SS Brewtech 13L Brew Bucket Mini

[MagnusTS]

Does anyone have any advice about the Brewtech fermenters, especially the 13L mini-bucket?

I'm looking for a small fermenter, and had been thinking about the 13L mini-bucket. But then I read some reviews that said it was a little disappointing that there were no handles on the mini-bucket, and it made carrying it tricky (plus they also didn't like the detachable base), so I was put off a bit.

But I just checked the brewtech website, and in the photos of the mini-bucket there are definitely handles. Have they just upgraded the design a bit? Is this a new model?

https://www.ssbrewtech.com/collections/brew-buckets/products/brew-bucket-mini
I see they are back in stock at Maltmiller, but in their photo I can't see handles on the mini bucket.

 

[Braufather]

I have the 19l version and am very happy with it. So simple to clean and use. I considered getting the smaller ones for split batches but got the speidal ones instead. Have you considered the fermenter king junior?

 

[MagnusTS]

I have the 19l version and am very happy with it. So simple to clean and use. I considered getting the smaller ones for split batches but got the speidal ones instead. Have you considered the fermenter king junior?

Thanks, I will have a look at the fermentor king jnr now !

 

[obscure]

I have one and no it has no handles (but they may have upgraded it). It was pricy but stainless steel is so easy to clean.

 

[MagnusTS]

Thanks. Does yours have a thermowell?

 

[uDicko]

I can't see handles on the mini bucket.

I had one. It was a PITA. It had a removable base with a conical bottom and no handles. To move that around was a nightmare.

I'd definitely go with the recommendation above with hindsight and get fermenter King jnr. Get a thermowell attachment and bang it in the lid. If you want to do it cheaper just attach the probe to the side of the vessel under some insulation and sticky tape. Does the job well.

 

[Pennine]

I have two an older one with no handles and a base that's not fixed and a new one with handles and an attached based. the new one is much better so make sure you get that model with the handles. there are no thermowells but you can easily add one if you want. I just put some tape temp gauge on it. if you use loose hops it will clog but otherwise they are great. they are very easy to clean. make sure you really clean it out well a couple of times they are greasy and leave a black mark on the Krausen layer on the sides if you don't.

 

[MagnusTS]

I have two an older one with no handles and a base that's not fixed and a new one with handles and an attached based. the new one is much better so make sure you get that model with the handles. there are no thermowells but you can easily add one if you want. I just put some tape temp gauge on it. if you use loose hops it will clog but otherwise they are great. they are very easy to clean. make sure you really clean it out well a couple of times they are greasy and leave a black mark on the Krausen layer on the sides if you don't.

Thanks for this. Really happy to hear that they must have responded to reviews and fixed those 2 big problems with the earlier model.

 

[Peter Scandlyn]

I have a 30litre, purchased last year, unsure how many brews used for before Covid struck. Supplies became problematic, so I worked thru my stock of bottled, supplies came right about the time I ran out. I bottle (obviously), bulk prime.
Big fail with this thing. Fails to prime, full stop. Tried various ways to work round. Nope. Back to my old plastic fantastic - this things a wall-flower now.

 

[malhal]

I asked SS Brewtech for the diameter of the silicone base of the 3.5 gal Brew Bucket Mini which is not anywhere on their website or on any other store listing so thought I'd share their reply here in case it helps others:

"Just the bucket without the silicone base from the bottom of the cone to the brim of the bucket is 360mm tall with a top diameter of 250mm. The silicone base is 75mm tall and 220mm wide, but because the 3.5 Gallon bucket is nested inside the base, it only adds 15mm to the total height when assembled. You can add 20mm for the lid, fully assembled 395mm tall."