[JJeffers09]

I am talking to the wife about stepping up to a SS Conical. 

So things to consider, for me:

1)I don't brew lagers.  If I did, I would do a small batch because I am not an avid lager drinker.
2)I want a versatile fermenter, that has a lot to offer. (via gallon extensions)
3)Better Yeast harvesting
4)Durability of 304 SS
5)Meeting the Sanitation level I prefer.  Not a fan of my spiedels transferring hop aroma after thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing.  The ability to use boiling water has its advantages
6)Safety advantages.

any knowledge or advice you have to offer would be greatly appreciated

[blatz]

i have 2 blichmann 14.5s and they are perfect size for me.

I'd go with the sanitary fittings if you can, I don't have them, but if I could do it all over, I would.

figure out a way to pump into the conical in place if you're doing anything bigger than a 5 gal batch.

I don't sanitize with boiling - seems kind of unnecessary - iodophor or starsan is pretty easy to use.

[mabrungard]

I have one of the original 12 gal Blichmann conicals and it has been a champ. It does use what amounts to weld-less fittings. I guess it would be better to have welded sanitary fittings, but it hasn't proven necessary.

I agree with Paul that boiling sanitation isn't necessary. However after about 13 years of use, I noticed a very thin layer on the interior of the fermenter. If I really worked at it with my fingernail, I could wear through it. I then realized I needed to clean a little more thoroughly on occasion. The SST did allow me to circulate 160F PBW solution through the vessel and that took that layer right off. I have a pump and RIMS that makes heating and recirculating the solution easy.

I typically only brew 5.5 gal batches, so I'm not really effectively using the fermenter volume. I only produce yeast sediment up to about the limit of the rotating racking port. I'm sure it would be better to brew bigger batches, but its rare for me. Anyhow, it not necessary or desirable for me to drain any yeast out of the cone since that would mean that there would be beer left in the fermenter that I couldn't reach with the racking port.

I guess a smaller fermenter might be better for me. Maybe one of that SST brew buckets is in my future?

[blatz]

I agree with Paul that boiling sanitation isn't necessary. However after about 13 years of use, I noticed a very thin layer on the interior of the fermenter. If I really worked at it with my fingernail, I could wear through it. I then realized I needed to clean a little more thoroughly on occasion. The SST did allow me to circulate 160F PBW solution through the vessel and that took that layer right off. I have a pump and RIMS that makes heating and recirculating the solution easy.

I've found a warm pbw cycle for 1 hr  followed by a rinse and then an Acid #5 recirculation for 20-30 min 1-2 times per year helps turn it back to new condition, fyi.

[blair.streit]

I guess a smaller fermenter might be better for me. Maybe one of that SST brew buckets is in my future?

I use the 7G SS Brewtech for my 5G batches and love it. Well build, easy to use, easy to clean. The only reason I would consider going up to a conical is if I started brewing larger batches or found a pressing need to drop yeast.

To your earlier point about replacing the yeast/trub with beer that ends up below the racking arm that had never even occurred to me. It makes me less interested in getting a conical, as turning the conical upside down and drinking that last quart seems impractical and I would be embarrassed if someone caught me doing it 

[69franx]

I guess a smaller fermenter might be better for me. Maybe one of that SST brew buckets is in my future?

I use the 7G SS Brewtech for my 5G batches and love it. Well build, easy to use, easy to clean. The only reason I would consider going up to a conical is if I started brewing larger batches or found a pressing need to drop yeast.

To your earlier point about replacing the yeast/trub with beer that ends up below the racking arm that had never even occurred to me. It makes me less interested in getting a conical, as turning the conical upside down and drinking that last quart seems impractical and I would be embarrassed if someone caught me doing it 

But in the end, you would take one for the team though right? 

[blair.streit]

But in the end, you would take one for the team though right? 

6 days a week and twice on Sunday 

[westcoastbrew]

I have a 7 gallon SS Brew Tech and a 14.  Both work great.  If you brew more 5 gallon batches, I would go with the 7 gallon unit.