Replacing FVs - Who is cheap? Time for Stainless?

[phatboytall]

I've got about 8 plastic fermentation buckets, most are about 3/4 years old now. I've picked up a couple of infections recently, isolated to some FVs, with brews being split into 2 FVs and only one getting infected etc.

On closer inspection they are starting to look a bit scratched and stained on the inside, despite a full oxy clean and starsan every time they are used.

I've decided its probably best to throw them all out and replace them.

Who is the cheapest for plastic FVs on the internet these days?

Previously i bought these for £5 delivered! prices have gone up sadly
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chapelwood-CPW0 ... eed+bucket

Is it worth considering buying a bigger stainless pot for an FV? I usually brew 50lts a time.

[Matt12398]

I think the Chaplewood ones were cheaper when they were sold direct from Amazon because mine also had supersaver delivery. Maybe they don't stock them anymore or they're under a seperate item listing.

If you're looking at stainless, my friend, I think it's time for a conical.

[chris172]

Sorry to hijack this thread but I was just going to post a similar question to the group....I am in the same situation but want to jump straight to a conical.

Have seen a plastic one... Speidel Kellermeister 30 litre Conical Fermenter... but is this going to go the same way as the buckets or is it a bester quality of plastic. It's still quite expensive at £200 so is there anywhere else anyone can recommend... Haven't got a big budget.

[phatboytall]

Yeah i'm considering all options, happy to spend as i'm in this for the long run. Loved every minute of my first 4 years of homebrewing, cant ever see anything stopping me.....except maybe regular infections!

As I see it.....
Option a) Plastic buckets
£25l £5-10 a go, probably cheapest from Wilkinson?

Option b) Stainless Stockpot
50l stock pot £55

Option c) Conical
GET YOUR WALLET OUT!!!!! haha £200+, then the question of will it fit in your ferm fridge?

I can decide between option A again, or move to Option b, if a pot will fit in my ferm fridge.

[chris172]

Just been 'browsing' and came across this... http://www.ssbrewtech.com/products/brewbucket could be an ideal compromise of a FV bucket and conical.


Then went to their website and saw THIS... http://www.ssbrewtech.com/products/7-gallon-chronical

It seems TheMaltMiller are the UK importers so an email is winging it's way to see if they will stock this..... that must be a good price.

[Mr. Dripping]

I will be upgrading my fermenters soon..........I like the look of those brewtech ones.
I'd like to see the measurements for the brewbucket to see if it will fit in a standard fridge.
I've got a SS coil for a HERMS project that never got off the ground.....that would work well in either the bucket or the conical attached to a flash cooler and temperature controller. I think those conicals already have a thermowell built in.

[ajclarkson]

Brewbucket - 20.5" H x 12.5" W product dimensions /approx 12lbs

I keep finding myself looking at these even though there is no way I can afford one. That's the beauty of this hobby I guess!

[chris172]

Looks like Rob - TheMaltMiller is getting the 'Chronicles' in too... apparently they're on the boat now. Due September

[chris172]

As to the OP and buckets.... best go to your LHBS and see if they'll do a deal on a few at a time if you want to stick with those. Guessing the more expensive they are the better quality plastics used. Did read somewhere that some non food grade plastics do leach and are porous to o2 so might be worth while in spending a little more. There must be a reason the Spiedel ones are £33

[Mr. Dripping]

Looks like Rob - TheMaltMiller is getting the 'Chronicles' in too... apparently they're on the boat now. Due September

Time to start putting a bit of money away then. I will be having one of those when they arrive

[pads72]

Is there any reason why you couldn't put a dump valve on the bottom of the Brewtech Brewbucket? It looks like a conical, but without the tap on the underside.

[chris172]

The valve rotates half a turn and the pipe inside is bent so it's either in or out of the trub... http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0239/5 ... 1404367181

[Matt12398]

I recently bought a brew bucket but not used it yet. They are a little bit smaller than I plastic bucket I believe as they're 7 us gallons which is about 26.5 litres. I've not tried it in the fridge yet but it should fit. There is a cooling jacket for the brew bucket which I think is due to be stocked by TMM.

I liked the look of the chronicles and they should be fairly affordable if the dollar vs GBP price of the brew buckets is anything to go by.

You'd struggle to fit a valve to the bottom of the brew bucket.

[Fil]

on the small scale the bottom dump valves on conicals dont work quite as well as u would expect ( granted i have only limited experience) But on the 2 attempts i have made to dump yeast from mine with a 1.5" butterfly valve on the bottom ive opened the valve to a stuck yeast mass and agitation of the valve flap only moves the yeast lump allowing liquid out. in order to harvest yeast it looks like sealing the conical a day or 2 in advance so internal pressure builds up so the dump valve when opened gets the yeast plug pushed out might be the solution.. well thats my theory that im gonna test next anyway..

the SS buckets look like a much better home brew option, the conical base will concentrate the yeast bed in a smaller volume and if u want to harvest the yeast its not as if you cant reach in and cup some out in a sterile jar which is what the brewers with big conicals cant do so they need the dump valve.. trust me a sterile jar is a lot easier than coaxing a dumpvalve to work as u expect on the small scale..
must be p*ssed, im repeating myself

[Aleman]

My dump valve 1" ball valve works fine. Even if I leave it 5 days to harvest the yeast.