Fermzilla

[wide eyed and legless]

So you leave your hops on a bag in primary for up to a week or more waiting to drop them in? Wouldn’t you want them fresh out of the freezer?

I store my hops in jars in the freezer, the jars I give a good dose of CO 2 to prevent any oxidation. Hops suspended in the fermenter aren't going to oxidise, should only be for 3 or 4 days until the the ferment is within the last couple of points and the hops can be submerged into the wort.

 

[Grmblz]

Get a vacuum sealer, and reseal your hops, and put them back in the freezer. hops suspended in an actively fermenting environment are immersed in CO2 so no oxygenation (ok so not strictly true as gasses do mix, the common analogy of oil and water with CO2 being heavier than air pushing out the oxygen doesn't actually happen, the whole blanket of CO2 covering and protecting your brew is a bit of a furphy but that's for others to explain) and a little oxygenation does occur, but such a little over such a short time frame as to be nearly inconsequential, as compared to opening your fermenter to the elements to insert your hops.

 

[TheBeerBaron]

Everyone has a choice, we have different trains of thought I don't hold that against anyone we are all different.
Cleaning a plunger base and O ring would surely be a lot easier than taking apart the large butterfly valve.
View attachment 118087
Unscrewing the bottom fixtures are easily done, taking the top lid of is easily done too, no belt wrench required. Wouldn't say we are splitting hairs. Yes Meddos reply is excellent, there will always be differences which does not suit everyone, the difference for me is the simplicity of the use and dismantling of the FK. I am sure there are users of the FermZilla who like taking apart butterfly valves, but that does nothing for me.
You can put dry hops in the bottom of the FK unit but why bother not only with the FK but with the FermZilla, depressurise take the top off and drop them in, there isn't going to be an exodus of CO2. Then again on the FermZilla it would involve a wrestling match with the belt wrench and the body of the FermZilla.
I don't think it is a stretch of the imagination about the exploding bodies or bottles, plenty of evidence out there, and the guy who got a neck wound wasn't imagining it either.
Doesn't matter how many variables are at play, even if it is user error there is still liability on the manufacturers part.
As for the purchase of my FermZilla I got it off Bbowzky1. Two boxes siting in his brewery I just picked one up both were undamaged boxes and both unopened he didn't push one to me, it was my choice, and he's no Derren Brown.
Also when he read my post he did message me offering to take it back, but appart from me there were a few of the early ones with dents. WEAL and Farsideofcrazy did mention it could have been trapped air inside the mould on the machine but it definitely wouldn't pop out.
I am glad you haven't had any problems and you get many years out of using it

Cheers Tim

Might be my last reply, because it's getting a bit circular. Below is a shot of the G3 lower assembly. Very similar in how much effort you'd have to go to to take apart to fully clean. I don't see either being drastically better or worse than the other in this respect. FWIW I have never taken that butterfly valve apart for cleaning.. not sure I ever will unless I get an infection.

I prefer dry hop via bottom because I can fully purge and the vessel is never open to oxygen at any stage, you can't do this on the G3. I understand KK will say it doesn't matter opening to dry hop via the top but I like the option to not have to. Like I said, preference.

End of the day, if the FermZilla did not exist, I would probably would buy a G3... but it does and I prefer it's features.

 

[wide eyed and legless]

Might be my last reply, because it's getting a bit circular. Below is a shot of the G3 lower assembly. Very similar in how much effort you'd have to go to to take apart to fully clean. I don't see either being drastically better or worse than the other in this respect. FWIW I have never taken that butterfly valve apart for cleaning.. not sure I ever will unless I get an infection.

View attachment 118104

I prefer dry hop via bottom because I can fully purge and the vessel is never open to oxygen at any stage, you can't do this on the G3. I understand KK will say it doesn't matter opening to dry hop via the top but I like the option to not have to. Like I said, preference.

End of the day, if the FermZilla did not exist, I would probably would buy a G3... but it does and I prefer it's features.

Where does it say you can't dry hop from the bottom of the Fermenter King? Whats wrong with dry hopping from the top?

 

[TheBeerBaron]

Where does it say you can't dry hop from the bottom of the Fermenter King? Whats wrong with dry hopping from the top?

You can't purge the container on the G3.

The last two brews in the FZ have done had 100g+ dry hops and once I opened the valve, only half made it up into the beer. I had to attach gas to the post on the container and pull the PRV up top to bubble all the hops up into the beer. Not an issue with the size of the opening or anything, they all just swirled around and sat back down. Other brews they've all happily floated to the surface of the beer.

I am thinking the reason most people have abandoned dry hopping via the bottom bottle on the Fermentasaurus or G3 etc. is because it doesn't work.
I can imagine a big dry hop in the G3 lower ball just all getting stuck down there and you can't do anything about it short of turning the whole show upside down and shaking.

Nothing wrong with dry hopping via the top per se but if you are particularly concerned about exposure to oxygen it's not as good as the purged, lower container option.

