Anyone who ferments in a conical utilize a spunding valve like this one in this pic? I've read that it can have major benefits: expediting primary fermentation, retaining SO4, and, of course, naturally carbing the beer. Can anyone provide any insight into pros and cons? If anyone uses these, can you let me know where you purchased? TIA.
he kinda looks German (seriously, an american brewer without a beard and wearing a metal watch? I'm thinking Euro), so it may be a manufacturer over there...but have you checked with GW Kent? I'm not sure why using a spunding valve would expedite primary fermentation, but would expedite the conditioning. I've thought about building one for a corny keg but never have.
Thanks for the link. Great source. As for why it would speed up fermentation, I just read the following from the Braukaiser site: "The literature reports that primary fermentation under pressure reduces esters and higher alcohols which allows for fermentation at a higher temperature. Some breweries do that to speed up fermentation while being able to keep the fermentation clean." Anyhow, I'm afraid the question is now moot, as our 1 BBL fermentor is only pressure tested to 4 psi. Might still try and use a more basic release valve and regulator to see if we can obtain some of the benefits. We'll see.
White Labs has the high pressure lager yeast for faster ferments and conditioning. It is in the proseries though. http://www.whitelabs.com/yeast/wlp925-hp-lager-yeast?s=pro
http://www.byo.com/stories/item/397-build-your-own-spunding-valve-to-carbonate-in-the-keg Edit: What does the pumpy thingy he's got his hand on in the picture do?
Old thread, I know...but to answer the question: it's just a handle to open up the valve, in the same way your pressure relief valve on your ball lock corny keg has a little metal ring you can grab. You adjust the valve relief pressure by turning the nut below, or pull up on the knob to release pressure. The one in the photo is made by Barby and Kuhner, I think. I like the fact that there's an airlock integrated with it, which most of the home brew DIY bunging pressure devices don't have.
