Ss brewtech unitank

[Make us a brew luv]

Hey
I am seriously considering spending 1600 quid on a 7 gallon unitank with accessories.
I really like the way they look and I love the idea of each cleaning but it's a serious amou t of money. You could get 10 fermzillas for that much nearly.
I also don't like the fact you can't see inside it or measure joy much stuff u got in there.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Cheers

 

[fgoulding]

They look like a fantastic piece of kit. If I were going to buy one, I’d go for the 14 gallon so as to have room to expand my production. But the price is a tad eye watering.

I see that Kegland is planning to launch a fermzilla 2 steel conical this year which will use tri-clamps. I’m sure that it won‘t be the same quality as the ss brewtech, nor be as flexible but it’s bound to be a fraction of the cost.

Here’s David Heath’s video on the subject (at around the 5 min mark):

 

[hoppyscotty]

The pull to sexy bits of kit like this is strong but I keep struggling to justify it. I've got a Fermzilla 27litre and a Grainfather conical and to be honest I prefer the Fermzilla for all of its faults and idiosyncrasies. Its just far more practical and flexible especially when it comes to what you do after fermentation. I think the Fermzilla is a nice design just poorly executed, but I believe in 2022 we're going to see a new version with the horrible screw threat at the bottom of the vessel replaced with a 3 inch (or 2.5") triclamp fitting flange, which will solve almost all of the drawbacks/disadvantages of the Fermzilla and give the vessel a huge increase in versatility. Also I've got so used to being able to see the fermentation. I would not buy another Grainfather conical - lack of pressure fermentation, lack of totally oxygen free pressure transfer (lid leaks with as little as 2 psi applied so limited to gravity fill for bottles or kegs).

I think if you have money to spend/invest/burn then far better to put it into a glycol chiller and several Fermzilla's or a similar strategy. Ultimately it is the environment you create for your yeast that makes for a successful fermentation and best outcome for your beer. The yeast don't really care about the construction of the vessel they're in.

But on the other hand they do look very very nice!! Head vs. heart decision I'm afraid.

 

[Druncan]

I have two 75L and one 150L Brewbuilder Unitanks with ACask watercooled jackets to my modded subzero chiller on a STC100. Been running this commercially for a few years. If Mark ever gets his stock from China may be worth consideration as a cost effective alternative? It's very well made and he's a great guy

 

[xozzx]

I plan to buy the Brewtools F80 unitank when its back in stock... unless I win best in show at Scottish National Homebrew comp which first prize is a 7gal SS brewtech Unitank! entries in the post today

 

[fgoulding]

I plan to buy the Brewtools F80 unitank when its back in stock... unless I win best in show at Scottish National Homebrew comp which first prize is a 7gal SS brewtech Unitank! entries in the post today

That’s a serious piece of kit!

 

[fgoulding]

The pull to sexy bits of kit like this is strong but I keep struggling to justify it. I've got a Fermzilla 27litre and a Grainfather conical and to be honest I prefer the Fermzilla for all of its faults and idiosyncrasies. Its just far more practical and flexible especially when it comes to what you do after fermentation. I think the Fermzilla is a nice design just poorly executed, but I believe in 2022 we're going to see a new version with the horrible screw threat at the bottom of the vessel replaced with a 3 inch (or 2.5") triclamp fitting flange, which will solve almost all of the drawbacks/disadvantages of the Fermzilla and give the vessel a huge increase in versatility. Also I've got so used to being able to see the fermentation. I would not buy another Grainfather conical - lack of pressure fermentation, lack of totally oxygen free pressure transfer (lid leaks with as little as 2 psi applied so limited to gravity fill for bottles or kegs).

I think if you have money to spend/invest/burn then far better to put it into a glycol chiller and several Fermzilla's or a similar strategy. Ultimately it is the environment you create for your yeast that makes for a successful fermentation and best outcome for your beer. The yeast don't really care about the construction of the vessel they're in.

But on the other hand they do look very very nice!! Head vs. heart decision I'm afraid.

Sound advice. I’m going to research glycol chillers as my wife is fed up with all my old fridges taking up loads of space!

 

[Dave Parry]

I have two 75L and one 150L Brewbuilder Unitanks with ACask watercooled jackets to my modded subzero chiller on a STC100. Been running this commercially for a few years. If Mark ever gets his stock from China may be worth consideration as a cost effective alternative? It's very well made and he's a great guy

I’ve just got myself a 14G Brewbuilder Conical FV off EBay - unused for £380 including a cooling coil and thermowell. Even new this would be sub £500. I know SS are the market leaders in this field, but I couldn’t justify the premium and I’m very happy with it.

Whilst I agree the yeast can’t tell what their temporary home is made of, they do care if it’s completely clean - and I was struggling with my FastFerments after 70 brews.

 

[Make us a brew luv]

Well thanks for the advice everyone.
I ended up buying a fermzilla to go with my fermentasaurus. The idea being that I can use the second one as a bright tank/fermenter/dry hopping place.
I think I will eventually upgrade, but if I do I think it would be the brewtools f80. However I'd also need a glycol chiller and loads of other stuff. It just keeps adding up!!!!! Would need to be making 6 quid a can beer every time to justify it....at least

 

[xozzx]

think I will eventually upgrade, but if I do I think it would be the brewtools f80. However I'd also need a glycol chiller and loads of other stuff. It just keeps adding up!!!!! Would need to be making 6 quid a can beer every time to justify it....at least

The F80 looks like a fantastic piece of kit, only issue is the cost of the actual unit is at least doubled once you get all the accessories as well - glycol chiller, hop drop kit, sample coil, heater, all the extra fittings, sight glasses etc.

I bought a B80 last year, slowly added all the accessories, and plan on getting the F80 this year, but I pay for it all with matched betting. I created a new bank account and signed up to a website that takes you through how to do it 18 months ago and do 30 mins or so every evening, bit more at weekends and all the money I make pays for my brewing kit now. Its a great little earner and keeps the wife from complaining about buying more brew kit, its also kinda fun and rips off the bookies so win - win! There is absolutely no way Id be allowed to buy all my expensive toys from our main account.

 

[Druncan]

Sound advice. I’m going to research glycol chillers as my wife is fed up with all my old fridges taking up loads of space!

@fgoulding They cool great and only use 200-300w However they need 'modding' with a STC100 to add heating control, but that can just be a belt or pad for one FV then lots of insulation.
My Brandels sub zero will quite happily chill my 3 FV's in summer. Just designing the GC bath heating element next for an easier multi FV system.

 

[fgoulding]

@fgoulding They cool great and only use 200-300w However they need 'modding' with a STC100 to add heating control, but that can just be a belt or pad for one FV then lots of insulation.
My Brandels sub zero will quite happily chill my 3 FV's in summer. Just designing the GC bath heating element next for an easier multi FV system.

Great! I’ll check it out. I already have an All Rounder with an insulation jacket, a heat belt and an inkbird :)