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Kegmenters
Sept 30, 2019 18:51:03 GMT 10, Post #58962
Post by scooterism on Sept 30, 2019 18:51:03 GMT 10
Given the introduction of the Fermzilla to market, has this made the humble kegmenter obsolete?
I'm still on the lookout for a ~27L stainless conical pressure fermenter, just not sure finding one is going to happen any time soon, so maybe a kegmenter might tie me over..
Thoughts??
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Joined: Feb 1, 2018 23:00:39 GMT 10
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Post by SponsorSFC on Sept 30, 2019 18:59:54 GMT 10
Nope definitely not obsolete. Just one point you can't no chill in a FermZilla. Aso the kegmenter will last a lifetime the body of the FermZilla is a consumable part. I have a 27L FermZilla and a 57L kegmenter and am happy with both purchases. Just make sure your fermenting fridge will fit the kegmenter diameter. Someone I know very well got burnt by that  |
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Kegmenters
Sept 30, 2019 19:15:14 GMT 10, Post #58965
Post by scooterism on Sept 30, 2019 19:15:14 GMT 10
Do you harvest yeast? Just do it the old fashioned way?
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Post by SponsorSFC on Sept 30, 2019 19:20:59 GMT 10
I have been overbuilding starters.
I haven't done it yet but plan on harvesting the yeast from the next couple of batches from the FermZilla.
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Joined: Dec 27, 2017 9:18:45 GMT 10
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Post by MTB on Sept 30, 2019 19:48:43 GMT 10
I'm all kegmenters, got 2 x 58L and 4 x 26L. Moved from Fermentasaurus.
Fermzillas can't currently handle super hot temps, as SponsorSFC noted - which means no no-chill and also cleaning with hot water from the immersion chiller is not possible, overall cleaning is more difficult (takes a matter of minutes with my kegmenter, hot water and sodium perc)
Harvesting yeast is generally more difficult in a kegmenter, since there's no handy collection bottle, but after I keg I just swish around and pour into a collection bottle via sanitised funnel. Never been enough of a problem to irritate me.
Fermzillas have a larger footprint. My favourite fermentation fridge can fit 1 x 58L kegmenter and 2 x 26L kegmenters. It can, alternatively, fit just a single Fermzilla
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Joined: Jan 2, 2018 21:04:37 GMT 10
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Post by Jack-of-all-biers on Sept 30, 2019 20:47:13 GMT 10
It is for the reasons MTB mentioned I chose a 58L kegmenter over the fermentasaurus/Fermzilla. |
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seehuusen
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Post by seehuusen on Oct 1, 2019 6:38:05 GMT 10
My fermenters are starting to need replacement and I'm keen to move to a kegmenter, would someone kindly post up some pics and a bit about what is required to build such a contraption? Thanks
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outback
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Kegmenters
Oct 1, 2019 6:56:14 GMT 10, Post #58985
Post by outback on Oct 1, 2019 6:56:14 GMT 10
Whilst the thought of seeing fermentation in action is appealing, the fact that fermosaurii can't handle hot temps, and they are consumable means I am busting to go shiny stainless. I'd love a conical, but cost added to the fact I use multiple small fridges to ferment in means it's not practical for me. So, for me, my next big brewhouse purchase will be kegmenters.
