conical bottem fermenters

dragonlord · Feb 15, 2004

I would like to know the advantages or disadvantages of using a conical bottom primary / secondary fermenter.
Also thank you for the great web site and forum I intend on picking alot of your brians if you dont mind.
from michigan
chris ;D

ThistyViking · Feb 15, 2004

I can only speak in theory as I haven't had the pleasure of a conical myself.

Removing lees... After lees settle to the bottom a valve is opened to allow the lees to be removed with out transfering the entire batch. When the outflow clears, you close the valve.

Connical bottom would concentrate more of the yeast in the center, making more of the fermentation in the center, creating in essence an up draft in the center of the tank... possibly this would increase agitation and better stir the must, as opposed to a diffuse bubbling.

Cleaning, All the water will run down and out the center whole because it is the lowest point. Compare this to a jar used for sun brewed tea with a spout on the side... water level drops below spout, you have to tip the 1 gallon Jar to get rest out... Now imagine a 500 gallon jar of Stainless Steel.

They used to have a plastic Connical in Homebrew size, But i never got my hands on one.

ThistyViking · Feb 15, 2004

Found some interesting links to conicals, will post in the equipment section

dragonlord · Feb 17, 2004

thanks for the info it makes sense.
I found one at a homebrew supplie in livonia michigan called the wine barrel its located on plymouth road and I think they have a web sight
thank you again
chris

jkcapello · Oct 21, 2004

Hey Folks, I bought an 8 gal conical minibrew from Alternative Beverage, 114-E Freeland Lane, Charlotte, NC 28217, (704) 527-7003, for 151.20 + 20.00 s&h. I've got a batch going in it right now. When I did my first rack, I just slowly opened the valve, drained it into a glass measuring cup. It only took about 2 cups to get clear must. It's great compared to my old racking cane and multiple fermenters. But here's the only drawback, replace ALL of the cheap plastic nipples with either stainless or good solid PVC. The 8 gal stands about 4 ft high and about 14" in diameter. So far so good. I'll keep everyone posted on how well it works.
Regards,
John

ScottS · Oct 21, 2004

Something I learned the hard way - when you order a conical, make sure that it has a steeply sloped bottom. I have to gently pound on the sides of my conicals with a rubber mallet to get the trub to fall down.

Annoying, and not what I had in mind when I bought them.

WikdWaze · Oct 22, 2004

ScottS said:
Something I learned the hard way - when you order a conical, make sure that it has a steeply sloped bottom. I have to gently pound on the sides of my conicals with a rubber mallet to get the trub to fall down. Annoying, and not what I had in mind when I bought them.

Did you get one with the "standard" 60 degree bottom, or is yours shallower than that?

ScottS · Oct 22, 2004

Much shallower.

http://www.stpats.com/Fermenters.htm#vcConical

Hit the link and scroll up just a bit. That picture doesn't give you a very good idea of the conical slope. I assumed that 60 degree slope was standard, I was wrong.

WikdWaze · Oct 22, 2004

Dang, I guess there's a cone on the bottom of that ??? I plan to go with a conical hopper from Toledo Metal Spinning when I get ready to upgrade. It's cheaper than a ready-made fermenter and I know it's 60 degrees. Is there any way to modify yours to add a cone?

ScottS · Oct 24, 2004

I suppose the bottom could be taken out and rewelded with a new cone. But I'm going to try to work with it as is for now.

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