Ive been using a carboy for a while and I feel like I’m ready for the next step. I’d like to go pro eventually. Does anyone have any thoughts on the Anvil crucible fermenter or the grainfather fermenter?
I recently bought a chapman 7 gallon with a 1/2 valve.
After shopping around for SS fermenters, I found that most of them were very expensive and made in china. So I figured if I’m going to pay for something that is already cheaply made why would I spend 500 dollars on it.
I like the chapman 7 gallon because it is inexpensive you can boil and chill and ferment in the same vessel. So many reasons why this is a great practice but sanitation being my main reason. Then you can close pressure transfer with it.
If your just getting into fermenters outside of a carboy I would check this one out or I would also look into fermenting in a corny keg.
I have never done it so I don’t have much first hand experience but I’m sure there are plenty on this forum who have
I have two SS Brewtech conicals (half barrel and quarter barrel) here and they are great. Yes they are made in China, but the craftsmanship on them is excellent and I have never had any problems with them. Yes they are a bit pricey but are less expensive than some of the others on the market.
Also Blichmann conicals are made by Toledo Metal Spinning , at least they used to be, which is in Toledo, Ohio. But they were way more expensive when I was looking to buy. SS Brewtech has a good reputation and quality products which steered me to them. I had to wait a few months before I got my first one (the half barrel one) but the wait was worth it. Now you can get them through More Beer.
I find this conversation so interesting because I have gone the complete opposite direction: I am looking at a 3 gal fermenter to supplement my 7 gal fermenter for my small batches.
Just goes to show how we all have different goals and purposes for our interest.
I saw a guy on YouTube yesterday lay out a cost benefit analysis for home brewing beer vs buying commercial beer. [emoji23]
I have 3 Grainfather fermenters and their glycol chiller. I find them to be well built, effective, reliable and easy to use. The chiller can run 4 fermenters and I my end up buying another one. Excellent gear.
As I always say, homebrewing to save money on beer is like buying a boat to save money on fish.
One of the less expensive stainless fermenters are the Chapman’s (I have 2 fifteen gallon models from years ago; both are fitted with the 1/2" ball valve). Also at a reasonable price point in stainless are the SS Brewbuckets (conical in form, but no bottom dump). I have two of those in 7 gallon size with thermowell (which is handy if you fit it with heat or external cooling at some point). Finally, there are pressure capable fermenters - the Kegmenter and the Kegland All Rounder are two fine examples. I use those with floating dip tubes and really like the results and the ability to use a spunding valve and carbonate with a closed system transfer to the serving keg. Just a few things to consider. Of course the buy once, cry once approach would suggest the full blown pressurizable conicals out there with bottom dump valves or the Grainfather jacketed conicals with a very unique bottom valve set up.
Just about ready to buy a Fermzilla All Rounder. Can’t hack lifting full Cornies into the keezer anymore, so pressure transfers are my #1 reason. The ability to pressure ferment pressure ferment also a plus and it’s a good fit for my fermentation fridge.
Just about any stainless fermenter you buy anywhere is ultimately made in China. I would’t let that hinder my purchase.
If you can affor a stainless conical great. They have their downsides too though. I like the large opening plastic carboys like the “Big Mouth Bubbler” … easier to move that a conical and fits in most freezers or fridges. The only way I’d consider a stainless conical is if I had the glycol system to go with it.
I use this jacket for my stainless and plastic fermenters (minifridge hooked up with a small pail of glycol and the small submersible pump). It works really well in temperatures up to 80 ambient (cooling to 52 or so); I haven’t tried cold crashing though…
Cheers.
I recently found a large scratch inside my Big Mouth Bubbler. The scratch had some stains around it (I wasn’t sure exactly what the stains were). I decided to retire it. It served me well for years.
For right now at least I moved to a white plastic bucket. I kind of like it. Cheap and easy. I like the old school handle for lifting it in and out of my chest freezer.
I need to look into something like that. I have a plastic conical (Fermzilla) that won’t fit in any options I currently have.
I use a large insulated bag-type container for extra room, as the one that comes with it is tight on all but narrow fermenters. I had this one for fermenting warm during cool months, but it works great both ways:
Any similar homemade insulated box or bag would work equally as well, I am sure.
I recently started using an old corny keg for a fermenter. It’s great and really cheap.
Thank you all for the feedback, I think I’m gonna go with a spike.
I have 2 spikes, a 1bbl and a 1/2 barrel. They are well built pieces of equipment. I’m 99% they are made in Milwaukee, WI. You will not be disappointed! When used with a glycol chiller, its just like the big boi’s
That is so funny, and true!
Like the new Chairman of the Bluebonnet Brewoff Competition told me a few days ago…there is no comparison between what we are brewing, vs. the commercial brewers.
Most commercial beers will score in the mid 30’s with BJCP types. The BOS round at this year’s Bluebonnet did not have a beer scored less than 39, with most being above 40 points. In other words, we as home brewers are blowing the big guys out of the water.
Just another reason to brew the beer you drink!
I’m also considering the Fermzilla All Rounder.
Delta Brewing Systems is what we have, 8 gallon conical ferment vessels. We own three of these, plus 3 Anvil 4 Gallon feremters, and two plastic Genesis fermenters.
The Delta’s are the best. You can pressure transfer easily with these! Plus they incorporate a dump valve on the bottom, making it easy to harvest your yeast.
Anyone who thinks commercial beer would necessarily score that low is drinking the wrong commercial beer.