A Kegmenter Review: It's both a Keg and a Fermenter. Plus, the FlotIT 2.0.

[@anthonysamuel4790]

Love the look of this. Plastic fermentation has been my way for five years but this ticks more boxes.

[@MoreBeer_]

We love the versatility of the Kegmenter. Awesome video!

[@qh4007]

Seams like a great choice, especially for small footprint temp control. Thanks again

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Was one of my main reasons for finally buying one.

[@59apachestepside]

Great points Larry. All the same reasons I’ve preferred fermenting in sankey kegs. Being a welder, I’ve opted for making my own versions utilizing 6” tri clamp ports on top that allow for even easier cleaning and additional room for top port accessories. Kegland also sells a little plastic floating dip tube screen that works really well and is cheap. They also sell a 31 gallon size kegmenter as well that’s somewhat harder to come by.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Excellent. Most of us aren't welders, so this makes a great option for people like me. A 6" port would have been nice for access and accessories like you said. I don't think many fermenter manufacturers go for that because it might lower the max pressure rating somewhat which would impact their marketing. I looked at their new tall 31 gal version. It's huge (and heavy when full). Looks like it is specifically designed for distillation due to the two 2" ports they added to the bottom of it.

[@marklpaulick]

Man Larry… I’ve been watching your videos for years and I’m finally realizing IM JUST LIKE YOU! I have all the same gripes you do. We’ve been in similar brewing journeys! I also had a CF 10 (I’m trying sell actually) and now ferment in kegmenters exclusively because it’s just so much simpler! And easier to clean! I’ve also gone from 5 to 10 gallons, I love the flotit for all the same reasons.. and now I’m getting into BBQ! Haha! You’ve totally earned my trust 👍🏻. My thoughts - I like having two 7 gal kegmenters because the weight is easier to deal with and like you said split batches are fun. One downside worth mentioning is it can be hard to know your volumes inside this thing, so a good scale with a huge capacity is key for getting volumes accurately. Thanks Larry!

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

You’re very welcome. I do love simplicity and not working harder than I need to.

[@KegLand]

Thanks Larry. We really appreciate the video review!

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

You’re welcome!

[@premekkohout885]

Have made myself the same. But I have used a 8” lid instead. Then I have a 2” mount to connect Kegland hop bong for oxygen free dry hop. Work like a charm.

[@MaryBrownForFreedom]

I clean my Spike conicals with a pump and there cleaning ball. Then wash the small parts by hand and the underside of the lid by hand. Mine are on the wheels so I just roll them to the bathroom shower. Fill with PBW and water, let the ball washer run 30 minutes, drain that into a 5 gallon bucket for the small parts to soak. Open the bottom yeast dump port and rinse it as it drains into the shower thru a piece of PVC pipe I slip fit on it with a rubber coupler. Yes more pieces and parts but they work really well! And are great for collecting and reusing yeast 2-3 times! I have 3 CF-10's, 2 are doing ales right now, 1 has a lager in it lagering in my 55 degree pantry. I will make 2 more lager batches this winter, keg them and park them in the pantry that stays cool year round. I like a lager after mowing, something lighter/cleaner/crisper in flavor... and friends like them too! 2 friends refuse to even try ales, they are to used to drinking Bud or Miller swill beer LOL

[@tonytribisonna9886]

I love using my 29 litre keg fermenter here in Australia they have been around for a while. They a really nice for pressure fermenting easy to clean like you said. They built to last very durable only negative thing about them is they are little heavier than other fermenters but that’s not a big issue. Good review.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Right. Good thing it has great carry handles, eh?

[@stanleygrover1685]

I have been using stainless steel beer stuff for making meads and red wines .10 gallon batches!

[@kaiser_sose]

I was Jonesing one of those, but went the ghetto method. A Fermonster with the pressure lid hack. Yes, I admit it. I'm cheap (can we call it the more friendly "frugal") 😊 I do like the visibility plastic gives you, but you're right about stands fitting in fermentation chambers. At least my Fermonster fits.

[@davidthreechinsbrewing6193]

Great review. I'm in Australia and Kegland sell them in 118L or 31 gallon now too.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Wow! That is a huge kegmenter! Likely immovable, eh.

[@davidthreechinsbrewing6193]

@BEER-N-BBQ by Larry yeah I'll be running a few this year, they will be housed in a rapt fermentation chamber sold by Kegland, wort will be pumped directly into them and pressure transferred into kegs as they sit it the chamber as they definitely won't be getting moved about haha.

[@williamfarmer7906]

Hey Larry I loved your video I have been using a kegmenter for years and I love it. I also need to get that filter because with hoppy beers I ran into clogging issues. Thanks for the great video!

