TIP:
If you are connecting the Flex Chamber to a full X1 conical, it’s
important to understand some basic displacement concepts. The
empty Flex Chamber is filled with gas (oxygen) that will be sent
up through your beer. If this happens post fermentation it could
negatively impact the beer’s flavor. See below to learn how to use
your Flex Chamber side ports to flush with CO
2
.
COLLECTING & DUMPING TRUB WITH FLEX CHAMBER
The ability to remove trub and hop sediment is one of the key
advantages of a conical fermenter. With the butterfly valve open
and the Flex Chamber attached, trub separates directly into the Flex
Chamber, which can then be easily removed. Follow the process
outlined below.
1. If you are using the conical with the Pressure Pack lid, make sure
the entire conical system has been depressurized and that the
bottom butterfly valve is in the open position. For instructions
on releasing pressure see the section below titled “Releasing
Pressure”.
2. When you are sure the system has been depressurized, close the
butterfly valve at the bottom of the conical.
3. Place a bowl or small bucket below the Flex Chamber to collect
drips and un-clamp the Flex Chamber from the butterfly valve.
FLUSHING THE FLEX CHAMBER WITH CO
2
An optional step is to flush your Flex Chamber with CO
2
prior to
attaching it. This will help eliminate oxygen from the Flex Chamber.
You can easily do this by attaching a ball lock adapter (Part# KG500)
to one of the threaded side ports. Here’s how to effectively flush
the Flex Chamber with CO
2
.
1. Soak or spray the Flex Chamber and all parts — caps, gaskets,
clamps, etc. — with sanitizer prior to assembling and attaching it to
your conical dump port.
2. Attach the Flex Chamber to the bottom of the butterfly valve,
keeping the butterfly valve closed. Remove one black side cap
and install the KG500 ball lock adapter. Slightly loosen the other
black cap on the opposite side of the Flex Chamber so that CO
2
can escape while flushing.
3. Set the regulator on your CO
2
tank to its lowest possible setting,
i.e. 1–2 psi, and connect your Ball Lock Gas QD to the KG500 ball
lock adapter.
4. Allow gas to flow out of the Flex Chamber for a few seconds to
ensure all the oxygen has been flushed. Tighten the black cap.
You can replace the KG500 with the black cap or leave it in place
for fermentation.
Pressure Package
If sealed, the fermenter can be pressurized due to the production of
CO
2
in fermentation or the introduction of compressed gas. When
the Fermenter is pressurized, incorrect use can lead to a risk of the
lid or fittings being launched with great force and causing serious
injury or death. To reduce this risk, follow these precautions to
safely pressurize and release pressure, and to prevent unintentional
pressurization:
•
Before removing the lid clamp, TC (Tri-Clamp) fittings, or
accessories, release all pressure by opening the Pressure Relief
Valve (PRV) .
•
Do not overfill your conical past the maximum volumes listed
below. Overfilling can cause fermentation material called
Krausen to clog the blow off and airlock.
•
Do not place pellet hops, whole hops, oak chips, or other items
insulation and an AC unit. The downside of these options is they
require more space and take longer to cool since it’s cooling the
fermenting wort from the outside in. Either way, your BrewBuilt
Conical comes with a Thermowell that allows you to insert the
temperature probe from a temp controller, which will monitor your
fermentation temp and power on the fridge or AC unit whenever
chilling is needed.
For the ultimate in fermentation temperature control, upgrade
to a BrewBuilt CoolStix & Neoprene jacket along with a BrewBuilt
IceMaster Glycol Chiller. Learn more about using a CoolStix in the
X1+ section at the end of this manual.
DUMPING YEAST AND TRUB —
One of the biggest benefits
of a Conical Fermenter is the ability to dump yeast & trub from the
bottom port. This couldn’t be easier with the 2” TC Butterfly Valve
on the bottom of your conical. Another added advantage is being
able to harvest your yeast for use in future batches. Regardless of
whether you’re dumping trub, hops, or yeast, you will want to guide
that slurry into a drain or receiving vessel like a bucket or jar. Be sure
to spray the Butterfly Valve down with sanitizer prior to dumping.
Also, keep in mind that you will need to open one of the ports on
the top of the conical to allow air to replace the liquid that is flowing
out the bottom. Another option is the BrewBuilt Flex Chamber that
connects to the bottom of the conical and allows you to collect and
dump yeast and trub. Learn more about using the Flex Chamber in
the X1+ section of this manual.
TRANSFERRING FINISHED BEER —
Racking your beer with
the sample port is as easy as hooking up some sanitized tubing and
opening the valve. Remember that you will need to either open
one of the ports on the top of the conical to allow air to replace
the liquid that is flowing out. To transfer out of your X1 using CO
2
pressure see the section under Pressure Package below.
The Flex Chamber
•
When the optional BrewBuilt Flex Chamber is installed always
keep the bottom butterfly valve open, allowing CO
2
to be
released. Failure to keep the valve open could cause the Flex
Chamber to become over pressurized and explode. When
you are ready to remove the Flex Chamber, depressurize the
system with the butterfly valve open. This allows any pressure
to also leave the Flex Chamber. After relieving all pressure in
the system you can close the butterfly valve and safely remove
the Flex Chamber.
The Flex Chamber is designed specifically for
use with a BrewBuilt X1 conical Fermenter.
It attaches directly to the 2" butterfly dump
valve and can be used for removing trub,
harvesting yeast, and many other tasks.
PREPARING YOUR FLEX CHAMBER FOR
USE EACH TIME
1. Soak or spray the Flex Chamber and all parts with sanitizer
prior to assembling and attaching it to your conical dump port.
2. Assemble your Flex Chamber by attaching the lid and threading the
caps onto the threaded ports on each side.
3. Spray sanitizer into the closed butterfly valve on your conical
dump port as well as the top of the Flex Chamber and its TC
gasket. Fasten the Flex Chamber to the butterfly valve with a 2”
TC clamp.
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