v-vessel

[Maine Homebrewer]

I've seen these things in various catalogs, as well as at one of the local supply shops.

http://www.homebrewit.com/aisle/p/5113
http://www.northernbrewer.com/ferment.html (scroll down a bit)

It looks like a pretty nifty tool to have.  I was wondering if anyone here has any experience using one.

John

[SleepySamSlim]

I've seen one for sale in a shop -- very nice looking. Maybe something like that in a few years ....

[UselessBrewing]

It's a great idea, I have always wanted a conical fermenter. Although it would be SS and not plastic if/when I get one. Something about the plastic just does not sit right with me...

Cheers
Preston

[MaltLicker]

Friend bought one to simplify dropping trub from primary, and capturing yeast to re-use.  Works well for that.  But he didn't have a temperature-controlled space large enough to house it, so he sacrificed fermentation temperature control.  Two other friends have s/s conicals but have the same complaint in basement/garage - no control of ambient temps around it.  

[Maine Homebrewer]

Something about the plastic just does not sit right with me...

It's a heck of a lot cheaper to replace a bucket than a conical.

no control of ambient temps around it.

Especially since a v-vessel needs to be anchored to the wall, at least the SS ones can be moved.

The SS ones make me drool, especially combined with a brewing sculpture (http://morebeer.com/search/103502/beerwinecoffee/coffeewinebeer/BrewSculptures), but such toys do not come cheap.

I'll probably get one (v-vessel) at some point, and let the ambient temp dictate what I make.

[bretski]

I saw that the other day when I was perusing Northernbrewer's website looking for something else.  I love the sediment collector, but the wall-mount requirement turns me off...although I'm sure you could fab-up a stand for it.

[deerelk4x4]

That is a good idea. Makes being able to move to a climate control area better in the warmer months.  also helps if you brew outside and need to fermet indoors.  With the fabricated stand you can transfer the wort at the brew site and then move it to your fermentation site (basement, garage, bedroom, where ever).  I am already drooling over the idea.

[Xipper]

I decided to get the v-vessel a try and ordered on a couple of weeks ago.  Last weekend I fabbed up a stand, as I cannot and will not attach it to a wall permanently.  I went to the local big-box hardware store and bought a few 8' 2x4s, a can of stain, some lag bolts and 4 caster wheels:



I had planned to ferment in my basement, but its still too cool at 60 degrees for my current batch.  The bucket normally wouldn't be underneath, but I literally just racked it for the first batch that I've brewed in a very long time.  Hopefully I didn't screw up and contaminate anything.

[MaltLicker]

Damn..........that's pretty sweet.  Small enough to imagine a foam box covering it, with ice blocks or wet towels or something to help maintain temps.  Nice.  Ferment wherever temps can be controlled.

[bretski]

+1.  Nice job.  In my mind, I had envisioned a square-shaped stand with the v-vessel in the center.  Are there good grips on the side to pick it up?  That's what makes me nervous...I'd worry about butter-fingers dropping it.

[Xipper]

Thanks guys.  I had put it in the center with the plans of adding a 2nd v-vessel on the opposite side (sandwiching the 2x6).  I just used 48" 2x4s for the 2 "posts", the bracket for the v-vessel (black) is attached to a 2x6.  I made the base 2x4 ~36", and its about 24" wide.  I used almost 3 8' 2x4, 16 x 1" lag bolts to hold the casters (2 being "crazy"/rotating with wheel locks), and some lag bolts just long enough to not penetrate the stacked 2x4 portions.

With the cross bracing and such it is very solid.

The v-vessel itself does not have any handles, which is the one area of weakness I have seen so far.  I have so far picked it up by the round posts that it hangs by, but that isn't very comfortable and you wouldn't want to carry it very far.  It has a batch of the NB "XX Ale" stock/old ale in it now, bubbling away.

[UselessBrewing]

Very Cool Beer Porn! Once you get the second one on there Post up some more pic's.

Cheers

Preston

[Maine Homebrewer]

Very do-it-yourself like most of my equipment, I like it.  Looks solid, though I'd have made it more L shaped to center the brew over the wheels.