Blichmann 27 Gallon Conical - what are your thoughts?

[Kyle]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking at the Blichmann Fermenator, 27 gallon conical , with NPT fittigns. is there anyone local who has any size in the Blichmann conical line? If you don't mind I'd like to get your assessment of the product.

This is the one I'm considering:

http://www.morebeer.com/products/blichmann-27-gallon-fermenator-conical-standard-fittings.html

This seems to be the best price in Canada:
http://www.homebrewsupplies.ca/product/714-conical-fermenator-27-gallon/

[Two Wheeler]

No experience. At that investment, why not go tri-clover? And what system are you using for that capacity?

But yeah I always advocate for new shiny things!

[Kyle]

My system accommodates 20 to 26 gallon batches, depending on O.G. Triclover is not viable for me right now. The extra $250 for them on the Blingman is only the beginning. I'd need to convert other parts of my system to tri-clamp as well.

[Two Wheeler]

My system accommodates 20 to 26 gallon batches, depending on O.G. Triclover is not viable for me right now. The extra $250 for them on the Blingman is only the beginning. I'd need to convert other parts of my system to tri-clamp as well.

Awesome, that's a lot of beer.    And I suppose you're right, no sense of having 1/2 TC and 1/2 NPT on your whole system. NPT never seems to give people issues anyway

[Kyle]

The instructions say not to exceed 21 gallons in the fermenter. Out of curiosity, I put 26 gallons of Light Summer Ale in there, with a blow-off tube.


My initial impressions are as follows:

Pros:
- The distance between the airlock hole and the corny-style hatch is perfect for attaching and removing a CIP spray ball, without having to remove the whole lid.

- No need to buy the blow-off kit, I was able to make a weldless bulkhead with a ball valve and camlocks to function as the blow-off / CIP hookup / gas-in port. The hole is wider than what 'off-the shelf' bulkheads can accommodate, so Macgyvering is necessary.

- unit seems well designed and is easy to CIP

- compact design, and will fit in a fridge

- all the awesomeness of being a conical


Cons:
- The cone seems a little thin, and I can see it bend, even when very carefully opening the valve.

- The massive clamp that goes around the top seems very fragile

[Two Wheeler]

Awesome  That didn't take long at all to get to you

[blisster]

Would really be interested in seeing this setup sometime 

[Kyle]

I'm sure that can work. I'm super busy for now, but I might host a meeting in the fall