Brewtech SS fermenting vessels discussion thread

[zwitter]

Hi
Yes they have thread not Tri-clover or sanitary fittings.

I know ball valves have been discussed as having "dead" zones in them qand wondering if anyone has tried any butterfly style valves from the China suppliers?
This is mentioned on the SS brewtech site.

Zwitter


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[Florian]

I know ball valves have been discussed as having "dead" zones in them qand wondering if anyone has tried any butterfly style valves from the China suppliers?

These links show most of the gear that I have added, see also comments below those posts for clarification.

http://aussiehomebrewer.com/topic/81167-brewtech-ss-fermenting-vessels-discussion-thread/page-11#entry1217901

http://aussiehomebrewer.com/topic/81167-brewtech-ss-fermenting-vessels-discussion-thread/page-12#entry1218487

http://aussiehomebrewer.com/topic/81167-brewtech-ss-fermenting-vessels-discussion-thread/page-18#entry1242678

EDIT: all from ebay and aliexpress.

 

[booargy]

Hi
Yes they have thread not Tri-clover or sanitary fittings.

I know ball valves have been discussed as having "dead" zones in them qand wondering if anyone has tried any butterfly style valves from the China suppliers?
This is mentioned on the SS brewtech site.

Zwitter


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I got some from brewershardware got a 2" from another and the quality is similar the cheaper one did come with silicon seat though.
One on the left is the eBay type. I still buy the brewershardware so all my 1"1/2 are the same valve.

 

[Spiesy]

I reckon he means the ball valve only has triclover on one side, the other side is threaded.

Got you. The other side is beer out. Not so much an issue.

 

[Parks]

It defeats the point of sanitary though if you have threads to deal with.

 

[zwitter]

Dam you Booargy!
brewershardware just had me for $300 plus shipping.....
Lots more shiney on its way...
I think that may be a new place to spend my hard earned. You should be on commission. Thanks


I dabble in the art of TIG welding and tempted to put a second sanitary fitting in the lid. but it is so thin. might have to do lots more practice first.

james

 

[Camo6]

In regards to the leaking tap O ring issues I've had, I think I've found a solution. I bought a whole heap of silicone O rings somewhat thicker than the original 16mm ID x 1.8mm CSand of a softer composite. They're a tad too thick to replace the inside O ring without bulging but they squeeze up nice and tight in lieu of the outer O ring. I filled the bucket with water and tested and was able to rotate the tap freely in both directions multiple times without leaks.

I then really put it to the test last weekend by fermenting 19l of a wheat beer with 3068. Pushing the limits, I know, but figured a blow off tube should cover it...
Came home to find the blow off had stuck and yeast had spewed past the lid seal and filled the fridge with the smell of banana and cloves! But the tap seals held true!

I ordered another set of O rings in a size that fall between the two to see if they'll be a suitable replacement for the inner one but they may not be necessary now.

 

[TOF]

Recently got a Brew Bucket and wasn't happy with the way the ball valve assembly sealed, "o" rings don't
seal properly on chamfered faces and a curved surface, too many are having leak problems so I rolled up at
the Tool Room where I worked before I retired.
We have all seen the nuts that are used on weld less fittings have a recess machined on one face of the nut, took me 5 minutes to set up and fix the nuts supplied with the B.B., now a totally proper feel when you
tighten the nut and only with your fingers and the "o" ring don't try to slip out from under the nut,
hope this helps, Cheers, Ken.

 

[Dan Pratt]

Recently added a Thermowell to the Brewbucket, its having its maiden run currently after brewing a red ale yesterday.

 

[breakbeer]

That's next on my list of things to do. Where'd you get that one from?

 

[Dan Pratt]

Online through keg king. $35

 

[blotto]

I stuck mine through the lid, I like the fact I can buy a new lid if I want and I'm back to stock. Also no chance of leaks. http://www.brewmart.com.au/brewmart-shop/catalogue/?detail&ItemID=3480&SZIDX=0&CCODE=18766&QOH=46&CATID=311&CLN=1

 

[Boozed]

Aliexpress.Also got a sanitary sample valve in the mail yesterday. Easy to pull apart for cleaning and great for sampling and transferring to keg.