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

It’s a great combination.

[@garagebrewingsince2020]

Cheers and Success in 2023. I think this is one the best fermenters on the planet 🍺🍺🍺

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Me too. 😀

[@brewing8094]

Good video Larry, I'm using a 13gallon/50L Kegmenter 👌🍺, a few tricks of mine, clean and sanitize the Kegmenter and place empty in the Kegerator/Keezer and I wheel my Grainfather G40 on a trolley over to the Keezer and pump straight through the counterflow chiller into Kegmenter saves the back lifting 👌🍺. With pressure brewing quick Lager's I just leave the yeast on the bottom and the floating dip tube assembly picks up the clear beer 🍺 from the top👌🍺🍺🍺.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Good idea. I've been using a trolley to hold the kegmenter and wheel it over to the fridge after filling it from the kettle and slide it into the fridge.

[@BenhamBrewing]

Well done sir! I do all my fermenting in either corny kegs (for pressure), or a 15 gal Spiedel (plastic). I have been eyeballing a pressure capable conical for years, but can't get over the sticker shock, and the fact that i can't fit them in my fermentation fridge. THIS is a great option that I will def be looking into. Also, +1 for the Flotit 2.0. Big shoutout to @TrongNguyen-yi6qk for making those floating dip tubes. They are indeed AWSOME!

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

I have yet to find a better pressure fermenter than this.

[@cooperberkley9089]

Have had one of these(7.5gal) for about 6 months it is incredible! Also have a keezer set up for temp control and 20lb co2 so transfers don't exhaust that. Can do everything a unitank must do. Will likely get another one when budget allows.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

"Can do everything a unitank MUST do.". EXACTLY! It does everything a much more expense unitank MUST do at a much cheaper price point which is to hold ~11 gallons of wort under optional pressure while it ferments. All the other stuff unitanks CAN do is unnecessary; i.e. dump valves.

[@jamesgodfrey1729]

Great review Larry. Cheers from northern Michigan

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

I was just out drinking northern Michigan wines last night at a tasting room here in Illinois.

[@digitalbilly]

Larry your videos are super helpful. Thanks. I learn a lot from your videos. Thanks A+++++

[@kevinfidler8074]

I use 2 sanke kegs as fermenters, #11 rubber stopper allows an airlock

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Do you pressure ferment with them too?

[@kevinfidler8074]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY no, I've never pressure fermented. Something else I do since I make 20 gallon batches and keg is I add dme simple syrup to the 4 corny kegs before adding the beer, then purge any oxygen out with co2. Allows for long term storage in kegs.

[@stanleygrover1685]

Good clean flow tip!

[@scottcarr9985]

I totally agree I have the exact same keg doing the same thing and wish I could sell three quarters of my learning curve equipment (so does my wife) thanks for all your videos but this one especially! right on . I also have a 10 gallon torpedo keg that I do the same thing with. However I don't have a flotit 2.0 so I need to look into that.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

You’re welcome! I’d have done things differently knowing what I know now too. I looked into the torpedo keg too but went with 13.2 Kegmenter because of the additional available head space it provides.

[@gardencity3558]

Funny it's the same price in Canadian dollars. Will probably grab one. Thanks for this Larry!

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Right on!

[@Joshua_Dalzelle]

Great vid! I’ve been thinking about buying a couple torpedo kegs to ferment in but this is a ready-made option.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

I compared torpedos with this and obviously decided on this. The decision maker was the extra head space available so I can actually get 10 gallon of finished beer into corny kegs.

[@kobrewing]

I ferment in a 10.1 g Torpedo keg and love it. The neat thing with the regular corny lid go can hang hop bags with dental floss at the start of fermentation and then just pull one end of the floss when it's time to dry hop. As long as you use keg lube it always seals and pulling the floss has never failed me. You can also use the gas post to turn on a CO2 tank when you pop the lid to keep O2 out while adding hops or anything. I also cut the dip tube 1" and drilled out a SS dry hopper to put my dip tube through. It acts as a filter when making transfers and works better than the inline filters I've used before.

[@antamanouch]

Thanks for the video. Seems like a good item to start with for someone wanting to get into brewing. Or maybe a 5 gallon keg to start off smaller. But anyways the keg seems to be the easier and more versatile option.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Only problem with using 5 gal corny kegs is you need to brew smaller than 5 gal batches for them.

[@antamanouch]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY Would I be able to ferment in the kegmenter and then keep everything in there without racking to something else when the fermentation is done and just serve up my beers through the keg?

