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Date: 06 Aug 2006 17:07:14
From: Wheat
Subject: Concial Fermentors
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I did a search on this newsgroup for "conical fermentors" before asking this
question and got no hits, so here goes:
I was thinking of ordering the MiniBrew 6.5 Fermenter, does anyone have any
opinions <G > on this product?
Ease of use, cleaning, quality of product produced (wine or beer) or any
comments?
Thanks,
Bill
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Date: 07 Aug 2006 04:10:51
From: John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Subject: Re: Concial Fermentors
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On Sun, 6 Aug 2006 17:07:14 -0700, <kotosho@netscape.net > wrote:
> I did a search on this newsgroup for "conical fermentors" before asking this
> question and got no hits, so here goes:
>
> I was thinking of ordering the MiniBrew 6.5 Fermenter, does anyone have any
> opinions <G> on this product?
>
> Ease of use, cleaning, quality of product produced (wine or beer) or any
> comments?
Personally, my main question regarding conical fermenters is... why?
I can buy a lot of carboys/buckets for the same price that do the same
thing. If you're asking because you really, really want one, that's
one thing. But, if you're looking just because they're the latest "cool"
gadget... IMO your money is better spent elsewhere.
Like a lot of other expensive gadgets in brewing (sculptures, etc), they
won't make your beer any better. The reason to get one is because you
like playing with new/different things. IOW, don't expect to win any
competitions just because you have a conical.
John.
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Date: 07 Aug 2006 11:11:19
From: Craig Bennett
Subject: Re: Concial Fermentors
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I bought/built a conical earlier this year based on the Toledo hopper.
On the plus side, I can now do larger 12gal batches, it is a little easier
to use in terms of not racking primary - secondary, just dumping trub
instead, and I like the stainless steel for ease of cleaning.
Is my beer any better ? - Absolutely not, it's exactly the same, (happily
"the same" its still pretty good :-)
Although Im basically happy with the conical, with the benifit of hindsight
then I dont think I'd buy it again unless it were really really cheap. I
think I'd save some money, and just buy larger 12gal buckets, ss
containers - whatever, and install a valve for racking.
Craig B
"John 'Shaggy' Kolesar" <spam@shagg.net > wrote in message
news:slrneddfel.pup.spam@weizen.shagg.net...
> On Sun, 6 Aug 2006 17:07:14 -0700, <kotosho@netscape.net> wrote:
>> I did a search on this newsgroup for "conical fermentors" before asking
>> this
>> question and got no hits, so here goes:
>>
>> I was thinking of ordering the MiniBrew 6.5 Fermenter, does anyone have
>> any
>> opinions <G> on this product?
>>
>> Ease of use, cleaning, quality of product produced (wine or beer) or any
>> comments?
>
> Personally, my main question regarding conical fermenters is... why?
>
> I can buy a lot of carboys/buckets for the same price that do the same
> thing. If you're asking because you really, really want one, that's
> one thing. But, if you're looking just because they're the latest "cool"
> gadget... IMO your money is better spent elsewhere.
>
> Like a lot of other expensive gadgets in brewing (sculptures, etc), they
> won't make your beer any better. The reason to get one is because you
> like playing with new/different things. IOW, don't expect to win any
> competitions just because you have a conical.
>
>
> John.
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Date: 07 Aug 2006 08:02:21
From: Wheat
Subject: Re: Concial Fermentors
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Appreciate the comments from Dick, Greg and John.
It's not a very big investment, I found the 6.5 gallon fermenter on ebay for
less than $90.00 and if it enchances my enjoyment and simplifies the process
somewhat I'll feel it was a justifiable expense.
Thanks,
Bill
--
The Hawke Rides Again!
"John 'Shaggy' Kolesar" <spam@shagg.net > wrote in message
news:slrneddfel.pup.spam@weizen.shagg.net...
> On Sun, 6 Aug 2006 17:07:14 -0700, <kotosho@netscape.net> wrote:
>> I did a search on this newsgroup for "conical fermentors" before asking
>> this
>> question and got no hits, so here goes:
>>
>> I was thinking of ordering the MiniBrew 6.5 Fermenter, does anyone have
>> any
>> opinions <G> on this product?
>>
>> Ease of use, cleaning, quality of product produced (wine or beer) or any
>> comments?
>
> Personally, my main question regarding conical fermenters is... why?
>
> I can buy a lot of carboys/buckets for the same price that do the same
> thing. If you're asking because you really, really want one, that's
> one thing. But, if you're looking just because they're the latest "cool"
> gadget... IMO your money is better spent elsewhere.
>
> Like a lot of other expensive gadgets in brewing (sculptures, etc), they
> won't make your beer any better. The reason to get one is because you
> like playing with new/different things. IOW, don't expect to win any
> competitions just because you have a conical.
>
>
> John.
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Date: 07 Aug 2006 09:24:57
From: bregent
Subject: Re: Concial Fermentors
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In article <qKKdnYOoW4NkyErZnZ2dnUVZ_rqdnZ2d@comcast.com >, Wheat says...
>
>Appreciate the comments from Dick, Greg and John.
>
>It's not a very big investment, I found the 6.5 gallon fermenter on ebay for
>less than $90.00 and if it enchances my enjoyment and simplifies the process
>somewhat I'll feel it was a justifiable expense.