IMG_20140904_124954.jpgAlso picked up my new fridge. Not quite sure yet what to do about the 'decorations', but so far I've cleaned off those JB stickers from the door and gave the inside floor a good spray paint to hide the rust.Turned it on to day and noticed that it is bloody loud! No way that fridge could live inside the house. Also can't find a way to turn the light off. Do these things usually come with an on/off switch? You would think in a shop setup you would be able to turn the lights off at night?

IMG_20140904_122159.jpg

Hey Florian, does the racking elbow fit into the sanitary valve? That looks like a much better option than pulling apart ball valves!

 

[zwitter]

Hey boozed
Check the SS Brewtech USA website for "sanitary racking adaptor" i just received mine through newera and it will get a run when my current belgian dubbel is done in the chronical7. Basically it is a lump of stainless with sanitary fittings both sides and a centre sized to take the racking arm. I was thinking of making a similar item when I saw this on USA site and ordered one.

Will let you know how it goes.

I love the chronical, so easy to clean. I have never used the ball valves. I bought butterfly valves from USA and stacks of other sanitary fittings from USA and China on ebay. It sits in a glass door fridge controlled by home made brewpi for perfect temperature control of fermentation. Next thing is to use a window on the sanitary connection on the lid with a T piece and have a camera so can see the yeast doing its thing...

James


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[Boozed]

Thanks zwitter, I will do just that. Sounds like you have one pimped out system! Look forward to the photos.

 

[mikeybycrikey]

Just did the same to mine TOF. Just machined a slightly bigger groove. Hope it works cos that slow dribble is mighty frustrating. Small leaks aside I'm really happy with my purchase of two brew buckets. Also ordered 50 replacement orings for $9.something shipped http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Silicone-o-rings-Size-016-Price-for-50-pcs-/160961414852?hash=item257a0c46c4 (or thicker ones for $14ish http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Silicone-o-rings-Size-114-Price-50-pcs-/200883500310?hash=item2ec596f516)

 

[blekk]

Well, yes this is the theory espoused by traditional Newronian Physics. And a theory I whole heartlessly endorse, whether transferring under pressure or by gravity.

I think I'm gonna send an email to Brewtech about it. Dunno if I've got a dud or it's a problem they know about or it's only me. I reckon a vessel should be able to easily handle it's rated pressure, and be capable of handling at least three times that before it fails in a safe manner, and probably ten times the rated pressure before it fails catastrophically.

FB did you get a reply from Brewtech? Mine started leaking at exactly 4.2psi when attempting to ferment under light pressure. I could only put it down to the latches deforming or stretching and not providing equal tension around the lid.

 

[Fat Bastard]

No, still haven't sent it! I've been slowly bending the wire latches in and seeing how it goes. I'd be happy if mine held 4.2 though, last transfer I did under pressure it leaks at 2psi! It was still enough to get it flowing and complete the transfer.

 

[blekk]

Perhaps a drum locking ring would work better than a latch system...... hmmm I wonder.....

 

[zwitter]

A couple of photos of the chronical7 in the brewpi fermenter
Belgium Dubbel due to keg on Saturday
James


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[Dan Pratt]

A couple of photos of the chronical7 in the brewpi fermenter
Belgium Dubbel due to keg on Saturday
James

Hi James,

What is the tolerance setting you use for the BrewPi ?

I set my STC at +/- 0.3c using a thermowell for interanal temps.

Also, does that brewpi log the data for you ?

 

[GalBrew]

Hey boozed
Check the SS Brewtech USA website for "sanitary racking adaptor" i just received mine through newera and it will get a run when my current belgian dubbel is done in the chronical7. Basically it is a lump of stainless with sanitary fittings both sides and a centre sized to take the racking arm. I was thinking of making a similar item when I saw this on USA site and ordered one.
I bought butterfly valves from USA and stacks of other sanitary fittings from USA and China on ebay.

Apparently Brewtech are going to have their own butterfly valves soon according to the US website.

