Fast Brewing is a company that is based in Toronto, Ontario. However, they manufacture their products in Michigan. They focus on creating products that are fast and efficient. Their FastFerment conical fermenter was created to make the process of fermentation quick and easy.
The FastFerment is designed to reduce the amount of work and time it takes to ferment a beer. It is also designed to keep your beer clean and without oxidation. They have done this by taking advance of gravity and implemented a system for easy tub removal. Today, we’re going to take a look at the FastFerment’s [month] model and see if it’s worth buying or not.
FastFerment Conical Fermenter: General Features
The main feature of the FastFerment is the removal trub bulb. This is located at the bottom of this conical fermenter that is separated by a valve that can be easily closed or opened. This removable bulb collects sediment while the beer ferments and allows you to discard it without disturbing the brew. To operate, keep the valve open during fermentation. This allows the sediment to settle into the bulb. When fermentation has finished close the valve, unscrew the bulb, and discard the trub.
This feature is very helpful. It allows you to transition into secondary fermentation without having to expose the brew to additional oxygen and risking contamination and/or off flavors. It also dramatically separates the sediment from the wort and produces very clear beer. Sanitize the bulb and place it back on the cone fermenter and let the process repeat.
At the top of the FastFerment is a 6-inch opening that makes cleaning a little easier and transferring less of a hassle. The screw-on lid also has an opening for a blow off valve. All of these features are unique to the FastFerment and make the process much easier than using a traditional carboy.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Produces clear beer
- Wall mounting system
- Primary and secondary fermentation
Any Shortfalls?
The plastic threading on the lid, valve, and trub bulb can also lower the integrity of a good seal. In some cases, the lower threading has been known to leak slowly, and the thread can also lose its fit over time.
The threading on the valve to the vessel and the threading of the bulb to the valve also run in the same direction. Because of this, you must be careful when removing the bulb as it might also loosen the valve to vessel. This could have been avoided if one of the sets of threads was reversed.
Cons
- Plastic
- Trub valve can become clogged
- Supports about 5-gallon batches
- Vessel is not completely smooth
FastFerment Conical Fermenter Reviews: The Bottom Line
It completely eliminates the need to transfer your beer from primary to secondary fermentation. This can take a lot of time and work, and it isn’t necessary when you can completely move the sediment from the beer. This method dramatically reduces the risk of oxygen contamination.
I would recommend the FastFerment to anyone struggling with managing their carboys. It is much lighter and reduces the number of required transfers. This will save you time and effort. It also comes at a very affordable price.