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

@@antamanouch I wouldn’t. The sediment will eventually cause off flavors as well as fill up several initial pints when tapping it.

[@kratomseeker5258]

that thing is awesome. if i brewed enough i would get one.

IA have 29l one. After 2 years gasket started to leak, and I can't find the same-black-gasket replacment for it. So now I am unable to pressure ferment and use ton of co2 to get the beer out of it. But still prefer it to most other fermenters.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Just buy regular silicone gaskets. That’s what I did when the included one somehow enlarged itself.

[@greentom9189]

Price is a killer! Corny kegs work nice too. I use them for pressure fermentation and serving. It has worked extremely well for me.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

It does seem a lot, but it is cheaper than other options available. I've done the math. It is way cheaper than buying an equivalent conical tank and the glycol chilling equipment required for a ten gallon batch, and it's even cheaper than buying three corny kegs (with a spunding valve for each) to get the same final packaged beer volume as you can get out of a single 13.2/15.3 gal Kegmenter.

[@MaryBrownForFreedom]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY My Glycol chiller is an old portable air conditioner(type you run a hose to a window) with the temp sensor rigged to make it cool lower in temp. I can get it down to 40f to help yeast drop out or run it at 50-60f for fermenting. My cost was haul it out of a friends house.

[@greentom9189]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY I hear ya. I just have an Anvil 10.5 gal system that I brew a smaller 4.5 gal batch that I ferment under pressure at room temp and then serve out of it. Sometimes I will make a 9 gal batch at a higher gravity than my target to get it to fit in the Anvil and then dilute the wort with boiled water after the boil to get it down to the desired gravity and do a split batch between two corny kegs. Anyway, you have a great channel and enjoy watching and learning from you. Thank you for all your great content! Cheers!

[@PetraKann]

In Australia, I have two old stainless beer kegs that are 50L each (11 Imperial Gallons). Looking at the price of the kegmenter in this video ($299 US) I think welding as 4" triclover ring and buying a few fittings may be worth while. The great thing about commercial stainless kegs is their durability.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

The adaptability of having a 4" TC port is one of its strengths for sure. I have yet to investigate further 4" TC fitting options for things like including a thermowell for example.

[@s2561828]

This is actually an Australian designed product from Kegland, I think they are about $300 AUD from them.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

@@s2561828 yes, designed by Kegland, but they’re likely made in China like their other gear.

[@davewebb8777]

Thenks for short and highly informative video. It really helps! How do you deal with sediment of hops and yeast in this kegmenter? FermZilla has a cone bottom from where all this sediment can be easiliy removed by detaching a dedicated container.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

You leave it behind in the keg when you rack out of it. Despite the ever lingering myth that you need to dump trub during fermentation, you do not need to if performing a standard fermentation of 2-3 weeks or less.

[@davewebb8777]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY thanks again 👍

[@fachu2]

I am also using Kegmenters after a series of infections in my plastic fermenters and after speaking to a professional brewer who said its almost impossible to get rid of an infection from plastic once it happens. I have the Small and large version, my only gripe is that pills such as Brewbrain and RAPT are a bit hit and miss wrapped in Stainless steal. RAPT is best but has to be WiFi Bluetooth will not work.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Bummer on the infections. I don’t bother with in-fermenter SG gadgets, so I never considered that drawback. Perhaps switching to something like the PLAATO Airlock will still give you the ability to monitor SG during fermentation.

[@aasiaasi]

and there's a dozen different options to modify this thing with the universal tri-clamp system. I have a 4" TC -> 1.5" TC + Ball lock in mine. I have liquid out in the ball lock and a hop dropper + spundit in the 1.5" TC

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Sure can. Perhaps there could be a part two to this topic; expandibilities. Even distillation.

[@em0t1ve]

How did you make the blow off valve? That's exactly what I'm looking for and does it stop suck back?

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

In this video, it is the FLOTiT 2.0.

[@stephenmullan7969]

Hi Larry,can you please tell me where I can buy the spunding blow off valve and airlock you are using on your kegmentor please? I’ve just purchased the 58 litre kegmentor.and need some help, I’m in the UK,thanks in advance,Stephen.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

@@stephenmullan7969 they are Spundit2.0 and Floatit by Homebrew labs

[@braufritze8673]

Thanks for the review. Would you use the keg with the kegland Glykol coil? I heard it's possible by the manufacturer... Cheers!

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

No. No need. It fits inside my temperature controlled fridge-turned-fermentation chamber where I can supply both heat and cold to maintain a desired temperature year round without the mess and noise of glycol chiller that only chills not heats.

