MiniBrew systems

[Fool's Gold]

I am looking for equipment to get for the upcoming meadery launch and was wondering if anyone could give me some info on the MiniBrew conical fermenters?

How well are they built? Any flavor imparting? Oxygenation issues?

If anyone has any experience with these fermenters and could share it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Altricious]

I have no experience with that sort of equipment, but if you like the concept, consider other sources for similar tanks. Conical tanks are available for all sorts of commercial uses from many suppliers. You can get FDA approved HDPE products from places like this: http://www.usplastic.com/ .

I don't know if they'd be cheaper, but I do suspect you may pay a premium for something labeled specifically for brewing so it's worth the legwork.

 

[fatbloke]

I am looking for equipment to get for the upcoming meadery launch and was wondering if anyone could give me some info on the MiniBrew conical fermenters?

How well are they built? Any flavor imparting? Oxygenation issues?

If anyone has any experience with these fermenters and could share it would be greatly appreciated.

do a forum search for conical fermenters, I seem to recall seeing them mentioned a number of times.

If you find out who's using them, you may be able to ask direct how they've got on with them......

 

[IanB]

Hmm

Although I can't reply about the conical's you are referencing specifically, I would say that in general HDPE is a great container for mead.

Even if a little air (debatable) is getting through the container, mead under fermentation will be happy with a little air (remember how we agitate to get oxygen into the fermentation at the beginning) and when you are bulk aging, I find that heavy duty HDPE plastic is good for a year or more.

The only disadvantage of plastic I have found, is that you can't steam it as aggressively as stainless, and the standard fittings are not as 'sturdy' as stainless threaded fittings.

Honestly though, the price FAR outweighs any negatives, so as long as you are getting good plastic, and have the proper fittings, you should be fine fermenting and storing commercially (all other things being equal)

Ian

 

[Nathan K]

I have no experience with that sort of equipment, but if you like the concept, consider other sources for similar tanks. Conical tanks are available for all sorts of commercial uses from many suppliers. You can get FDA approved HDPE products from places like this: http://www.usplastic.com/ .

I don't know if they'd be cheaper, but I do suspect you may pay a premium for something labeled specifically for brewing so it's worth the legwork.

I can vouch for US Plastics. I've ordered 300 gallon and 1500 gallon tanks from them for the storage of water. I haven't ordered conical tanks from them. You may want to call and ask to make sure that the construction and fittings are sanitary for food use (meaning no places for creepy crawlies to hide). Being food grade alone doesn't guarantee that. The tanks that I received from them were high quality and the freight charges were very reasonable.

 

[Noe Palacios]

Although I can't reply about the conical's you are referencing specifically, I would say that in general HDPE is a great container for mead.

Even if a little air (debatable) is getting through the container, mead under fermentation will be happy with a little air (remember how we agitate to get oxygen into the fermentation at the beginning) and when you are bulk aging, I find that heavy duty HDPE plastic is good for a year or more.

The only disadvantage of plastic I have found, is that you can't steam it as aggressively as stainless, and the standard fittings are not as 'sturdy' as stainless threaded fittings.

Honestly though, the price FAR outweighs any negatives, so as long as you are getting good plastic, and have the proper fittings, you should be fine fermenting and storing commercially (all other things being equal)

Ian

I'm agree with IanB.

My formulation tank and fermenters are 60 gallons tanks like these ones http://www.tank-depot.com/product.aspx?id=854.

Take note: you have to be carefully when you wash them, the main danger are the scrapes, you have treat them accurately. That is why I don't use nothing abrasive to wash them, instead that, I use a Kärcher high pressure pump (2,000 Psi), it takes everything from the surface in seconds. But I had to modify one of the Kärcher lance, I attached one of this nozzles - http://source.theengineer.co.uk/pictures/633xAny/3/1/6/2010316_Bete-poseidon.jpg. Using this nozzle I'm sure that: first - the solids from the whole surface were completely removed, second - the whole surface was chemically treated and finally - that all chemicals were washed down. Brushed aside the scrapes' posibility, these tanks and minibrew, to me, are as good as stainless steel.

I don't know about minibrew, but I have to say that I had to make adjustments on my lids to obtain a decent seal, I'm still looking a way to improve it, just to be sure when the fermentation ends. But I also have to say that no matter this lid's issue I'm pleased with my tanks and that I'm planning to buy few more, or maybe minibrew, we'll see.

Saludos,

 

[Fool's Gold]

Thanks everyone, it is good to know that I should be ok starting with plastic over stainless steel. Certainly reduces the cost by leaps and bounds!

 

[Jestig]

Just out of curiosity what size of system are you starting with. I have been having this debate with myself for awhile now. I was very anti plastic for a while, but can not ignore the cost benefits of plastic.

 

[Noe Palacios]

Just out of curiosity what size of system are you starting with. I have been having this debate with myself for awhile now. I was very anti plastic for a while, but can not ignore the cost benefits of plastic.

When I did my numbers I made to myself these questions:

• How many dollars do I need yearly in order to have a decent life?
• How many dollars do I need to make one bottle of mead?
• How many bottles of mead do I need to reach the wanted amount of dollars?

When you'll get that answer you'll find how many fermenters, how many drums, how many ... how many everything.

Saludos,

 

[Fool's Gold]

Jestig, It seems I will be jumping to 60 gallon batches, as the investors surprised me with a new 60 gallon fermenter in that size once we got moved to Wisconsin. Now I just need to decide the best way for adapting it to my practices, and how I need to adjust my practices for the larger batches.