 

[Ballaratguy]

You can't purge the container on the G3.

The last two brews in the FZ have done had 100g+ dry hops and once I opened the valve, only half made it up into the beer. I had to attach gas to the post on the container and pull the PRV up top to bubble all the hops up into the beer. Not an issue with the size of the opening or anything, they all just swirled around and sat back down. Other brews they've all happily floated to the surface of the beer.

I am thinking the reason most people have abandoned dry hopping via the bottom bottle on the Fermentasaurus or G3 etc. is because it doesn't work.
I can imagine a big dry hop in the G3 lower ball just all getting stuck down there and you can't do anything about it short of turning the whole show upside down and shaking.

Nothing wrong with dry hopping via the top per se but if you are particularly concerned about exposure to oxygen it's not as good as the purged, lower container option.

Actually you could dry hop from the bottom
Jaybird in the US make a yeast harvester/ hop brink (using a mason glass jar) that when attached to the tri clamp you could then dry hop from the bottom
I made a version of this for my Guten fermenter (pic’s it the Guten thread)

 

[Trippinonprozac]

If you’re pressure fermenting doesn’t it kinda defeat the purpose to then release the pressure and dry hop from that top?

 

[wide eyed and legless]

If you’re pressure fermenting doesn’t it kinda defeat the purpose to then release the pressure and dry hop from that top?

Usual way of dry hopping is when there are a couple of points left to go of fermentation, so you can release the pressure so to equalise with atmospheric pressure. Take off the top and drop the hops in, you aren't going to lose the co2 already in there. You can then either wait for the pressure to build up (doesn't take long) or gas up with co2 .
Also worth looking at the set up Ballaratguy made.

 

[pauly]

...just all getting stuck down there and you can't do anything about it short of turning the whole show upside down and shaking.

This happened to me with the FZ. Big clump of hop pellets expanded and formed a clump in the bottom of the container, I had to pick up the the fermenter and swish it back and forth for a good 5 mins to get them mixed in. After that I bought a second collection container that I could pre-sanitize and fill with hops, however now I dry hop from the top as it's more reliable/predictable behaviour.

 

[TheBeerBaron]

Actually you could dry hop from the bottom
Jaybird in the US make a yeast harvester/ hop brink (using a mason glass jar) that when attached to the tri clamp you could then dry hop from the bottom
I made a version of this for my Guten fermenter (pic’s it the Guten thread)

still got the issue of narrow opening back into the fermenter, no option to purge it and if they all get stuck down there, you can't do anything about it really.

like I said, 'out of the box' the FermZilla is more suited for dry hopping via the bottom

 

[CKK]

still got the issue of narrow opening back into the fermenter, no option to purge it and if they all get stuck down there, you can't do anything about it really.

like I said, 'out of the box' the FermZilla is more suited for dry hopping via the bottom

Understand that you are a staunch champion of Kegland products but I am hoping that we could have a conversation where we might be able to have a look at things a bit more objectively. Of course if you have a connection to KL other than as a customer then this will go nowhere. If not then how about we hit the reset button and have a go? I believe we are a decent home brew business that has been subjected to some rather bad press on AHB and other media for a long time. Just dial up www.kegking.cn and you have the proof of what I mean. What kind of business just registers a domain and business name in China which then links back to you know who. Anyway would love to have a chat with you if you are willing and I think I can show you that we are not what you have been told. Up for it? What is there to lose?

 

[Nullnvoid]

Understand that you are a staunch champion of Kegland products but I am hoping that we could have a conversation where we might be able to have a look at things a bit more objectively. Of course if you have a connection to KL other than as a customer then this will go nowhere. If not then how about we hit the reset button and have a go? I believe we are a decent home brew business that has been subjected to some rather bad press on AHB and other media for a long time. Just dial up www.kegking.cn and you have the proof of what I mean. What kind of business just registers a domain and business name in China which then links back to you know who. Anyway would love to have a chat with you if you are willing and I think I can show you that we are not what you have been told. Up for it? What is there to lose?

This is a thread for the Fermzilla. I think you need to take this chat elsewhere.

 

[CKK]

This is a thread for the Fermzilla. I think you need to take this chat elsewhere.

Well good man the Beer Baron did publish our gen 3 drawing here so why get your knickers in a knot about me wanting to communicate? If people have interest in our products then what is there to lose. Brewers have interest obviously as evidenced by previous posts here so lets not get too uptight.

 

[Nullnvoid]

I hg

Well good man the Beer Baron did publish our gen 3 drawing here so why get your knickers in a knot about me wanting to communicate? If people have interest in our products then what is there to lose. Brewers have interest obviously as evidenced by previous posts here so lets not get too uptight.

I have my knickers in a knot, becuase you are degrading the thread. I don't agree about the chat about your products in this thread, but that's fine, people seem to want too, I can live with that. But you chiming in with irelevant discussions about what Kegland are doing in China isn't helping or necessary in this thread. Many other threads have been opened up over the weekend to take this drivel.

