a really good deal. They appear to come standard with tri-clover fittings which makes it an even bigger bargain.
They’re sold out, so presumably someone has bought them. I look forward to hearing a review.
I mostly agree but if you can get a conical with some type of cip set up clean up sure is easy. Problem is most homebrew conicals don’t have threadless ports and the threads all need cleaned. It is a real PITA.
Four reasons I bought a Stout Tanks conical in order of importance from least to most:
*Looks cool (I admit it)
*Thermal conductivity
*Ease of cleaning (no threads and the entire top comes off)
*Easy & sanitary yeast harvesting
Was it worth the $329? I suppose. I will also admit that I had the money burning a hole in my pocket. I resisted for like 3-4 weeks telling myself that I didn’t really need it. I’m weak.
$329 is nothing for a famous billionaire like you. Us poor folk have to stick with plastic.
I actually found my conical easier to clean than my buckets were. And it will never have permanent stains or aromas. Plus it does look cool in my pub.
Yeah, we pastors are known for all the money we make.
What are your thoughts n what constitutes a large batch? I’m doing 15 gal batches and am seriously considering some 20 gal fermenters because lugging 3 pails etc up and down stairs is getting to be a problem. But I’m also unsure if this is really the right move.
How are you planning to get 15 gallons up and down the stairs? Would the 20 gallon one stay downstairs, or would you have to pump the wort up?
15 gallons is getting close in my opinion - it is the difference between having to clean 3 vessels vs. 1. If you have it set up to CIP like Keith suggests, then it is even easier. But then we’re talking triclamps, pump, spray ball, etc. Nice if you have the money for it.
I’m on their waiting list. Don’t know if I’ll pull the trigger when their lottery picks my number, but let’s be honest… Who doesn’t want more shiny stainless in their brewery? Besides, the economics of home brewing are a lie (we of course don’t say that out loud to our spouses!). I spend a heck of a lot more on “market research” ie new commercial craft beer, to help me refine my recipes and techniques than my wife would prefer. But hey, if you want to make great homebrew, you have to crack a few bottle caps!
[quote=“tschmidlin, post:13, topic:14882, username:tschmidlin”]
[quote=“gmac, post:12, topic:14882, username:gmac”]
I have one Blichmann 27 and a 42. Yes, $$$ but I am really happy with them. I set up a CIP and is semi-automated. This took me a few years, I was concerned about quality of the fermenters from China and that may have been my final sway to stay with the Blichmanns. Already have their 55 kettle, 30 kettle and heat exchanger. I know big batches. Took a few years and am almost a happy man.
I just got my first SS Conical and I love it, It’s a Stout Tanks 23g and the only complaint that I have about it is that it did not come with a racking arm, sold seperately for 39.99. It is great for doing 20g batches and it still fits in my cabinet freezer for conditioning.
Yeah I have the stout 14.5g conical. I love it…but mine is the model just prior to yours. I don’t have a nice tri-clamp fitting on the lid like you do just a really irritating 90 degree hose barb. That’s the only complaint I have with it.
I got the 7 gal Brew Bucket by SS Technologies last week. I think it is a real bargain at the price. I’ve been using a 15 gal plastic from Hobby Beverage for several years along with glass fermenters, so I’m in a position to make comparisons. The only thing missing on the SS Tech Brew Bucket is a dump valve on the bottom, but I can live without that. OK, there is no thermowell, but I stuck a fermentometer on the side and it is reasonably accurate. The quality of the workmanship is superb, and the rotating racking arm is clever but a bit short for my taste (I wish my Hobby Bev fermenter had one). I have a beer fermenting in it right now, and I’ve used the racking arm to take samples for SG measurements (very convenient!). So far, this thing is two thumbs up!
My first one came about a week ago, had a pin hole in the bottom of it. Called up SS Tech. and they gave me $50 back and sent me a new bucket. It arrived two days ago and it is free of leaks. I plan on brewing Monday, yeast starter is spinning away tonight.
To my mind, one of the best parts about a hobby is being able to play with gear or processes simply because you’re intrigued, curious, or fascinated. No other justification is needed.