Conicals - Worth The Cost?

I would think that the virticle fridge would be far more convenient. You'd almost have to work upside down in the chest freezer.

 

still not sure what that means.

 

Just what we are talking about. If you have a few batches fermenting, only one of them is in the conical, right? The conical in it's special fridge. While the rest of the batches are still in carboys in the chest freezer.

 

As I said, I exploit ambient temps for most of my beers. So this is irrelevant. There is no 'special fridge'

 

I have a conical, carboys, and buckets. Process is more of a pain with the last 2 as those go in the Chest freezer (dead lift) or down stairs into a cold part of the basement.

My conical is in the garage, which get down to 38-40F in the winter. Temp is controlled with a Johnson, probe in a thermowell, add heat with thermowrap. Do some nice lagers in the dead of winter this way, and spring and fall the conical has some ales.

 

If you have a location where you can consistently exploit ambient temperature to make beer you are very lucky. Most people can't brew at ambient temps and expect to make their best beer. Temperature control in brewing is one of the most important features of a good brewing process.

 

Indeed, when the weather cooperates you can use any of those fermenters in your garage with the thermowrap in the winter. Good argument, o.p. can certainly consider that option if it applies to him. Personally, I'd prefer not to depend too much on the season and the weather. I ferment indoors and have two chest freezers to control temps - but then I live in Texas.

 

Even in Michigan you can get the unexpected heat wave in the winter.

The cost - it was a the retirement gift from the guys.

 

I often have gadget envy when I see other peoples' conicals. The deal breaker for me is that I have to move my full fermenters occasionally. That won't happen with 11-12 gallons of liquid onboard. I know that John Palmer mentioned on the BN several years ago that he had abandoned his conicals and gone back to carboys. If I ever am lucky enough to have a decent dedicated brewing space I'll probably get a couple. For now though, carboys just work better.

 

Casters, nuff said.

 

They have to move vertically as well. I could probably just strap one to a hand cart but I'm not that ambitious.