Brew Bucket Mini - 3.5 gal Stainless Steel Fermenter™

[Kealia]

Dammit, MoreBeer is tempting me again with this.

I was looking at the larger one earlier but it wouldn't fit in my fermentation chamber. This one would be perfect for small batches and replace by glass 3G carboy.

My only hanging point would be whether or not I can find a way to use my Thermowell with it......guess I'm going to have to swing by and take a look at these in person.

[MadBrewer]

Sounds like this is perfect for Mashani.

[Beer-lord]

I've read where some drill their own thermowell hole but I've decided not to do this for now.

[mashani]

Sounds like this is perfect for Mashani.

I've been eyeing it. I'm trying to figure out how I would move it from counter in kitchen where I need to fill it, to basement, where it needs to be for fermentation, if the base that doesn't stay attached, and it won't stand up without the base. Which do I move first? How? Chicken or egg? Do I have to resort to duct tape? LOL.

@Kealia: if you look at that thing in person, let me know what you think in this regards.

[Kealia]

I will do that, sir.

[Foothiller]

I have looked before for this size of stainless steel fermenter, and now just after I had given up . . . Well, I guess I need to check my budget.

[BigPapaG]

While the description indicates welded on ss handles, the pics don't show them.

Checking the next size larger, the pic show the handles.


Ron, I would be interested in whether or not there are really handles on the thing...

Pls...

[Kealia]

It will likely be next week before I get over to MoreBeer but I will take all questions posted here with me to get answers/pics.

[Kealia]

I was going to go by today but they said they didn't have them in the showroom yet. I will be going by as soon as they get them in.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[Kealia]

I should be going by on Wednesday to look at this and hopefully pick one up if I like it.

Although the non-attached base does have me wondering why they would design it that way?

[mashani]

Ask them if you can get a second base, and if so how much? It is not listed on their web site as far as I can see. I would need a base in my basement and one in my kitchen for ultimate ease of use. That or duct tape. But that seems stupid.

[Kealia]

I picked this up today. But won't have time to play with it until the weekend. I will post pics, answer questions, etc.

mashani - the guys at MoreBeer are not aware of the ability to purchase a second base and I still can't figure out why it's not connected. Maybe after handling it a bit and moving it around I'll "get it". Right now, I have plans to make the hole in the lid bigger so it will fit a stopper with an airlock and a Thermowell. I can't lose my temp control.

[Kealia]

So....I don't have the tools I need to punch a hole in this thing so I'm calling my local machine shop on Monday to see if they can. I plan on enlarging the hole to be big enough to fit a #6 stopper with an airlock/Thermowell combo in it - one of these:


If they tell me that they can't for some reason it goes back to MoreBeer. I don't want to have to figure out a hack for temp control, nor buy any new equipment to handle that. I like my STC-1000 and need to be able to use it with this.

My other impressions so far in just handling it:
1) It's a nice piece of equipment. Sturdy, well built.
2) I'm not sure why they didn't put handles on this smaller one. It won't be very heavy when full, but handles would have been nice.
3) I'm guessing the base was designed this way to make cleaning easier but honestly, I would have preferred legs on it or a base that would lock on/disconnect somehow. It's not a deal-breaker like the temp control is for me, but definitely not a great design in that manner IMO.
4) I like the spring-loaded hinges and how the top seals nicely.
5) I'm going to love not having to use an auto-siphon to bottle/keg when the time comes, I know it.
6) It's going to be simple to put together, just a quick screw on valve assembly like the MrB/BD fermentors - just better 'cuz they are stainless steel.

I'll take some pics soon but don't plan on putting it together fully or giving it its first cleaning and passivation (is that word?) until I know whether or not I can get the hole punched.

Let me know if you guys have questions about it in the meantime.

[Kealia]

I was able to get a local machine shop to increase the size of the hole in the lid for me so this is ready to use.


I can now use a stopper with both an airlock and my Thermowell in it - although because the hole is not in the center of the lid the Thermowell hits the bottom and causes the stopper to be slightly askew. This is easily solved by simply pulling the end of the Thermowell up a bit. Not a big deal, but thought I would call it out.


I gave it a good cleaning with TSP as recommended and then used some StarSan for the passivate step. It's now clean, dry and put away ready for use. I like the rotating arm/valve for draining. It's going to be so much nicer than using my auto-siphon. Just one more thing I don't have to think about next time.

I still think it could use handles to make moving it easier, but even when full of StarSan it's light enough to carry around by gripping the bottom and carrying it. I also still don't understand the thinking behind the base other than maybe silicon is cheaper than stainless steel legs. This will be a minor annoyance but something I'll get over because it's so shiny and pretty


I like the markings for volume on the inside, too.


I have no plans to brew for a while as I've got a full pipeline to drink right now but I'll update again when I use it "for real" the first time.''

[Beer-lord]

I still rarely use my Thermo-probe but love this fermenter. Got 6 gallons in it now and while it's not perfect, I really think my best beers have been fermented in this fermenter. You will love this thing Ron. Cleans easy and takes a beating.