I have a fermzilla, I like fermzilla, it works exactly as it is intended and I haven't had an issue. I wouldn't get the your version as I don't like it's features. I started this thread to discuss using the fermzilla.

 

[Nullnvoid]

And I realise I'm not degrading this thread and that shits me too.

 

[CKK]

And I realise I'm not degrading this thread and that shits me too.

Sorry if I have touched on some sort of nerve there but when there was discussion about our products then I felt it reasonable to join in. Maybe you don't agree with this and I am happy for you have your say and would hope you felt likewise. For the record we don't have a "version" as that implies ours is some sort of variant which it is not. Hope the twisted knickers can be straightened. Lets agree to disagree and then the thread will remain useful and not degraded. Would love the chance to have a talk with you also.

 

[awfulknauful]

still got the issue of narrow opening back into the fermenter, no option to purge it and if they all get stuck down there, you can't do anything about it really.

like I said, 'out of the box' the FermZilla is more suited for dry hopping via the bottom

Leaving the politcs out of it, I think the most important feature of the fermentasaurus is the safety, for all the years they have been in use I haven't seen any pics of any exploding ones and the new Fermenter King is even safer. I know that most of our brewing gear comes from China, but the state our economy is going to be in it would be a good idea to buy Australian made. Stay safe. I mean that from a Corona virus perspective not just from the Fermzilla.

 

[Grmblz]

This is all starting to sound a bit like Holden v Ford, both of which made lemons as well as good vehicles (sort of) the partisan nature of some commentators detracts from the intent of forums such as this which is to share knowledge and help one another, if it's a piece of crap then fine, say so (but back it up) and if it's a good product then give credit where credit is due, regardless of which team it comes from.
Constructive criticism seems to be a rare commodity of late.
@awfulknauful You make a good point re: China, it's latest stance is just a small showing of it's true colours, as anyone that has dealt with them in a political context will attest to. Unfortunately Australia has largely abandoned manufacturing which will bite it on the arse eventually, and agreed that whilst "made in Australia" is a rare beast these days it should be supported.
You don't have to be moron to close the valve on the fermies when there's still activity (don't ask, it was a seniors moment) but my saurus didn't explode (made a bloody mess though) I would think that if you're going to make the collection bottle out of a brittle material an included PRV wouldn.t be a bad idea.

 

[TheBeerBaron]

Understand that you are a staunch champion of Kegland products but I am hoping that we could have a conversation where we might be able to have a look at things a bit more objectively. Of course if you have a connection to KL other than as a customer then this will go nowhere. If not then how about we hit the reset button and have a go? I believe we are a decent home brew business that has been subjected to some rather bad press on AHB and other media for a long time. Just dial up www.kegking.cn and you have the proof of what I mean. What kind of business just registers a domain and business name in China which then links back to you know who. Anyway would love to have a chat with you if you are willing and I think I can show you that we are not what you have been told. Up for it? What is there to lose?

I think if you read my comments on this thread, I have been fair to your product in question being the G3. If If I am anti anything KK it would probably be the whole fake accounts thing..

I think I have said it before, if you your company ever makes anything I want, I'd probably buy it. Hasn't happened yet though because I have what I need for now.

As for the whole domain thing, maybe they're upset your suing them? I dunno.. wild guess.

 

[CKK]

I think if you read my comments on this thread, I have been fair to your product in question being the G3. If If I am anti anything KK it would probably be the whole fake accounts thing..

I think I have said it before, if you your company ever makes anything I want, I'd probably buy it. Hasn't happened yet though because I have what I need for now.

As for the whole domain thing, maybe they're upset your suing them? I dunno.. wild guess.

No, the name and domain registration were done in China long before that started so that is no reason. One does not take what does not belong to one. Far worse than any fake accounts I would say and don't forget the reasons why we were kept off AHB for so long. Also there are still quite a number of fake accounts some of which we have seen admin weeding out recently. Pot, kettle black comes to mind. So not much left to defend there. If a business run out of China thinks its ok to use our name to help them divert people to buy KL products then I reckon most decent Aussies would take a pretty dim view of that. Especially in the light of recent events we are getting backing from a lot of customers for at least doing all our development and some manufacturing in Australia. We do put back into the Australian community and our plans are to increase that with a new machining facility to at least make some specialised stainless steel products right here. We are proud that we can employ people in Australia who enjoy brewing and put their passion for this into what we design and make. Its paying off in spades and once this Covid thing is over we look forward to welcoming the many again who enjoy our services back to our facilities.

So why the need for this Chinese business called AMCO Technologies to pretend they are Kegking? Pretty low effort.

Anyway as I said I would love to have a conversation with you because your writing reminds me of someone in Brisbane with whom I had interchanges on another platform. I am always interested in what brewers out there might want now or in the future because that is how the next generation of equipment starts. We will have a temp control system for our fermenters this year that will handle Brisbane weather too. You never know we might make something that you need and like and maybe we can even become friends.