I’ve been brewing for the past few years in a Fast Fermenter without any real issues.
Some of my beers have been pretty good, others not so much.
I’d like to try and improve my beer through fermentation control and to that end have been thinking about a different fermenter.
There are a few used ones in my area and I’d like some opinions from more experienced brewers on which one might be best.
Here are some things that I think are important to the decision.
Trying to accomplish this in the most cost effective way.
I keg….
I brew 8-10 batches per year.
I have never harvested yeast, but I do like removing the yeast collection cup from the fast fermenter before transferring to the keg.
Next to temp control, I really would like to graduate from gravity feed into closed transfer of the beer - fermenter to keg. In fact I’m really interested in keeping the entire fermenting process closed if possible.
Option 1. Add a cooling coil and heat blanket to the fast fermenter and keep on brewing. This would definitely be the most cost effective method, but I don’t think closed transfers are an option. Total cost for this option is $125.00
Option 2. I found a Legacy SS Brewtech Chronical with a domed lid and single 1.5 TC port or $200.00. It’s the original chronical, not the updated version. I could add the cooling coil through a stopper in the TC port and purchase a heating pad for a total of approximately $125.00. This is not the SS Brewtech FTSS set up which is over $300.00. I like the conical, but it seems limiting with a single port domed lid….. With this option total cost would be $325.00
Option 3: I found a Spike Flex with a pressure lid, beer transfer manifold (not the pressure fermenting set up), cooling coil, heating pad, jacket, thermowell, tc clamps/gaskets. $350.00…. I do like this set up, but it’s not a conical.
I am going to try the cooler cold water method and already have an inkbird, hoses and pump so none of those items are reflected in the above prices.
We already have two refrigerators, a large food freezer and a keezer so I don’t have the space to add a fermentation chamber (wish I could).
If you were me, which option would you take?
Some of my beers have been pretty good, others not so much.
I’d like to try and improve my beer through fermentation control and to that end have been thinking about a different fermenter.
There are a few used ones in my area and I’d like some opinions from more experienced brewers on which one might be best.
Here are some things that I think are important to the decision.
Trying to accomplish this in the most cost effective way.
I keg….
I brew 8-10 batches per year.
I have never harvested yeast, but I do like removing the yeast collection cup from the fast fermenter before transferring to the keg.
Next to temp control, I really would like to graduate from gravity feed into closed transfer of the beer - fermenter to keg. In fact I’m really interested in keeping the entire fermenting process closed if possible.
Option 1. Add a cooling coil and heat blanket to the fast fermenter and keep on brewing. This would definitely be the most cost effective method, but I don’t think closed transfers are an option. Total cost for this option is $125.00
Option 2. I found a Legacy SS Brewtech Chronical with a domed lid and single 1.5 TC port or $200.00. It’s the original chronical, not the updated version. I could add the cooling coil through a stopper in the TC port and purchase a heating pad for a total of approximately $125.00. This is not the SS Brewtech FTSS set up which is over $300.00. I like the conical, but it seems limiting with a single port domed lid….. With this option total cost would be $325.00
Option 3: I found a Spike Flex with a pressure lid, beer transfer manifold (not the pressure fermenting set up), cooling coil, heating pad, jacket, thermowell, tc clamps/gaskets. $350.00…. I do like this set up, but it’s not a conical.
I am going to try the cooler cold water method and already have an inkbird, hoses and pump so none of those items are reflected in the above prices.
We already have two refrigerators, a large food freezer and a keezer so I don’t have the space to add a fermentation chamber (wish I could).
If you were me, which option would you take?
