How well does a conical dump the yeast from the bottom valve

KB

Using a 14 gallon conical for the first time. Want to dump the yeast as primary fermentation is finished. Place clean and sanitized 2L flask under the bottom valve and slowly open the valve. Thick yeast comes out. I keep the valve open until I'm seeing mostly beer. Guessing I've dumped all the yeast.

However...

Using the SS brew buckets for fermenting I've noticed quite a bit of yeast, etc clings to the sides of the cone. In a 14 conical I'm unable to see to the cone especially with a brown ale inside.

Does anyone know if the most of the yeast in a conical is dumped using the bottom valve or if, similar to the brew buckets, quite a bit still remains clinging to the sides of the cone?

Thanks.

Fal · Joined: 29 Dec 2014 Posts: 70

I use a 14 gallon SSbrewtech conical. I usually only get about 1 - 1.5 liters of yeast and trub. More on dry hopped or very hoppy beers. I think the steep angle compacts it more, so it seems like less.

**kal** · Last edited by kal on Tue Mar 20, 2018 2:14 pm; edited 2 times in total

tkdjim · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 4:07 pm Post subject:

yeah I had my brew in the SS Brew Bucket and I had did a 2nd pitch of yeast starter in it and then dry hopped 3oz of Citra Hops when I went to pull a sample to check the SG I got a couple of Hydrometer flasks of yeast and trub, but on the previous batch where I didn't have a OG of 1.064 and all that yeast/hops I got very little if any. So yes Kal is correct they are totally different than a conical.

Kazumichan · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 6:57 pm Post subject:

I have a 7 gallon stout conical(or that is what I was told it was). When I drop the yeast/trub out, the majority of it will come out, but there is still quite a bit stuck to the cone walls.

iBrewBeer · Joined: 21 Oct 2014 Posts: 87 Location: Western Springs, IL

I have a SS 1/2 bbl conical. Yeast dumps from the conical are easy so long as you have the proper hardware to collect what you want.

To Kal's point, it is cone shaped thus allowing gravity to do its work.

dp Brewing Company · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2018 3:02 pm Post subject:

I changed my ball valve to a butterfly valve. I was getting a stuck clump of yeast with the hole being so small on the 3/4" ball valve. No issues with the butterfly valve.

Mr Walleye · Joined: 23 Dec 2013 Posts: 71 Location: Ossining, NY

I have three different 14 gal conicals, A Blichman, a MoreBeer, and a SS Brewtech.

All three still hold come yeast/trub along the side, but must drops out the bottom.

I also agree with the butterfly valves and have upgraded all tho the butterfly valves.

I also will often use this little gizmo..

https://www.morebeer.com/products/conical-accessories-15-yeast-harvester.html?a_aid=theelectricbrewery

Really for two reasons -
1 - On occasion I harvest the yeast and this is a spendy yet awesome collection device.
I wait until the majority of the yeast has dropped into the harvester, remove rinse and repeat.

2 - But mostly it's because there is a beer geek hidden inside me. You can see what's happening at the bottom of the conical during fermentation. You actually can see the yeast doing it's work.

I think I have a couple of cool videos of both an ale and lager yeast at work - If I get the time in the next few days I'll try to post them.