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4/24/2012 -- What is the difference between the standard fittings and the Tri-Clamp fittings? What can I do with the Tri-Clamps that I cannot with the standard?
Thanks,
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The Tri-Clamp fittings are basically a convenience product.
You can DO the same things with the standard (threaded) fittings, but with Tri-Clamps they simply clamp together from the outside. Quick and easy. They are the type of fittings used in commercial brewing operations. No chance of cross threading, no need for wrenches. Designed . . .
1/7/2011 -- What are the overall dimensions for each Fermenator unit?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: See this link for the overall dimensions of the Fermenators. These are the recommended dimensions to be used if you were putting the Fermenator inside a refrigerator for lagering.
http://www.blichmannengineering.com/fermentor/fermentor.html
5/17/2010 -- what is your phone number?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We can be reached at (425) 355-8865
Our toll free order is (800) 850-2739
3/2/2010 -- You have mentioned that you can use a conical fermenter as primary and then just leave it in secondary, and finally bottle from it without moving it from the fermenter. How do you add priming sugar effectively to the entire batch without stirring it up too much and adding a lot of oxygen?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It works well with wine, mead and other non-carbonated drinks.
It also works with beer when you keg it, instead of bottling.
There are also those who add the sugar to the bottles first, and then bottle the beer on top of that sugar, thus providing carbonation. It works well for that also.
11/17/2009 -- I have been looking at a lot of different home brewery kits on the internet. What is the difference in the performance between plastic and glass (carboy) fermenters?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The selection of fermenters is entirely a personal choice. Some like to make larger batches, some smaller. Usually a home brewer or winemaker ends up owning several carboys, fermenters etc in order to properly age his brew.
Plastic has the advantage of being rugged and light weight. It CAN become scratched, however, and doesn't seem to . . .
10/9/2009 -- I'm considering the 7 gallon and 14 gallon conical fermentors. How much beer would be produced from/in each fermentor?
Also if I were to use the 55 gallon Boilermaker brew pot, what would be the output of wort in gallons? would three 14 gallon fermentors be sufficient to fetrment the output from the 55 gallon boilermaker output?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: 7 gallon fermenter should yield about 5.5 gallons of beer.
14 gallon model should yield about 11.
With the 55 gal pot, you should easily obtain 35 to 40 gal of wort yielding perhaps 30 gal of finished beer.
Just estimates of course. Many variables come into play.
9/26/2009 -- Does the price that your quoting include the tri-clamp from Blichmann, or would that be an extra I would need to buy from them? Do you carry that option?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The price shown is with standard NPT fittings. Tri-clamp fittings are available for $178.50 additional. If you prefer that option, just let us know in the "Customer Comment" section at checkout and we'll make it happen!
7/17/2009 -- Is a 5 gallon carboy big enough to secondary ferment a 5 gallon batch of beer?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: As a secondary fermenter, yes. This assume that the bubbling has slowed down considerably by the time you transfer into the carboy.
I would not use it as a PRIMARY fermenter, however if you hope to yield 5 gallons.
1/6/2009 -- I would like to know if you have 14.5 Gallon Fermenator - Conical Bottom in stock?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Due to their size, we have them drop shipped from the manufacturer direct to customers. This avoids double shipping costs. Orders are processed quickly, and the Fermenators typically ship within 2 or 3 days from the manufacturer.
We don't currently have one in the store (people keeping BUYING them!) but we do get them from time to time. . . .
1/26/2008 -- I live about an hour (if traffic is good) from the address on your website. Do you have an actual store or is everything here based solely online?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we have an actual brick-and-mortar store in Everett, WA. People actually walk in and buy stuff!
Our address is:
Homebrew Heaven
9109 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98204
Here is a video of our shop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1a5fKvv8XI
Heck, you can actually call us on the phone, too! It's 425-355-8865. A person will . . .
12/10/2006 -- Hi is it possible to get this seven gallon fermenator in europe
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It is possible (depending on the country), but very expensive.
11/17/2006 -- Is there a way to install a "blow off tube" to get rid of the foam of primary fermentation, to prevent the bitterness or off flavors?
Also, what is the best method to sanitize the opening of the upper valve, just prior to bottling/kegging. Idoaphor?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, simply replace the airlock with a length of tubing. Push it thru the opening in the stopper, and put the other end into a container of water.
