Blichmann fermenter?

[Aunti-mater]

I have a chance to buy a couple older Blichmann 15 gallon fermeters for $150 ea. They were well cared for, both are clean and in excellent condition, and all the misc parts are included.
I can convert the bottom and side holes to 1.5" or 2" welded TC ferrules, that's not a problem.
Is there any downside to buying these?
My pot will be a 1/2 keg, so I'm interested because I can use one fermenter for a run instead of using a couple 8 gallon fermenters.

[Oystercracker123]

I would buy them and run as is for a few batches before making any changes. If within reasonable driving distance I’d have already picked them up. Are they necessary, nope. But I have a soft spot for stainless.

[BoilerMaker]

I picked up an older stainless 15g conical fermenter this year from a homebrewer that upgraded to a jacketed one. They can be found quite reasonable on the used market in these parts. I use 30gal plastic barrels for fermenting, then rack off the clear, squeeze the rest and put the cloudy in the conical to clear. It's a recent addition and so far seems to work well.

[Salt Must Flow]

Similar to what BoilerMaker said, though I ferment sugar washes in 55 gal poly drums. I use Bentonite Clay to clear the washes after fermentation and rack straight into the boiler. I lose a good bit because it's difficult to siphon off the last bit of cleared wash. Lately I've been searching for a 15 gal conical poly tank because they're reasonably priced, but the shipping costs more than the tank. A stand costs more than the tank and again the shipping costs as much if not more than the stand.

If I could find a conical locally I'd certainly drive to pick it up. I'd build my own stand if it didn't come with one. $150 is more than a reasonable price for a stainless conical fermenter.

I'm considering having a local fabricator build just a basic open top cone out of relatively thin stainless and a 1" nipple welded on the bottom.

[Oystercracker123]

I was all in thinking they were flat bottom. If they’re conical it’s a no-brainer to me especially with what the shipping is on the plastic conicals.

[Aunti-mater]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the information and affirmation. I bought them. I was on the fence because they were older, I wasn't sure if there were any known issues with them other than the small ports I read about on another site.

I'm in the beginning stages of this and knew nothing about it before it caught my interest. I've spent a lot of time online reading and watching things on distilling and brewing for the past few months. As I learn more, and form a preferred set up in my head, I've been watching the classifieds for good deals on parts I need. These are now in the garage next to the other treasures I've come across. I was fortunate that these were in my backyard....just a couple miles away. I've driven much further for some of the other things I've acquired....further than I'm willing to admit, but the price was right.

[Salt Must Flow]

You're lucky. I'm sure you'll put them to use and appreciate how convenient conical bottoms are. I've never used one, but I'm on the hunt for one now. I'll either have to buy one or have one made. I even considered making my own out of sheet copper, but I'd prefer stainless much more I think.

[shadylane]

I can convert the bottom and side holes to 1.5" or 2" welded TC ferrules, that's not a problem.
Is there any downside to buying these?

Since adding fittings aren't a problem.
I'm thinking a pair of modular mash cooking/fermenter/steam rigs.
The only problem I see is Ya now have more stuff that needs attention.

[Aunti-mater]

I can convert the bottom and side holes to 1.5" or 2" welded TC ferrules, that's not a problem.
Is there any downside to buying these?

Since adding fittings aren't a problem.
I'm thinking a pair of modular mash cooking/fermenter/steam rigs.
The only problem I see is Ya now have more stuff that needs attention.

Sorry, I have no idea what you mean by this. Could you please explain it? But, keep in mind that I have no plans on doing beer, so if this is beer speak, no abla beer-ez-amo, and (no offense), no interest in it!
I'm distilling fuel for my gas powered drone. That's the only reason I'm doing this.

[Twisted Brick]

Sorry, I have no idea what you mean by this. Could you please explain it? But, keep in mind that I have no plans on doing beer, so if this is beer speak, no abla beer-ez-amo, and (no offense), no interest in it!
I'm distilling fuel for my gas powered drone. That's the only reason I'm doing this.

I believe Shady is just visualizing the plumbing config to hook one of your fermenters together with a keg in a boiler/thumper steam rig. Some members mash and ferment in a keggle, and once the ferment is done, simply drop a steam wand into the vessel and strip away. Easy-peasy no effing grain squeezy.

[Bolverk]

Easy-peasy no effing grain squeezy.

[Salt Must Flow]

Aunti-mater if it makes you feel better about your purchase, the best deal I could find on a 15 gal conical poly tank is $183.27 including shipping. That doesn't include a stand, but I'm sure I can make one with swivel casters too. I'll probably order this thing before I do my next run unless I can find a better deal elsewhere.

[Oldhenry1]

I've used a Blichmann fermenter making beer for years.

The leg extensions make a big difference in usable working height for a gravity drain into corny kegs for storage and serving.
It will get used for distilling too.