I think you'll find that at the 5 gallon batch level, it won't really simplify
the process and may make it a bit more difficult. At larger volues (10+ gallons)
it begins to make more sense.
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Date: 10 Aug 2006 22:22:16
From: rjwhite6
Subject: Re: Concial Fermentors
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On 7 Aug 2006 04:10:51 GMT, John 'Shaggy' Kolesar <spam@shagg.net >
wrote:
>Personally, my main question regarding conical fermenters is... why?
>
>I can buy a lot of carboys/buckets for the same price that do the same
>thing. If you're asking because you really, really want one, that's
>one thing. But, if you're looking just because they're the latest "cool"
>gadget... IMO your money is better spent elsewhere.
>
>Like a lot of other expensive gadgets in brewing (sculptures, etc), they
>won't make your beer any better. The reason to get one is because you
>like playing with new/different things. IOW, don't expect to win any
>competitions just because you have a conical.
>
>
>John.
Even though I am a gadget guy (I even have a D.O. meter), I wouldn't
buy one with my own money.
But since my employer has hinted that Santa will bring me a 7.5 gal SS
Fermenator, I will gladly accept it :-)
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Date: 06 Aug 2006 20:18:21
From: Greg LaPolla
Subject: Re: Concial Fermentors
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I have the 15 gallon version. I can use it 4 months out of the year
the rest of the time I have carboys in the fridge. I have never had a
problem, however I bought the seal kit and it kind of a pain. Other
than that I have no complaints.
Cleaning is not that difficult I use PBW and a soft scrubber, then I
fill it with starsan.
I got mine on ebay for alomost half what they sell it for on there
website. Check the ebay store Advanced Homebrew Equipment.
Greg
Wheat wrote:
> I did a search on this newsgroup for "conical fermentors" before asking this
> question and got no hits, so here goes:
>
> I was thinking of ordering the MiniBrew 6.5 Fermenter, does anyone have any
> opinions <G> on this product?
>
> Ease of use, cleaning, quality of product produced (wine or beer) or any
> comments?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bill
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Date: 06 Aug 2006 19:36:01
From: Wheat
Subject: Re: Concial Fermentors
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Dick Adams wrote:
> Wheat <kotosho@netscape.net> wrote:
>
> > I did a search on this newsgroup for "conical fermentors" before
> > asking this question and got no hits, so here goes:
> >
> > I was thinking of ordering the MiniBrew 6.5 Fermenter, does
> > anyone have any opinions <G> on this product?
> >
> > Ease of use, cleaning, quality of product produced (wine or beer)
> > or any comments?
>
> I've never used a conical. But I have sure thought about getting
> one. I cold to cool ferment everything. So the question to me
> has always been how many months a year is my basement at or below
> 68F (20C) and how will I cool the conical in the other months.
>
> Take a look at the USDA Hardiness Zone map. The map is at
> http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html
> OR
> http://tinyurl.com/9slrr
>
> If you live in Zone greater than 7b and you want to cool ferment,
> you need a fermentation fridge. I live in 7a and my basement is
> at or below 68F eight months out of the year. That means come
> ober, my basement starts being lined with primary pails.
>
> ====
> $120.99 for a 6.5 gallon conical is a damn good price. Hopefully
> it includes the legs! :)
>
> Notice the lip at the top. That lip must be thoroughly cleaned.
> It appears that you can stick your hand inside to do that.
>
> I'v never heard anyone bitch about a conical except when it comes
> to cooling mentioned above.
>
> Best of luck,
>
> Dick
Thanks Dick:
I'm in zone 5 and the basement stays fairly cool in the summer.
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Date: 07 Aug 2006 02:57:56
From: Dick Adams
Subject: Re: Concial Fermentors
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Wheat <wsparhawk@comcast.net > wrote:
> Thanks Dick:
>
> I'm in zone 5 and the basement stays fairly cool in the summer.
Zone 5 is a great brewing zone! Consider getting two or go for
the 15 gallon conical! But do not mention my name to your wife!
Dick
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Date: 07 Aug 2006 02:25:52
From: Dick Adams
Subject: Re: Concial Fermentors
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Wheat <kotosho@netscape.net > wrote:
> I did a search on this newsgroup for "conical fermentors" before
> asking this question and got no hits, so here goes:
>
> I was thinking of ordering the MiniBrew 6.5 Fermenter, does
> anyone have any opinions <G> on this product?
>
> Ease of use, cleaning, quality of product produced (wine or beer)
> or any comments?
I've never used a conical. But I have sure thought about getting
one. I cold to cool ferment everything. So the question to me
has always been how many months a year is my basement at or below
68F (20C) and how will I cool the conical in the other months.
Take a look at the USDA Hardiness Zone map. The map is at
http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html
OR
http://tinyurl.com/9slrr
If you live in Zone greater than 7b and you want to cool ferment,
you need a fermentation fridge. I live in 7a and my basement is
at or below 68F eight months out of the year. That means come
ober, my basement starts being lined with primary pails.
====
$120.99 for a 6.5 gallon conical is a damn good price. Hopefully
it includes the legs! :)
Notice the lip at the top. That lip must be thoroughly cleaned.
It appears that you can stick your hand inside to do that.
I'v never heard anyone bitch about a conical except when it comes
to cooling mentioned above.
Best of luck,
Dick
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