6.5 gallon conical fermenter

[AtwellMicroBrew]

Hello, I am looking for information on using a 6.5 gallon conical fermenter. I have just purchased one, I've got a 6 gallon batch of California Steam Lager fermenting right now. The only directions that came with it was how to assemble it. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Thanks, Tim

[SLOSHomebrewers]

I thought your attachment would be a picture of your new conical fermenter, but it was just two smilies doing the cheers thing.

Cute, but not too informative.

Most conicals have a valve at the bottom and a valve just above the bottom. Is this what you have?

Assuming this is what you have, the idea is to pull your newly fermented beer off the lees from the upper of the two valves. The lowest valve is used for cleaning and, at times, yeast harvesting.
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Savanna (http://www.ford-wiki.com/wiki/Mazda_Savanna)

[AtwellMicroBrew]

SLOSH,
Thanks for your reply. My conical has two valves, the racking valve is located on the side. I was looking for information on procedures in using my new toy. I removed some trub using the bottom valve. I was wondering if you have to do this every so often. I bought this so I could complete a batch of brew without the extra racking.
At bottling time I plan to try those priming tablets. Have you ever used them? They are made by coopers I think.
Thanks, Tim

[brewmonkey]

The idea behind a conical (unitank) fermenter is so that you wont have to rack off. If you blow down the yeast every so often when the beer is done fermenting there should be little to no yeast left in it and you can go straight to package.

The racking arm on the side could also be used to harvest yeast for another batch.

Who made your tank and does the racking/harvest arm have a 90 degree bend in it so you can maneuver it into the middle of the yeast?

[SLOSHomebrewers]

You have some great equipment there. When you get it dialed in, it will be even easier to make really great homebrew.

As for priming tablets, it's not my style. I am a pretty serious control freak when it comes to the brew and using something someone else produced doesn't settle well with me. Besides, I have had bad luck with Coopers products in the past.

I either force carbonate in the keg or use gyle to prime naturally carbonated ales.
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COLORADO MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY (http://colorado.dispensaries.org/)