The inside will aleady be sanitized, so it is only the outside that may be a concern. I would just fill a spray bottle with iodophor solution (with water) and spray the outside prior to bottling. . . .
11/11/2006 -- I like to do my secondary ferment in a glass carboy, Will using the Fermenator finish off my beer as well as glass? Also, It seems that when you were to open the bottom valve to drain out sediment you would lose too much beer. Will Fermenator clean out more sediment than just being careful with a racking cane in a carboy?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, just as well, maybe better. That's why breweries use stainless.
Have never done a side by side comparison of sediment in carboy vs fermenator, but again, that is how commercial breweries do it.
8/20/2006 -- In an answer to another's question, you implied you could bottle directly from the fermentor. To do this, you'd first have to remove (virtually completely) sediment through the bottom valve; then add bottling sugar through the top hatch; and then attach a bottle-filling wand to the bottom valve -- correct? But somehow, you'd also have to . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I will assume you are talking beer, here. Wine is much easier. I may have been responding to a wine customer.
Yes, you would remove the sediment from the bottom dump valve. You would actually attach your bottle-filling want to the valve that is located up a little way on the "cone" part of the fermenter. It would be well out of the way . . .
5/25/2006 -- i too have been using the mr. beer kit and am ready to move up the ladder. my question is this, do you still use a primary and secondary fermenter with the steel fermenters?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The stainless steel conical fermenter (Fermenator) does both jobs. It acts as a primary fermenter, and then the sediment can be removed from the bottom (drained off thru a valve), allowing the secondary fermentation to take place (clarifying your beer).
4/9/2006 -- I'm considering a 7 gallon stainless steel conical fermenter, but have several questions.
1) I was given a Mr. Beer brewing kit several months ago and was surprise I could make beer that actually wasn't bad. Now I am ready to graduate to another level. Regarding the fermenter; I am assuming that since you can't see when the yeast has . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: 1) That is correct.
2) The best way is by using a peel-and-stick thermometer, called a Fermometer. We have them. They are inexpensive, and work nicely with the stainless steel Fermenators.
3) Yes, you can use the Fermenators without a problem. Personally, I would combine 2 of them for a 5 gallon batch. Maybe even 3 for a 7 gallon batch....
4) . . .
3/28/2006 -- I am actually interested in this fermentor for something other than brewing. I want to use it to grow anaerobic bacteria in my lab! In order to do that, I need to know if the fermentor is completely airtight and if there is a way to vent excess gas from it without letting outside air in.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, it is airtight and has a vent for releasing gas.
We have sold these fermenters to others for exactly the same purpose.
9/27/2005 -- What size are the bottom and side valves on the fermenator and are they larger on the larger units?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: All valves are 1/2 NPT, regardless of fermenator capacity.
9/1/2005 -- When bottling from the fermentor do you just attach a siphon hose to one of those spigots on the bottom of the fermentor?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, you can do that. For convenience, it might make sense to attach a bottle filler to the outlet hose. The bottle filler will start/stop the flow as you go from bottle to bottle.
6/16/2005 -- I have a few questions.
1. What's the best way to clean the pot on the Extractor Pro-Series II? I can't figure out a way to get to the top and top-ended sides.
2. Regarding the concial fermentor - how do you regulate the temperature? I have a hot plate for the carboy but that wouldn't work on the fermentor.
3. You said the fermentor . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: 1. Probably just fill it with hot water, and some Super Grunge Remover. Cover the opening and shake. Let it sit overnight, and I'll be it's pretty darn clean then. Rinse before using, of course.
2. It will settle in very close to room temperature. If you need more heat, you will have to heat the room or build an enclosure.
3. Yes, it . . .
5/16/2005 -- i am new to this, and i have seen and heard of people using plastic buckets for final fermentation, their purpose for doing this is so they can attach a spigot to the bucket for bottling, is this ok to do or is glass the better choice? thanx again and i find that you question and answer part of the site to be very helpful
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, that can be done, but we prefer to use the plastic "bucket" type fermenter for the primary fermenter, and using glass for the secondary. We like the bucket for ease of cleaning, and besides, your beer is only in there for a few days to a week or so. We find glass to be better for clarifing your beer, however. This is not to say you CAN'T . . .
