DIY conical fermenter ????

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Piperbrew

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I fully expect someone has made a conical fermenter here but I saw this whilst looking this eve. I used to have one for my hens so know what they are like but if anyone has converted one what fittings did you use for the bottom where the yeast bottle goes. I am going to have a think about it or whether its better just to buy one as opposed to the work converting it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Poultry-Tr...Birds-Tripod-Stand/650361903?iid=172533372266
 
Looking good as per ...

"Polypropylene is a widely used plastic. PP plastics are approved for food contact. It’s nonvolatile and doesn’t react to liquids, acids, or bases, so it’s perfect to store a wide variety of foods."

The bottom take-off looks to be easily adaptable with a domestic water ball-valve similar to these ...

https://www.valvesonline.co.uk/manual-valves/ball-valves/plastic.html

The top fitting looks to be easily modified to make it secure enough to fit an air-lock system.

The only "negative" I can see is a pretty big one though. The corrugated sides would make it incredibly difficult to clean after a fermentation; especially as access is limited to the small hole in the top or the bottom. However, this isn't an insurmountable problem. An angled probe fitted to a Karcher high pressure washer would blast off anything that could stick to the sides.

Assuming the following prices:
  • £30 for the vessel.
  • £10 for the bottom valve.
  • £10 for plastic tubing & cap to make sediment trap.
  • Two hours work.
  • £10 to adapt a Karcher.
The Total of £60 stacks up very nicely against a ready made fermentor like this one ...

https://www.balliihoo.co.uk/fastfer...MIuvf2l_mP2QIV5r3tCh2MgA2SEAQYBSABEgLzmfD_BwE

and a stand like this ...

https://www.balliihoo.co.uk/#advanced_search_result.php?keywords=fermenter+stand&x=0&y=0

... for a Total of +/-£110.

Worth thinking about for sure!:gulp:
 
But if you consider that you can buy a fermentasaurus for £100 and it’s epic, and you get everything with it to ferment beer it’s no competition in my book.
 
Stick it in the brew larder.... check out freecycle or gum tree ypthe come up now and again, as simple as a brew fridge.
 
Dutto said:
As a matter f interest, how are you supposed to warm up or cool down a Fermentasaurus or any other conical type of FV?,:gulp:
Click to expand...

If space allows, which lets be honest its always the consideration with anything home brew related. I would do as others say and pick up a cheap fridge on fleabay, freecycle or the local gumtree. That, an inkbird and a small tube heater and you have a temp controlled environment for your beer :cheers:
 
Hmm. I thought as much. Having to source and fit up a fridge with about 1.5m internal height would mean I have to rip the garage work surfaces to bits to get it in. (Or tell SWMBO to take her washing machine and drier somewhere else. A truly dangerous option!)

Shame really but I will have to give it a miss - for now!
 
Thanks for the replies and Dutto , great info from you.

Its only a thought at the moment for a future project possibly. It is also the first container I found on the search so I am pretty sure there will be better. With regards to siting it, well no probs when your single as no one to complain :thumb:.. I am actually planning my next house move in my head with a nice big man shed for all my hobbies.

Oh and I know you can get them with smooth sides as the one I had so my hens was, you can get them with bigger lids to I believe.

Edit. Now if this could be adapted to take a valve it would be better.
https://www.ukpoultrysupplies.co.uk/products/details/hooper-feeder-40-lt.html
or this
https://www.ukpoultrysupplies.co.uk/products/details/1019.html?adid=78&aditem=1019&dyadid=71
 
Last edited:
Piperbrew said:
Thanks for the replies and Dutto , great info from you.

Its only a thought at the moment for a future project possibly. It is also the first container I found on the search so I am pretty sure there will be better. With regards to siting it, well no probs when your single as no one to complain :thumb:.. I am actually planning my next house move in my head with a nice big man shed for all my hobbies.

Oh and I know you can get them with smooth sides as the one I had so my hens was, you can get them with bigger lids to I believe.

Edit. Now if this could be adapted to take a valve it would be better.
https://www.ukpoultrysupplies.co.uk/products/details/hooper-feeder-40-lt.html
or this
https://www.ukpoultrysupplies.co.uk/products/details/1019.html?adid=78&aditem=1019&dyadid=71
Click to expand...
Just go straight to this and stick a draw off butterfly on the bottom and a racking arm in the side

https://www.tanks-direct.co.uk/water-tanks/conical-tanks/cone-tanks/40-litre-conical-tank.html

You can go man size and go 200 liter :beer6:
 
Now we are talking !....superb find...as certainly would be stronger and steeper sides. The stands aren't cheap but easy to make or if like me a mate can make it and powder coat for free.
 
Piperbrew said:
Now we are talking !....superb find...as certainly would be stronger and steeper sides. The stands aren't cheap but easy to make or if like me a mate can make it and powder coat for free.
Click to expand...
Believe me i have been looking, designing and working on large scale budget conicals for a while :nod:
 
Dutto said:
As a matter f interest, how are you supposed to warm up or cool down a Fermentasaurus or any other conical type of FV?,:gulp:
Click to expand...
I use a Brewbelt to heat (although I might be a bit wary using it on a PET Fermentasaurus; PET is pretty sensitive to heat above 55-60C) and about 6-7 external coils of 3/8" PVC tube for cooling water from a shelf-cooler (that could carry warm water from a HLT in place of the Brewbelt?). Controlled by one of those Inkbird thingies. And well insulated.

As for the conical bottomed bird drinking fountain: It's a very shallow cone. I believe one of the "features" of a conical fermenter is the circulation currents that the steep sided cone generates - speeds up fermentation, self rousing, maintains even temperature, etc. But I may have this all wrong?
 
peebee said:
I use a Brewbelt to heat (although I might be a bit wary using it on a PET Fermentasaurus; PET is pretty sensitive to heat above 55-60C) and about 6-7 external coils of 3/8" PVC tube for cooling water from a shelf-cooler (that could carry warm water from a HLT in place of the Brewbelt?). Controlled by one of those Inkbird thingies. And well insulated.

As for the conical bottomed bird drinking fountain: It's a very shallow cone. I believe one of the "features" of a conical fermenter is the circulation currents that the steep sided cone generates - speeds up fermentation, self rousing, maintains even temperature, etc. But I may have this all wrong?
Click to expand...

Yup 70 degress for the cone angle is the industry standard now.
 
Dutto said:
As a matter f interest, how are you supposed to warm up or cool down a Fermentasaurus or any other conical type of FV?,:gulp:
Click to expand...

Both the fermentaurus and the fastferment have 'cooling jackets' which you can hang 2L ice bottles in to cool. I guess you could use hot water in them or put a heat pad in their or something to warm up the FV

https://www.brewuk.co.uk/fermentasaurus-35l-jacket.html
 

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