Odd New Blichmann Fermenter

[jason.loxton]

So, there's this: https://www.blichmannengineering.com/products/cornical" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Huh.

Here's the commentary I wrote on an online video review (prices in USD):

I don't understand this product at all. You can get a SS Brewtech Chronical for $400 and used corny kegs are about $50. You'll need at least two kegs if you want to have beer consistently on tap (more if you're lagering or drinking rapidly). The base price for a Cornical is the same as A Chronical plus two kegs, but to have the same functionality as that combo, you'll to buy an extra keg, which adds another $175 to the price of the Cornical. For each keg you add to your system, the cost differential for the Cornical increases by about $100 ($175 vs. ~$50-75 a keg).

My other big concern is the design. Sure, it's nice not to have to transfer to a keg. But, if you're kegging you already have a CO2 tank and the lines required to transfer, so you don't need any extra gear. The biggest issue is that with a traditional conical fermenter the transfer process is sanitary and without exposure to oxygen. With the Cornical, not only is the finished beer exposed to the elements (and potential contamination) while you are putting the base on the keg, but the base traps what looks like at least a half gallon of air into the keg, which will be mixed in when you flip it over. The combination of cost, increase in dissolved oxygen, and increased risk of infection just don't seem to offset the slight decrease in effort from transferring to a keg.

I like the idea, and applaud Blichmann for the ingenuity, but this product seems to do a poorer job than the less expensive options that already exist.

[Jimmy]

Yeah, that product doesn't make sense to me. Just a money grab.