5/12/2005 -- I'm undecided on which size ferenator is best suited for my needs. I wish to brew both 6 gallon and 12 gallon batches. Can i do the smaller batches in the 12 gallon model ?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, you certainly can.
3/28/2005 -- Thanks for you quick reply on my Iodophor question. Although I am not yet a customer, your immediate assistance has guaranteed that I will be making my next materials purchase with you. I've been brewing about 10 years, but only about 4-5 batches per year, so I still consider myself fairly green. I purchased a pony keg about 3 years ago . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Pouring boiling hot liquid into a glass carboy is an invitation for disaster. I wouldn't do it.
The counterflow wort chiller cools, but it doesn't siphon. in fact you need to have a good siphon going (or a pump) to get it thru the counterflow chiller. Personally, I like the immersion type chiller. Once it is cool, it can be siphoned safely . . .
3/13/2005 -- I'm just getting started brewing and I had a question. As a primary fermenter which is better, plastic bucket, plastic carboy or glass carboy. Then for secondary fermentation, plastic carboy or glass carboy?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You will find that brewers have different preferences. Personally, I like the plastic bucket for a primary. It's inexpensive, and easy to clean. For the secondary, I like glass carboys. Glass seems to cause the beer/wine to clear better. If I had a lot of money, I'd probably get a stainless steel Fermenator.
12/23/2004 -- What is the outside measurments of the fermentor. Height, total width?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The 7 Gallon Fermenator is 15" in diameter, and 26" high without the optional leg extensions. With the leg extensions, it is 46" high.
11/26/2004 -- I am new to this. Do you need any additional equipment besides the conical fermentor? I have seen two-stage kits that come with a ton of stuff (i.e. fermentation lock, etc.)
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The Fermenator comes with a fermentation lock, of couse, but the beauty of it is that the whole process can be done in the same vessel. Dead yeast and crud like that can be drained off the bottom, leaving good, clear wine or beer above. There are optional extension legs, but they are not really necessary if you have a benchtop or similar to . . .
9/1/2004 -- Can this fermenter be used for wine or just beer?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It works just for both beer and wine!
6/1/2004 -- What is the advantage to a conical fermenter? Does it just let you pour off the sediment so you don't need to move it to a second container?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, the sediment collects in the cone, and can be expelled thru a valve on the bottom. Your beer doesn't sit on dead yeast, and won't get "off" flavors with long fermentation times.
5/13/2004 -- Most recipes I use are for 5 gallon runs. Would I have to increase these to 6.8 gallons to use this fermenter? Also how do you rack this to a carboy without getting all the sediment in there also?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No, the additional volume provides a little extra headspace for foaming during the active part of the fermentation. No need to scale up.
For racking, there is an arm down near the bottom for that purpose. It is above the bottom "dump" valve, in the cone portion of the fermentor. Very handy.
12/19/2003 -- I am having trouble keeping the temp in the room I am making wine between 70 and 75 degrees as specified in the wine kit I have. I live in Colorado and often the temp at night dips way down, and in the day it can get quite warm. I am not around at all times to adjust the thermastat. Could I solve this problem by wrapping the carboy with . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Sure. We have a Brew Heat Pad that works very nicely. It's basically a hard plastic heating pad for carboys. If it's too warm during the day, just get a cheap lamp timer, and have it turn on only at night.
Here is a link:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&ProductID=1129
12/16/2003 -- What you mean by 21" wide? is that the diameter? if so, the numbers don't agree, you'd end up with much more than 12.2 gallons. How do you estimate the 12.2 gallons then?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: 21" is the total width, including outside leg attachements. The actual ID of the fermenator is about 17" at the top. From the top, you have a straight side for about 10 inches, and then it goes into the cone. 12.2 gallons is the measured volume for the 12 gallon model.
10/23/2003 -- I noticed most of the malt extract brew kits are 5 gallon batches. Will a 5 gallon carboy be sufficient for fermentation, or will I need a 6 gallon carboy to allow for foaming? Thanks, I'm new to this.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We recommend going larger for the primary. That's why we put 6.5 gallon plastic fermenters in our equipment kits. You can use a larger carboy of course, but the 6.5 gallon "bucket" type fermenter allows for the foaming, doesn't break, cleans up easier, and is less weight for shipping. Hey...we were all new to this at one time. No shame in . . .
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