fermzilla all rounder

[Rodcx500z]

Hi all i am thinking of buying one of these with the pressure kit, collective feedback from forum members who have one would be very welcome before i take the plunge, thank you

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

I love mine - doesn't fit in my fridge though, but I have a drinks dispenser that takes loads of room.

I have seen people tipping them to one side to make them fit in their fridge so it can be done. They don't necessarily need to go in a fridge though, as pressure negates the need for full temperature control.

I would say if you want to keep your beer oxygen free, you would need maybe 2 of the similar thing, so you can pressure transfer. Of course if you have kegs you don't need 2. I don't though.

In my opinion there's no point pressure fermenting and then using the syphon after lol.

So easy to clean as the opening is large so you can get your whole arm in there - and it's smooth inside so the muck just falls off.

That's my two-pence worth

 

[HarryFlatters]

I really like mine and might buy a second one to go with it. It keeps hoppy aromas in, and you can do room temperature lagers and turn them around in a week without issue. Pressure transfer to kegs is very simple and quick, and your beer is nearly carbonated when you're kegging so no need for extended conditioning and carbing time.

 

[Rodcx500z]

Some good feedback there, think i might take the plunge, also i have no temp control but do have kegs and fridge, so the cost of temp control against an all rounder one would negate the other, did you go for the plastic or stainless carb caps, spunding valve v1 or v2

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

Spunding valve I'd definitely get the diaphragm - the other sort are crap and you'll be constantly altering it.

I went for stainless carb caps. Bit dearer but will last longer. I'd get some spare o-rings as well.

I don't know if you've planned to buy them, but I found the other day that the stainless black disconnects that the malt miller sell, don't fit on the carb caps. The grey ones do though. Confirmed by the malt miller as I enquired.

 

[Rodcx500z]

Cheers Tess is the diaphragm one v1 or v2, sorry to be a numpty

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

https://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/blowtie-complete-kit-diaphragm-spunding-valve/
Not sure Rod, but it's this one I have and it's ace.

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

Whoops it's out of stock, but other places will have them.

Basically the better ones are the one with the yellow cross, the other sort have a knob on the end and they have a different mechanism which often doesn't work properly.

 

[Rodcx500z]

Cheers Tess it's v1 at bkt

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

Cool.

 

[Rodcx500z]

Just ordered wish me luck

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

Something to note - they take 5/16 line, which you may not have at home. It'll come with the bits of line you need, but if you want to make the line longer so it doesn't stick up in the air, you may consider getting some more. Be careful though because there's different types and some don't bend. I got mine from Kegland on aliexpress.

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

Just ordered wish me luck

Good luck Rod!

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

Here is what I’ve done with mine.

 

[AnimatedGIF]

There's also a post in another thread about the lessons they learnt after using theirs for a while. I think it was recent but can't seem to find it right now. If I come across it I'll let you know as it was useful reading, having just bought exactly what you're purchasing.

 

[AnimatedGIF]

This wasn't the one I had in mind, but may be useful:
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/fermzilla-30l-allrounder.97163/post-1098429

 

[Mayor of Simpleton]

I have only done one brew on mine so may not be best qualified to comment here

Tess's call out on the 5/16th tubing is a good call out. Something I missed.

Both the v1 and v2 spunding valves at BKT are diaphragm type. The difference is the rating on the gauge. v1 is 0-40 psi. V2 is 0-15 psi.

I would suggest to do a pressure hold test before you ferment. I pressurised to 10 psi and left overnight. I had a small leak which I traced to the spunding valve tubing connection. That is worth checking.

Get some food grade silicone lube for the o ring seal on the lid as well. That makes fitting the lid easier.

I have the plastic carbonation caps on mine - they seem ok.

I have to say, I love being able to see the fermentation. so far, so good

 

[RoomWithABrew]

You can get a digital valve to fit these spunding valves now.

 

[dcbrookes]

Some good feedback there, think i might take the plunge, also i have no temp control but do have kegs and fridge, so the cost of temp control against an all rounder one would negate the other, did you go for the plastic or stainless carb caps, spunding valve v1 or v2

I find the plastic carbonation caps better - they have an inbuilt flange which seals when they are tightened. The SS caps have a normal washer to seal against the lid and, because the edge of the aperture in the lid is quite narrow, the washers can easily become distorted and fail to seal properly. I have three all rounders and find them excellent. If you decide to buy one read the instructions, particularly about suitable cleaners - which do not include Five Star PBW or any other cleaner with sodium metasilicate in. Both Kegland spunding valves are fine, but the one with the large dial is obviously easier to read.

 

[hoppyscotty]

Be careful with the metal carb caps...if you unscrew them and remove them regularly, for example when cleaning them, then you might experience heavy wear on the plastic fermenter cap screw threads - not a major problem as replacement fermenter tops are cheap to replace but just an FYI. I have them but never remove them as I flush them with all the various cleaning products with a modified garden pump sprayer.

But they're a nice to have rather than a necessity....the plastic caps work perfectly well.