Experimental Brewing Episode 72 - Questing for Answers

https://www.experimentalbrew.com/podcast/episode-72-questing-answers

ALL Q&A!

It’s time for us to answer a bunch of questions to the best of our ability (and our ability to research). Sit back and relax we’ve got 32 questions and about 63 answers! We’ll cover your Fermentation, Ingredient, Packaging, Recipe and Technique questions. (Don’t forget you can always drop us a line and get questions answered in a regular episode).

Note to Steve Ruch:  You’re our poster boy!

This is my favorite thing you guys do on the podcast.

Thanks!  I don’t know if you’re aware, but one of our IGORs has been transcribing these, also.

No, I am not aware of that. But, what is an “IGORs”?

They’re a group of volunteers who run experiments for us.  It stands for “Independent Group Of Researchers”.

Thanks!

For the guy who was asking about where to purchase 10 gallon corny kegs, CHI Company carries them (both new and refurbished).  Like you mentioned, they aren’t cheap, but they’re still my favorite fermentors.

https://www.chicompany.net/beer-store/ball-pin-lock-kegs-parts/ball-lock-kegs

Thanks!

https://www.experimentalbrew.com/transcripts - for the transcripts. I can’t even imagine doing this work!

Yes, thanks.  These are really attractive, probably well worth the price.  I hope so,  because I just ordered one.  :slight_smile:

Another great episode

Thanks, Jim!  Can’t wait to get your interview editied!

If you are planning on using it as a fermentor, I think you will be very happy with it.  One thing I would suggest though is to cut the liquid dip tube a bit.  I’ve got mine to the point where it sucks up virtually no trub and leaves virtually no clear beer behind.

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My plan is to cut the tube to leave around 2 qts for yeast harvesting.  Otherwise it seems perfect for closed fermentation and transfers and easy cleaning and sanitation.  I’ve thought about these for a while.  Other options have more small articulated parts, valves, etc than I’m comfortable with sanitation wise.

Cool! It was a lot of fun sharing a beer with you guys

So I got my new 10gal today, with one problem.  Lid wouldn’t seat.  Called Chi Co., a few pics and texts, and they identified the issue:  die improperly struck the top opening.  They gave me simple instructions to reshape it with basic hand tools, walked me through it, and sent my pics and a heads-up to their factory in PA (yes, made in USA) where this item is on the line right now (they saw this on a few several years ago.)  So I think I’ve got a good seal now, it’s a dream of a fermenter if so, didnt have to ship it back, and these guys have top-notch customer service.  My new first place to look for kegs and parts.

Kind of disappointing though that they wouldn’t pressure test as part of their QA before shipping.

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True, but all’s well that ends well.  If it’s in production now I wonder if they just pulled one off the line to fulfil my order.  They were super helpful and responsive anyway.  Bet QA gets a review after this.  On the upside, this thing is not just made in the USA, it’s made like an old Detroit behemoth, a ton of heavy gauge steel with robust sanitary welds.

(Good thing about this company, it’s all vertically integrated.  If I’d bought from a retailer, who bought from random distributors,  who bought from random manufacturers,  I’d have been screwed.)

Yeah, glad to hear they cared enough to walk you through a fix.  I looked hard at these a while back and I’m still considering.  I think this fermenter with a Clear Beer Draught System or shortened diptube could be very effective.  I like the idea of crashing under pressure to avoid o2.  Wish they made an in-between 7.5 gallon.

Got a text, the problem was caught about 50 kegs into the run, they stopped production to recut the die.  So anybody else ordering these, inspired like me by narcout’s tip above, should be good.  I raised the issue of pressure testing, and the response was essentially, “yeah, that would make sense, it is a pressure vessel…”