Plastic conical fermenter

[Newbie]

Anyone tried one of these?

Likes? Dislikes?

For $150 I am thinking about getting a 15 gallon one.

Here is a link:

http://www.tank-depot.com/productdetail ... t=TN1923IN

[codewritinfool]

Yeah, a guy in my brewclub did something similar, he ended up cutting around that screw-on top and making a new plexiglas top. He put a lot of money into it by the time he was done. Not long after that he bought a stainless conical.

Still uses the plastic too, though.

[ChrisKennedy]

The advantages of a conical fermenter are not nearly enough, to me, to make something like that worth it. Especially if you don't have a way of controlling the fermentation temperature of a vessel that size.

[Newbie]

I was planning on fermenting in a converted refrigerator.

[Kbar]

I was planning on fermenting in a converted refrigerator.

That's what I do. Stainless conical into my fridge with a temp controller........As for plastic, take a look at the more cost effective, meaning sub $300 SS conicals online on Craig's List and Ebay.

[Landshark]

I use a 30gal plastic conical from the same store. I've added a stainless tri clam adapter (1.5in NPT) and then a stainless ball valve. So far so good. The plastic conical is nice because you can see the trub level and ultimately the yeast buildup post fermentation. IMO - going plastic for a few hundred bucks is a nice way to learn about how to use a conical. Eventually you will want to consider stainless (all of the reasons listed on this forum). Also, make sure you look into some casters (Harbor Freight) so you can move that bad boy! Consider attaching it to a furniture moving cart ($10 Harbor Freight). 4 casters are better than three and you'll add a little more height to the conical for transfers, etc.

My process for 20gal batched is to ferment in the conical and transfer as soon as possible to a sankey keg (bright tank/serving tank). Even if you want to move to cornies later or 1/6 bbls. Cleaning the plastic conical is easy. Spray with water, then PBW soak/rinse and then fill with Starsan and put the lid back on. No scrubing on the inside.

I'm brewing an Oktoberfest batch this week. I'll follow the above process and lager during the remaining cold months before putting the sankey in a chest freezer until Sept/October.

Happy brewing!

-Shark

Anyone tried one of these?

Likes? Dislikes?

For $150 I am thinking about getting a 15 gallon one.

Here is a link:

http://www.tank-depot.com/productdetail ... t=TN1923IN

[Cliff]

Every post I've read by an owner of a poly conical has been positive.


I got a conical and have enjoyed it enormously.

[Cliff]

The online price is $59.00
Where'd you get the $159.00 ? You thinking of purchasing the metal stand too?
Consider building one from wood. Cheaper and look better and you can build handles and other appurtenances onto it.

For $59.00 if you want a conical you are crazy not to get one.
It's only $17.00 to ship it
Don't get the cross linked polyethylene version, get the liner polyethylene it's an FDA approved material.


Don't buy their 2" PP bulkhead fitting for the bottom. There's cheaper sources

I got one from these guys
http://www.pressureparts.com/U-Fittings ... ducts.aspx
They took a long time to deliver it 'cause of issues with their supplier, but the fitting is just fine. Black polypropylene