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Kegmenters
Oct 1, 2019 10:50:30 GMT 10, Post #58995
Post by laxation on Oct 1, 2019 10:50:30 GMT 10
I'm all kegmenters, got 2 x 58L and 4 x 26L. Moved from Fermentasaurus. Fermzillas can't currently handle super hot temps, as SponsorSFC noted - which means no no-chill and also cleaning with hot water from the immersion chiller is not possible, overall cleaning is more difficult (takes a matter of minutes with my kegmenter, hot water and sodium perc) Harvesting yeast is generally more difficult in a kegmenter, since there's no handy collection bottle, but after I keg I just swish around and pour into a collection bottle via sanitised funnel. Never been enough of a problem to irritate me. Fermzillas have a larger footprint. My favourite fermentation fridge can fit 1 x 58L kegmenter and 2 x 26L kegmenters. It can, alternatively, fit just a single Fermzilla What do you mean by nochill with the kegmenter? do you just go straight from the kettle into it and lock it up until it cools? Also how do you clean it so quickly? Fkn PITA for me to get the floating dip tube clean/sterile (or do you not use one, in which case what do you do?) |
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Joined: Dec 27, 2017 9:18:45 GMT 10
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Post by MTB on Oct 1, 2019 10:57:15 GMT 10
I'm all kegmenters, got 2 x 58L and 4 x 26L. Moved from Fermentasaurus. Fermzillas can't currently handle super hot temps, as SponsorSFC noted - which means no no-chill and also cleaning with hot water from the immersion chiller is not possible, overall cleaning is more difficult (takes a matter of minutes with my kegmenter, hot water and sodium perc) Harvesting yeast is generally more difficult in a kegmenter, since there's no handy collection bottle, but after I keg I just swish around and pour into a collection bottle via sanitised funnel. Never been enough of a problem to irritate me. Fermzillas have a larger footprint. My favourite fermentation fridge can fit 1 x 58L kegmenter and 2 x 26L kegmenters. It can, alternatively, fit just a single Fermzilla What do you mean by nochill with the kegmenter? do you just go straight from the kettle into it and lock it up until it cools? Also how do you clean it so quickly? Fkn PITA for me to get the floating dip tube clean/sterile (or do you not use one, in which case what do you do?) Yep, in theory no-chill can be done this way, directly into the kegmenter at boiling temp. I don't often do it myself but I have done it. I use the floating diptubes; if I'm pitching directly onto a just-kegged yeast cake (which I often do) I won't clean the diptube at all. It's a slight infection risk as I'm carrying any nasties over from my previous fermentation but so far I've not encountered an infection so the risk is acceptably low. If I do need to clean them, I take them off and submerge in some of the hot immersion chiller water with sodium perc. 20min of that and gunk cleans right off, then a quick sanitiser run through the beer out disconnect plus a sanitiser shake with it installed back on the kegmenter gets everything nice and sanitary |
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Kegmenters
Oct 1, 2019 10:58:42 GMT 10, Post #58999
Post by SponsorSFC on Oct 1, 2019 10:58:42 GMT 10
I pump straight from the BrewZilla using a long piece of silicon hose into the kegmenter which is in the fermenting fridge .
Seal it up with the pressure lid and let it cool.
Cleaning I rinse then quarter fill with diluted sodium perc and leave it soak, I turn the keg upside down every now and again.
By the next weekend all it needs is a quick rinse out and then I add some Starsan seal, shake and leave it ready to use it again.
I usually run some of the perc then starsan though the dip tube line as well.
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sp0rk
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Kegmenters
Oct 1, 2019 11:36:25 GMT 10, Post #59000
Post by sp0rk on Oct 1, 2019 11:36:25 GMT 10
Is anyone running an upside down kegmenter so they can use the neck of the keg (now on the bottom) as a dump valve?
