15+GAL conical fermentor build project

[fakr]

Hey guys,

I've been reviewing this article for some time, and I think, with new ferm chamber build , that it's time I pull the trigger on this project as well.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/super-s ... al-276378/

These are food grade polyethylene conical tanks, used for liquid storage.  They are very cheap, like $60US for a 15GAL tank cheap.

The whole build is contained in the above link, including a wooden stand, yeast catcher bottle, etc.

Looking at the dimentions of the 15GAL conicals, I will be making two to fit in my ferm chamber.

Just thought I'd share this info with the group in case any of you are interested.

[ANGELofDEBT]

I have one that I'm about to pick up in Calais today.

I'll post pictures of it and comments once I brew in it.

[fakr]

Nice!  good to hear others are looking into it as well.

you getting the 15GAL model?

Did you order up all the additional fittings as well?  you installing a racking port as well?

[ANGELofDEBT]

Nice!  good to hear others are looking into it as well.

you getting the 15GAL model?

Did you order up all the additional fittings as well?  you installing a racking port as well?

Yes I got the 15 gal model as my plan is to do 10 Gal AG.
No I did not order fittings with it. I have a good connection with a plumber who's gonna help.
No I'm not going to do a racking port. My plan was to do like in the Home Brew Talk thread and build a yeast collector.

[fakr]

cool, good luck!  post pics of your build if you can.

The main attraction to building this conical with a yeast catcher is the amount and compaction of yeast the collector will collect, and with a secondary ball valve at the opening of the collector, it's a matter of closing the secondary valve before removing the collector, and your yeast isn't exposed to the outside environment until you repitch or wash.

[Chris Craig]

I've seen this before.  I've been drooling over it for a while.  I just don't think it'd fit in my fermentation chamber which is only 3' tall $60 sounds like a steal!

[ANGELofDEBT]

OK so I was finally able to get the thing home. Expired passport made it hard to go over the border to pick it up.

The thing is pretty big. Not surprising since it's 15 gal.

The next issue was getting the fittings to use it. So after another week got the fitting I needed.

Since I went with the 2" male pipe thread outlet, a mistake now that I have it, I used a 2" ball valve.

I then needed to build a stand for it so with 2" x 2" I made a stand.

It then got cleaned and sterilised. Since I currently only make Festa Brew I tossed 2 boxes in and threw in yeast.

I did find a way to install an airlock but it's not bubbling. So the lid must not be airtight. I'll look into that after this batch is done.

I can't seem to figure out how to attach pics, anybody know how?

[fakr]

How are you making out with your Ferm build?

If you want to attach a pic, browse for it with the below button, then click add, then I think there's a button to paste the attached pic inline....something like that.

[ANGELofDEBT]

I have built a stand and put the fittings together. Some leak testing took place and then progressed to cleaning.

I put in about a gallon of water and some diversol (pink cleaner). Scrubbed the inside and then drained. Refilled with about 5 gallons of water with more diversol, and scrubbed again. Drained and then rinsed. Being very short on available beer I tossed in 2 boxes of Festa Brew. Realised as I was pouring the second box that I had not "tested" the stand with 10 gals of water. Then has this vision of the stand failing and 10 gals of wort all over the floor. Thankfully my build was OK and every stayed where it should.

Again since I was short on available beer, I finished my last keg on Wed night, I rushed the beer. Man draining from the bottom to fill the kegs was much faster than siphoning.

P.S. I still can't seem to find how to add a picture from my computer. I can find how to add an image from a url.

[Dave Savoie]

If you use facebook upload it to there then click on the facebook picture make it huge   right click on it and copy IMG URL and then add it here