 

[zwitter]

Hi Pratty
The brewpi does log the lot. Up to 3 temps and when door is opened and closed when the heater or cooler is turned on and off etc. you can set the hysteresis but i used the default and the temp probe in thermowell in middle of conical says the temp only varies by 0.13 of a degree. Way better than it needs to be. Plus can set a temp profile and it will change and follow what ever you set. Amazing. Really looking forward to being able to ferment year round at the best temp for the yeast and have it 100% repeatable.

I am no linix expert but there is more that can be done with brewpi and I am slowly learning. I want to be able to save the log files and to be able to edit the web page. Both are possible and i am learning from my mistakes. There is oodles of info on the web.

As far as SŚBrewtechs own butterfly valves they said they would have them soon some time last year. I gave up waiting and was happy with what I got. Easy to strip down and clean. Parts available. Choice of seal material. For other bits i got from China i was happy with price but the items have little dents all over. For the sake of plastic caps they could have been perfect.


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[Boozed]

Hi James,

What is the tolerance setting you use for the BrewPi ?

I set my STC at +/- 0.3c using a thermowell for interanal temps.

Also, does that brewpi log the data for you ?

"... InterANAL TEMPS..." Thought I was on the wrong forum for a moment there lol

 

[Weizguy]

"... InterANAL TEMPS..." Thought I was on the wrong forum for a moment there lol

depends if that word specific search brought you here....

 

[vortex]

Has anyone got a Chronical 17 gallon handy, and able to measure it up for me? I'm specifically looking for the outside diameter of the main fermenter body itself, I'm looking to design some Peltier blocks in solidworks and have them CNC machined. I ordered a 17g but I don't have it on hand yet and would like to get something moving. Seriously considering peltiers for cooling as I have a couple of fridges but due to the compressor hump the 17g won't fit without modifying the legs, and I don't fancy hunting for (or paying for) an all-fridge.

Has anyone heard when the lids with the 3" TC will be available? I'm very keen to get a CIP spray ball up and running; a 3" ferrule is available from brewers hardware but heard the lid is not very thick and would be a pain to weld.

Also, what is the weldless thermowell like in these? I hate weldless fittings and would have preferred a 1/2" TC - so it's kind of making me a bit nervous. I guess the ball valves are a bigger concern though, they definitely won't stay on mine very long.

 

[vortex]

Contacted their Support and they were most helpful:

Hi James,
400 mm is the ID of the body ... the wall thickness is 1.1-1.2 mm nominal.
Cheers
Chad
Ssupport

 

[bingggo]

I got the 14 gallon fermenter and disassembled the ball valves for clearing. The white seats in the 3/4" valve both have a chunk missing on their internal face. I'll ask the shop about replacement seats.

On both valves, the seats don't go back in flush despite my fingers of steel (less than a millimetre off flush). I'm not familiar with ball valves - do you just reassemble them slightly off flush and tightening the bolts pops them back in?

Cheers.

 

[zwitter]

I have the 7 gal Chonical.

Never used the ball valves. I ordered fittings from ebay out of china and they are ok.
Bought butterfly valves from USA about 50$ a piece. Rebuildable!
Got a glass flow tube and a glass end stop. All sanitary fittings.
I do prefer the sanitary fittings.
I got the sanitary fitting that takes the racking arm by SS brewtech.

I love the ease of use and cleaning.

It has the weld-less thermo well and it is ok. Has silicone seals and as long ascareful to clean it is good. I would have liked a sanitary fitting but not available.

The wall is very thin and welding would be a pain for anyone other than an expert or a computer welder.

Am thinking would like another but would make some changes. Really the lid should be held on like a huge sanitary fitting like a huge clamp around the outside.
Probably thicker walls. More sanitary fittings. Sturdier legs.

I do use pressure to purge the beer into kegs but keep pressure down as the lid will just flex if you push it.
James


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[O-beer-wan-kenobi]

Just received my 14gal chronically and some tsp to clean with. I don't have any instructions for the tsp, what ratio to water do you guys use for cleaning the stainless?