I've got a spare 50L keg that I'm going to convert to a kegmenter but I just can't decide whether to cut a hole in the top of a corny lid, or whether to flip it and buy some TC fittings/butterfly valve etc, to make a dump valve and then cut what used to be the bottom to add the corny lid
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Kegmenters
Oct 1, 2019 11:52:52 GMT 10, Post #59001
Post by earle on Oct 1, 2019 11:52:52 GMT 10
Is anyone running an upside down kegmenter so they can use the neck of the keg (now on the bottom) as a dump valve? I've got a spare 50L keg that I'm going to convert to a kegmenter but I just can't decide whether to cut a hole in the top of a corny lid, or whether to flip it and buy some TC fittings/butterfly valve etc, to make a dump valve and then cut what used to be the bottom to add the corny lid From this post aussiecraftbrewing.com.au/post/28474/thread it looks like abyss might be |
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rude
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Kegmenters
Oct 1, 2019 12:09:39 GMT 10, Post #59002
Post by rude on Oct 1, 2019 12:09:39 GMT 10
Once I brewed with my kegmenter that was it gave my standard fermenters to the father in law
Its a 50L one which I N/C in a cube so 23 L into kegmenter which fills a keg with a couple of litres over
No floating dip tube for me as I have cut my dip tube in the kegmenter at the perfect height ( jagged it )
First keg is clear as second one with a couple of litres in it has a bit of trub
For me though the unitank would be the ducks nuts, but my beers are passable, so for now its the kegmenter
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Kegmenters
Oct 1, 2019 13:20:05 GMT 10, Post #59010
Post by DCB on Oct 1, 2019 13:20:05 GMT 10
I'd also vote the 50lt kegmenter over the others. Basically it will last forever. Its more beer for smaller space. I heat sterilize mine between every use. Clean it well, then add 5lt sanitizer, seal it and onto the burner. Have the pressure release valve open until its steaming then close the valve, click on a spunding valve to get to 15 psi. That's around 125 degrees Celsius inside. Turn off, remove spunding valve and leave it sealed like that (pre sterilized) until I want to use it. Note, after its cooled its holding a vacuum but that's no problem.
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Post by davidm on Oct 1, 2019 13:44:56 GMT 10
I love my kegmenter. Not used the plastic ones, but they have their pros and cons as noted above. For me the main trade off is volume. Can easily ferment a double batch in the kegmenter, and for the price of two plastic fermzillas you might as well by the one unit, which is stainless.
I generally no chill into it, which is something I did after I bought the thing, but find it very convenient. I also no-chill into cubes, and then pour these in cold as needed, which also works fine.
Cleaning is a breeze, lots of perc and fill with hot water. Run some out the dip tubes and PRV, leave to soak until needed. It usually requires just a rinse, but occasionally the krausen ring needs a gentle wipe or shot with the hose.
I've gone away from the floating dip tube. I didn't like the idea of it being santiary as is, so I pulled apart each time for a clean. This then chowdered it up over time, so I had to snip the ends. So basically treat the hose as a consumable.
Otherwise, I've found the fixed dip tube is actually really good once you know how to work around its limitations, i.e. no loose dry hopping. I use the stainless tubes either in the keg or sometimes in the kegmenter. I snipped about 20mm off mine and have no issues with transfers. Maybe a little yeast to begin with but seems to work for both single and double batches.
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Kegmenters
Oct 1, 2019 19:53:03 GMT 10, Post #59037
Post by scooterism on Oct 1, 2019 19:53:03 GMT 10
Oh well, looks like Santa know what he's going to get me this year..
So what do I do with my 30L SS olive oil drum post Xmas?
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fasdf
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Oct 1, 2019 22:29:24 GMT 10, Post #59049
Post by fasdf on Oct 1, 2019 22:29:24 GMT 10
Is anyone running an upside down kegmenter so they can use the neck of the keg (now on the bottom) as a dump valve? I've got a spare 50L keg that I'm going to convert to a kegmenter but I just can't decide whether to cut a hole in the top of a corny lid, or whether to flip it and buy some TC fittings/butterfly valve etc, to make a dump valve and then cut what used to be the bottom to add the corny lid I'm also interested in doing this, at least I looked into it a few years ago. The things that stopped me were a) expense of TC parts and b) the ability to do a precise cut in the keg base to seat a corny keg lid. TC fittings are much cheaper these days, but in the end I found a 2nd hand chronical with TC extensions plus a fridge it would fit in for $500. Would still be interested for a second fermenter if it was doable without too much expense or stuffing around. |
