I have been fermenting in my 6 gal glass fermenters for many years. I have them in milk crates to avoid destruction. However the Speidel 30L plastic with handles looks like an attractive option to carry my wort from the garage to the basement. I don’t want a conical as I don’t have the room.
Anybody use one?
How is the durability?
Thanks
I have the 3.2 gallon / 12L one. Looks like all components (lid, airlock, valve) are the same as the 30L model.
I like mine a lot, so much so that I bought a second. I find it very easy to clean, easy to stick your arm inside the oversized lid hole, the lid seals solid, spout works as expected.
Nitpicking…
You can’t really see through the fermenter so if you like to watch krausen develop and fall, you will be disappointed. You can sort of see it, but not very clearly.
The “O-ring” gasket for the lid has a tendency to swell/expand after some time and eventually becomes a pain to seat inside the lid groove. I would order a spare lid o-ring for that day way down the road when you need it.
Can’t speak to 30L model, but I cannot carry the 12L model by the handle with the air-lock in place. If you lift the handle it would hit the air-lock. I imagine this would be the same as the 30L. Not a big deal, but something to consider.
None of these issues would keep me from buying a third! 
Thank you for your review. I will order a 2nd o-ring
I have the 30L and I love it. The valve works great to transfer beer into a bottling bucket while leaving the trub behind without the gravity/hose situation making a mess 
The large lid opening at the top makes it quite a bit easier to clean than a traditional glass carboy too.
Appreciate the comments. I will be placing an order
Completely agree and I experienced the same. I like being able to see the krausen but visibility is sacrificed for durability. I brew every couple weeks and haven’t used mine in a year, only because I’ve done pressure fermentations and pressurized closed transfers. Now i’m thinking i’ll bust it out and make my wife a cider.
I’ve had good luck with my Fermonsters, too. Their walls are much thinner, tho; so they flex more when you them.
Whoops, edited for clarity. How tall is the 12L Speidel including the airlock? (I saw Megary’s response, TY in advance, no rush) But thanks also to Drewch!
The Fermonster?
The 12-L / 3-gal is right about 19 inches / 48 cm tall. I just happened to be cleaning one this morning…
Just saw this and I’m at work. I’ll check later when I get home.
Just short of 20” without any liquid (or bubbles!) in the airlock. I’d probably add an inch to that to cover for ongoing fermentation.
Hope this helps.
(Look at me, posting pictures on the AHA forum. Will wonders never cease.)
Thank you! I currently rotate between several 5-gallon food-safe buckets I bought a few years back and drilled for spigots and airlocks, but I’ve had them a while, so even with good care, I suspect at some point I should replace them. Given my environment, I may stick with buckets. It’s 17" to the top of the airlock, and a centered 20" airlock would put this right up against the thermostat thingy. It’s a Danby 2.6 cubic foot all-fridge dorm fridge.
Megary. Are you sure you are measuring a 30L? Your picture seems to be smaller than that. My 30L is 20” high WITHOUT the airlock.
I measured the 12L. Unless I misunderstood, that was the question from kgs.
Correct, I was asking about the 12L.
Sorry. I did not realize that we were no longer discussing the 30L.
I have owned two of them for years. Very durable, I’ve never been concerned about the handle construction/strength. Easy to clean and the spigot makes sampling and transferring simple. I outfitted an extra cap with a gas post for sealed transfers. Also outfitted an extra lid for a 4 inch dia stainless cooling coil and thermo well.
I am NOT a paid promoter of Speidel
Fermenter arrived Friday in time for my brown ale. Just put about 6 gal in it
Really like the handles
I won’t add the airlock until the temp reaches equilibrium with my basement
Was it your choice to not put the spigot on before filling? It is useful for taking hydrometer samples and other things.
I did not put on the spigot. I transfer from the fermenter to my keg using my racking cane which I personally prefer
