Anyone using the Craftabrew Catalyst?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by MillersEleven, Mar 20, 2017.

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  1. MillersEleven

    MillersEleven Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2017 Oregon

    Hi all,
    I just recently got into homebrewing and I splurged and got the Catalyst fermenter. So far it works great! Just wondering if there are any of you who are more experienced that have been using it and what you think. Are there any tips and tricks you can provide while I'm doing my primary fermentation and for bottling? Thanks!
     
    #1 MillersEleven, Mar 20, 2017
  2. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Sorry, but I don't use that one, nor do I know anything about it.
     
    #2 PapaGoose03, Mar 21, 2017
  3. CarolusP

    CarolusP Zealot (590) Oct 22, 2015 Minnesota

    I've never heard of it, so had to look it up. It looks pretty interesting. The ability to remove the trub without transferring is pretty slick, though I just know that if I owned one I would forget to screw on the jar first and I'd ending dumping my beer all over my basement.

    https://craftabrew.com/products/the-catalyst-fermentation-system
     
    #3 CarolusP, Mar 21, 2017
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  4. Jake_Ramrod

    Jake_Ramrod Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2013 Kentucky

    Looks interesting. But, strict temp control seems potentially tougher because of its size.
     
    #4 Jake_Ramrod, Mar 21, 2017
  5. Granitebeard

    Granitebeard Zealot (549) Aug 24, 2016 Maine

    I saw this, and things like it and thought it would be great if I ever try to harvest my own yeast. Otherwise I am worried about introducing air into my brew when I pull the trub. Also the bottling adapters for this type of fermenter seem pretty slick.
     
    #5 Granitebeard, Mar 21, 2017
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  6. MillersEleven

    MillersEleven Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2017 Oregon

    Oxygen introduction seems to be the biggest concern I've heard for this system, but I follow a guy on YouTube who uses it and hasn't had any noticeable effect to the finished beer yet. Also, I read another thread where someone had the idea of using a thief to add wort to the empty jar after removing the trub. Haven't tried that myself yet, but it might be my next step.
     
    #6 MillersEleven, Mar 21, 2017
  7. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,250) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    I've seen it before, and it looks slick, but it doesn't seem slick enough to spend $200 on, when you can ferment in buckets and carboys that you can find for $30 or less. In the end, you're paying $170+ because someone built a conical shaped bucket with a valve. Equipment upgrades promise great and easy beer, but I've learned to be skeptical.
     
    #7 pweis909, Mar 21, 2017
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  8. CarolusP

    CarolusP Zealot (590) Oct 22, 2015 Minnesota

    I wonder if the oxygen introduction would be any worse than if you transferred to a secondary or bottling bucket. Since this system would basically allow you to forego those steps, I wonder if it's a zero sum game.

    It's the empty-wallet introduction that I think would be the biggest concern for me.
     
    #8 CarolusP, Mar 21, 2017
  9. sarcastro

    sarcastro Savant (1,133) Sep 20, 2006 Michigan

    Why reply if you have nothing to add?
     
    #9 sarcastro, Mar 21, 2017
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  10. CarolusP

    CarolusP Zealot (590) Oct 22, 2015 Minnesota

    Might we now ask you the same question?
     
    #10 CarolusP, Mar 21, 2017
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  11. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I was warning the OP who is a new member and likely did not realize that the post was in the wrong forum that the thread was going to be moved from its original forum location. My post was edited with the second paragraph removed where I said that. :slight_smile:
     
    #11 PapaGoose03, Mar 21, 2017
    SFACRKnight, donspublic, sarcastro and 1 other person like this.
  12. MillersEleven

    MillersEleven Initiate (0) Mar 20, 2017 Oregon

    Yup, definitely did not realize it was in the wrong forum. Thanks for the help! Also thanks to those who have given their input so far. Like I said, I'm new to homebrewing so every bit of info is helpful.
     
    #12 MillersEleven, Mar 21, 2017
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  13. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    The (edited) post surprised me too, but I figured it must have been something like that. I've never known The Goose to post anything information-less.
     
    #13 VikeMan, Mar 22, 2017
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  14. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I should have told the mods to delete my post after moving the thread from Beer Talk, but hindsight is 20/20.
     
    #14 PapaGoose03, Mar 22, 2017
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