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F

ermenator

tm

 

NPT Models 

 

Operation, Assembly, Maintenance Manual 

F3-7, F3-14, F3-27 models and optional attachments 

 

Congratulations on your purchase, and thank you for selecting the Fermenator

TM

 stainless conical 

fermentor from Blichmann Engineering.  We are confident that it will provide you years of service and 

many gallons of outstanding beer and wine.  This manual will familiarize you with the use, assembly, 
and the sanitation procedures for the product. 

 

**** PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY PRIOR TO USE FOR IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION **** 

 

Unpacking: 

 
Please ensure that you have the following items packaged with your fermentor: 

 

O-rings (27gal and 42gal model will have 2 smaller, 2 larger) 

Pressure relief valve o-rings (very small orange) 

Lid seal (large black seal installed on the lid) 

2 Ball 

valves 

O-ring retainer – (thin washer) 

Bottom dump fitting (1/2” NPT X 3/4” straight thread) 

1/2” NPT 90 degree stainless steel street elbow  

3/4-16 stainless steel hex nut (bottom dump) 

Racking arm fitting – ½” NPT X flare 

Racking tube (90 deg bent stainless tube) 

Racking tube nut 

Lid hatch (oval lid with handle) 

Pressure relief valve piston (stainless cylinder shaped part) 

Relief valve filter spring (installed on lid hatch) 

Large “T” nut (for V-band clamp) 

Airlock and stopper 

1/2” NPT X 3/4” hose barb for bottom dump (nylon) 

1/2” NPT X 3/8” hose barb (1/2” X 1/2” for 27gal model) for racking arm (nylon) 

90 degree barbed elbow (3/8”) for connecting CO2 hose (nylon) 

3/4” ID X 24” long hose for bottom dump 

1 Supplementary 

manual for installation of the F3-42 extension (if purchased) 

 
 
Note: some parts will be partially assembled to protect them during shipment. 

Summary of Contents for Fermenator F3-14 NPT

Page 1: ...orange 1 Lid seal large black seal installed on the lid 2 Ball valves 1 O ring retainer thin washer 1 Bottom dump fitting 1 2 NPT X 3 4 straight thread 1 1 2 NPT 90 degree stainless steel street elbow 1 3 4 16 stainless steel hex nut bottom dump 1 Racking arm fitting NPT X flare 1 Racking tube 90 deg bent stainless tube 1 Racking tube nut 1 Lid hatch oval lid with handle 1 Pressure relief valve pi...

Page 2: ...lead to equipment damage or unsatisfactory performance of the equipment Please read these sections thoroughly If you have any questions contact your retailer or Blichmann Engineering www BlichmannEngineering com before use Assembly Note We recommend a trial assembly of your new FermenatorTM before using it to ferment so you are familiar with the procedures and are sure you have all the parts When ...

Page 3: ...thread end of the bottom dump fitting pressing it firmly against the bottom of the fitting Place the o ring retainer stainless washer over the o ring Fig 1 Note that the o ring and washer go on the OUTSIDE of the tank Installing it on the inside of the tank will cause a steady leak to be present Insert the fitting into the tank Reaching in the tank thread on the 16 stainless nut hand tight Use a s...

Page 4: ...ossibility of a leak Lid Assembly Place the U shaped lid seal over the edge of the lid not on the tank with the small bead on the seal facing toward the lip of the tank as in Fig 5 Place the lid on the tank and orient the hatch and airlock holes to your desired location Be sure the lid is centered on the tank as much as possible Place the V band clamp around the lid and tank lip and start the T nu...

Page 5: ...e of this filter is to keep particles from clogging the relief valve which may lead to a dangerous over pressurization of the tank Install lid in the oval hole in the lid Fig 10 Place the small orange o ring on the pressure relief valve piston Fig 9 and place it in the small hole in the lid as shown in the photo to the right bottom The weight of the piston will limit the pressure in the unit to 3 ...

Page 6: ...2 see supplemental manual provided with that product Assemble the legs and braces as shown in Fig 11a through 14 using the 20 hardware provided Note that the braces go on the inside of the leg The washers also go on the inside of the leg as shown in Fig 13 and 14 It is recommended that you install all of the hardware finger tight first and tighten the assembly when all fasteners are in place This ...

Page 7: ... as shown in Fig 17 Do not install nuts or washers at this time Place the leg braces on the inside of the leg one at a time installing washers and nuts on the bolts finger tight as shown in Fig 18 Note that the braces go on the inside of the leg Tighten all of the fasteners at this time and invert the Fermenator onto the wheels The wheels are non marking to protect your floors and feature a wheel ...

Page 8: ...acceptable to boil fittings and seals to sterilize them however remove the black vinyl grips from the valve handles and do not boil the grips If you are not going to immediately use the fermentor dry the fittings and seals thoroughly and store them in a new plastic zip lock bag see storage section Before each use Fittings Soak all fittings valves o rings and lid seal in a sanitizing solution or bo...

Page 9: ...hol or sanitizing solution using a cotton ball or clean cloth Assemble the fittings on the tank per the previous assembly instruction section Fill the tank with about a gallon of water and then add your sanitizer Adding the sanitizer first will trap the sanitizer in the dump fittings and will not allow it to spread into the rest of the water in the tank Fill the tank until the water level is just ...

Page 10: ...0 min then assemble as described above Note that the fittings and other seals and components should still be immersed in sanitizer prior to assembly The only drawback with this method is that you can t check for leaks prior to filling However the sealing system has been extremely reliable and leaks are very uncommon You are now ready to ferment Note You can CIP clean in place the fermentor if you ...

Page 11: ... you re about to see the real benefit to a conical fermentor the ease of trub cold break and yeast removal for secondary fermentation or yeast harvesting and quick and sanitary removal of wort samples Typically cold break is removed just after wort chilling but prior to pitching the yeast allow time for settling to the bottom of the tank Remaining trub and flocculated yeast can be removed after pr...

Page 12: ...itizer a few minutes prior to installing the barbed fitting Allow the trub to pass first and collect the cream colored yeast A wide mouthed glass jar 8 16 oz works well If you have CO2 available purge the jar of oxygen before use With proper sanitization techniques yeast can be stored for 2 3 months and harvested up to 4 times in a typical homebrew environment Since you ll have plenty of yeast to ...

Page 13: ... prevent the CO2 gas from burping the beer out of your keg when the fermentor is empty Warning Do not exceed 3 PSI 6 ft of lift above the racking arm Do not tamper with or press on the pressure relief valve piston Do not leave the fermentor unattended during pumping Do not use loose whole hops wood chips grape skins or other similar material in the fermentor Use a hop or grain bag to prevent loose...

Page 14: ...sons However post press storage maturation is an excellent application for a conical After Use Cleaning and Storage After use rinse with hot water and completely disassemble the fermentor and fittings Remove any remaining Teflon tape and soak the fittings and seals in hot PBW solution or boil as in the sanitizing procedure Remember to remove the black vinyl grips from the valve handles Scrub the f...

Page 15: ...ure to follow cleaning and maintenance procedures and thread galling or breakage from over tightening or failure to use Teflon thread tape where instructed Blichmann Engineering is not responsible for incidental or consequential damage arising from use or misuse of this product This product is intended for home use only No warranty or guarantee of suitability express or implied is given for commer...

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