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rude
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Kegmenters
Oct 2, 2019 19:09:41 GMT 10, Post #59084
Post by rude on Oct 2, 2019 19:09:41 GMT 10
Oh well, looks like Santa know what he's going to get me this year.. So what do I do with my 30L SS olive oil drum post Xmas? Keep it and bring up the volume which could mean more fridges taps kegs  |
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Joined: Dec 28, 2017 10:28:54 GMT 10
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Kegmenters
Oct 2, 2019 19:17:57 GMT 10, Post #59086
Post by earle on Oct 2, 2019 19:17:57 GMT 10
Is anyone running an upside down kegmenter so they can use the neck of the keg (now on the bottom) as a dump valve? I've got a spare 50L keg that I'm going to convert to a kegmenter but I just can't decide whether to cut a hole in the top of a corny lid, or whether to flip it and buy some TC fittings/butterfly valve etc, to make a dump valve and then cut what used to be the bottom to add the corny lid I'm also interested in doing this, at least I looked into it a few years ago. The things that stopped me were a) expense of TC parts and b) the ability to do a precise cut in the keg base to seat a corny keg lid. TC fittings are much cheaper these days, but in the end I found a 2nd hand chronical with TC extensions plus a fridge it would fit in for $500. Would still be interested for a second fermenter if it was doable without too much expense or stuffing around. Check the thread I linked above aussiecraftbrewing.com.au/thread/1345/fitting-corny-lid-50l-keg?page=1&scrollTo=28474It wasn't too hard. The main thing would be too err on the side of too small and then enlarge the hole with a good file if need be |
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fasdf
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Kegmenters
Oct 2, 2019 23:32:01 GMT 10, Post #59097
Post by fasdf on Oct 2, 2019 23:32:01 GMT 10
I'm also interested in doing this, at least I looked into it a few years ago. The things that stopped me were a) expense of TC parts and b) the ability to do a precise cut in the keg base to seat a corny keg lid. TC fittings are much cheaper these days, but in the end I found a 2nd hand chronical with TC extensions plus a fridge it would fit in for $500. Would still be interested for a second fermenter if it was doable without too much expense or stuffing around. Check the thread I linked above aussiecraftbrewing.com.au/thread/1345/fitting-corny-lid-50l-keg?page=1&scrollTo=28474It wasn't too hard. The main thing would be too err on the side of too small and then enlarge the hole with a good file if need be Thanks, that's a great guide and I remember reading when you posted it. How has it fared over time? Any leaks or issues to offer? I don't have a dremel at the moment, and still remember the joys of making kegs into mash tuns with cheapo angle grinders and bastard files... so until I get the right tools and some free time it's not something I'm equipped to do... unless there happens to be a north Brisbane plasma cutter service available?  |
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Kegmenters
Oct 3, 2019 8:57:22 GMT 10, Post #59106
Post by earle on Oct 3, 2019 8:57:22 GMT 10
Thanks, that's a great guide and I remember reading when you posted it. How has it fared over time? Any leaks or issues to offer? I don't have a dremel at the moment, and still remember the joys of making kegs into mash tuns with cheapo angle grinders and bastard files... so until I get the right tools and some free time it's not something I'm equipped to do... unless there happens to be a north Brisbane plasma cutter service available? It seems to have held up fine. I have 2 like this which I use for aging sour beers - a lambic and a flanders red so most of the time it has a mostly open spunding valve attached but when I pressurise it for bottling some with a bottling gun it seems fine. Fair point about not having the tools though. My rotary tool is just a cheapy from Aldi but I did use dremel discs for the cutting, and also bought a good quality file so I didn't get pissed off using a shit file. Maybe someone in your area has the gear and would do it for some beers.  |
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capsicum
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Oct 3, 2019 12:23:35 GMT 10, Post #59126
DCB likes this
Post by capsicum on Oct 3, 2019 12:23:35 GMT 10
Love my two 23L cony kegmenters. I was tossing up between one big girl or the two, and chose two 23L for versatility.
In my fridge I can fit the two 23L fermenting kegs on a plywood shelf, and two kegs which act as blowoff vessels and get purged for transfer below.
