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About This Manual: 

 
 

This manual is for the F3-7, 14.5, and 27gal NPT models and optional leg extensions and casters.  If 
you purchased the optional 42gal modular extension for the 27gal model, or the complete 42gal model, 
you will have received a supplemental manual with the extension.  This manual is broken down into the 

following sections: 
 

Assembly:

 

Proper assembly procedures to ensure reliable, safe, leak-free operation of your 

Fermenator

TM

.  Be sure to read the sanitizing section before the first use your 

Fermenator

TM

 since most parts are sanitized before assembly.  We recommend an initial 

assembly to familiarize you with the process prior to your first use. 

 
Sanitation: 

  Steps to properly sanitize your fermentor before each use.  

 
Operation:

   Techniques to get the most out of your fermentor. 

 

Storage &

 

Get years of

 

service by properly maintaining and storing your fermentor. 

Maintenance 
 

 
IMPORTANT !! 
 

Warning: 

Sections labeled “Warning” can lead to serious injury or death if not followed.  Please 

read these thoroughly and understand them completely before use.  If you do not 
understand them or have any questions, contact your retailer or Blichmann Engineering 

(www.BlichmannEngineering.com) before use. 

 

Caution: 

Sections labeled “Caution” can 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 you are ready to use the 
fermentor for an actual brewing session, read the sanitizing procedures before assembling your 

FermenatorTM since many parts are sanitized before assembly.  Note that some of the components have 
not been pre-assembled at the factory to prevent shipping damage. 

 
Threaded fittings 

 
All threaded fittings must be sealed with Teflon

TM

 type pipe tape (recommended tape is in the back of 

this manual).  Wrap each threaded fitting with 4-6 layers of good quality tape, particularly the lead 
thread.  This will allow you to get a good seal without using excessive tightening force. Since you will not 
be sealing large pressures a “snug” fit is all that’s needed.  

 

Caution:

 Failure to use sealing tape, or over tightening, can cause thread galling (welding), which is not 

covered under warranty.  If you feel any grinding while tightening stop immediately as this galling the 
threads!  Threads, once galled, will not come apart!  The key to long thread life is not over tightening, 
and using an adequate amount of thread sealing tape.   

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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