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maheel
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Oct 3, 2019 12:39:11 GMT 10, Post #59129
Post by maheel on Oct 3, 2019 12:39:11 GMT 10
Love my two 23L cony kegmenters. I was tossing up between one big girl or the two, and chose two 23L for versatility. I have the same 2 x 23L older mytton kegs (and a 50 i can use to PF) easy cheap and will last a long long time
i cut the dips a little so no hop block or yeast cake. a tiny bit dose come through to keg when pressure tranfering
Jar on the floor and pour in from keg to collect yeast after a brew, often reuse yeast 5 times and seems to be no drama
I 100g hop the nochill in the cube and pour the lot into to the keg... very lazy BIAG brewing and am making great beer with little effort
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Kegmenters
Oct 3, 2019 12:47:43 GMT 10, Post #59130
Post by Lord Raja Goomba I on Oct 3, 2019 12:47:43 GMT 10
Love my two 23L cony kegmenters. I was tossing up between one big girl or the two, and chose two 23L for versatility. I have the same 2 x 23L older mytton kegs (and a 50 i can use to PF) easy cheap and will last a long long time
i cut the dips a little so no hop block or yeast cake. a tiny bit dose come through to keg when pressure tranfering
Jar on the floor and pour in from keg to collect yeast after a brew, often reuse yeast 5 times and seems to be no drama
I 100g hop the nochill in the cube and pour the lot into to the keg... very lazy BIAG brewing and am making great beer with little effort
- do you have the round "tank style" lids, or the oval "normal corny" ones? Reason I ask, is that the round O-Rings for them are difficult to find, and I want to use my Mytton Road keg for kegmenting too. |
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wally
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Post by wally on Oct 3, 2019 14:05:03 GMT 10
I have the same 2 x 23L older mytton kegs (and a 50 i can use to PF) easy cheap and will last a long long time
i cut the dips a little so no hop block or yeast cake. a tiny bit dose come through to keg when pressure tranfering
Jar on the floor and pour in from keg to collect yeast after a brew, often reuse yeast 5 times and seems to be no drama
I 100g hop the nochill in the cube and pour the lot into to the keg... very lazy BIAG brewing and am making great beer with little effort
- do you have the round "tank style" lids, or the oval "normal corny" ones? Reason I ask, is that the round O-Rings for them are difficult to find, and I want to use my Mytton Road keg for kegmenting too. LRG, Do you mean the gaskets for the two inch BSP plugs? |
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Joined: Jan 3, 2018 22:14:59 GMT 10
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Kegmenters
Oct 3, 2019 14:14:57 GMT 10, Post #59138
Post by Lord Raja Goomba I on Oct 3, 2019 14:14:57 GMT 10
maheel - do you have the round "tank style" lids, or the oval "normal corny" ones? Reason I ask, is that the round O-Rings for them are difficult to find, and I want to use my Mytton Road keg for kegmenting too. LRG, Do you mean the gaskets for the two inch BSP plugs? Sorry, the keg lids' o-rings. Most are the oval shape (so a normal, from the brew shop O ring will fit), but I have smaller (about 2" circle) ones, and so there are less o-rings available. If he has them, I was going to hit him up for a supplier. I got one from nhb who was kind enough to mail me his last one from stock for free, but thinking long term. |
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maheel
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Oct 3, 2019 14:25:49 GMT 10, Post #59139
Post by maheel on Oct 3, 2019 14:25:49 GMT 10
LRG i have the "normal" lid not the 2' circle so cannot help you
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wally
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Post by wally on Oct 3, 2019 15:02:45 GMT 10
LRG, Do you mean the gaskets for the two inch BSP plugs? Sorry, the keg lids' o-rings. Most are the oval shape (so a normal, from the brew shop O ring will fit), but I have smaller (about 2" circle) ones, and so there are less o-rings available. If he has them, I was going to hit him up for a supplier. I got one from nhb who was kind enough to mail me his last one from stock for free, but thinking long term. These come from RR Taylor, however they don’t sell direct. Get your local retailer or a sponsor to order for you. |
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outback
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Post by outback on Oct 3, 2019 17:11:11 GMT 10
Sorry, the keg lids' o-rings. Most are the oval shape (so a normal, from the brew shop O ring will fit), but I have smaller (about 2" circle) ones, and so there are less o-rings available. If he has them, I was going to hit him up for a supplier. I got one from nhb who was kind enough to mail me his last one from stock for free, but thinking long term. These come from RR Taylor, however they don’t sell direct. Get your local retailer or a sponsor to order for you. Doesn't Brewman keep spares for these? |
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