[@braufritze8673]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY ok, I just have limited space and a Glykol chiller already, that's why I was asking ;]

[@robaxelsson530]

It can also be used as a still with a 4” clamp and 2” tower

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

I’ve thought about that as well. But, without drilling holes in it for an element, I’d have to use gas which for me means manual temperature control. I’d probably just use my Grainfather instead.

[@LouB3rt]

Hey Larry, have you ever tried to attach separate piping/attachments to the tri-clamp? As in being able to dry hop while also pressure fermenting? My idea would be to use a Y joint. I guess my two concerns would be the pressure and depressurizing along with the floating dip tube getting clogged due to the dry hops if not cold crashing. I am about to purchase a similar version of this, but in a 5 gallon keg.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

I don't have any other attachments for the 4" opening. I likely won't either since I wouldn't have access to the top due to the extra height something like a dry hop port would add to the inside of my short fridge/fermentchamberator. But, if I had a taller fridge, sure. I'd consider something like that.

[@LouB3rt]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY definitely, I didn’t think about the height of a spunding valve and the hop dropper. It would probably barely fit in a regular sized fridge let alone a kegerator. Keep up the great content 🍻

[@MrRhino12667]

Two Words: Sparkling Wine.

[@vaidassuopys4295]

Hi, i just tried to ferment under pressure, my spundle valve reached only 7 psi, how long would take time,to ferment lager, to be on safe side? Thank You!

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

@@vaidassuopys4295 sounds like you may have a leak. The pressure doesn’t impact time to ferment (assuming a constant temperature); only that you can fermenter at a warmer temperature which allows for a faster fermentation.

[@vaidassuopys4295]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY thank You for reply, so for faster fermentation of lager i need more temperature and pressure? That 7 psi stays constant, maybe yeast power is not able to rise up more pressure? I have achieved very tasty lagers normal way,this is just my new try with fermentation under pressure🙂

[@ElementaryBrewingCo]

Looks great!! I love fermenters that hold pressure and have a floating dip tube! Do they make a lid with extra ports for things like a thermowell?

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

That's another beautiful thing about it. You can buy and attach any number of various 4" TC lids, adapters, etc.

[@beaverbeliever33]

Can the flotit 2.0 be used in a sanke keg? The float for my dip tube is just too large at 2" diameter.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

I don’t know. I don’t have a Sanke keg to check.

[@jcinsaniac]

I love these, but I so love seeing fermentation occur...the whole process...I'd miss my clear fermenters. How's the diameter? My lil' fridge I use needs 14" and smaller fermenters to fit! (It looks like you're using an ex-kegmenter which is a luxury...soo jelly.) I'd use to ferment and serve lagers nearly exclusively. I'll admit I have looked at the half size kegmenters many, many times... someday...Cheers!

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

That fridge is too narrow. The numbers I got from MoreBeer/Kegland are 15.63" Dia for the 7.6 Gal, 16.08" Dia for the 13.2 gal, and 15.63" Dia for the 15.3 Gal. Not watching fermentation is a bummer because I too like watching the wort and yeast dance together. It's mesmerizing. However, I accept that trade off for all the advantages it gives me.

[@fixmekanik5477]

Just wonder why this big kegmentor have only 36 psi capability to endure pressure...?is it any adjustment for this...compared with corny keg 130 psi?

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

I think my corny keg PRVs are also limited to 35 psi. And most pressure fermenters are linked to only 15 psi.

[@carleizenga5281]

how do you get the 2.0 flotit divice

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

He sold them on eBay in the past, but now there’s an Amazon link: amzn.to/3H6giDv

[@OldNorsebrewery]

It have a 4" ferrule. I can´t get my hand in there. I looked at this but I made my own with a 6" ferrule that I can get my hand and arm to wash it

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

I had the same concern originally, but for me ended up being a nonissue.

[@stevegarza4327]

How come you don’t play your blues music at the beginning anymore. Sincerely big fan

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Analytics show that people the skip intros. Tried a couple variant intros over the years and results were still the same.

[@miked.9364]

outrageous price. I'll stick to my sanke keg which does the same thing and only cost me 70 bucks.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

It does seem a lot, but it is cheaper than other options available when buying new. I've done the math. It is way cheaper than buying an equivalent conical tank and the glycol chilling equipment required for a ten gallon batch, and it's even cheaper than buying three corny kegs (with a spunding valve for each) to get the same final packaged beer volume as you can get out of a single 13.2/15.3 gal Kegmenter.

[@miked.9364]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY IDK Larry, how many homebrewers brew in 13/15 gallon batches? Me personally, all I did was get a Ball Lock Adapter Tapping Head for Sanke Kegs for 35$ and now I can do what you are doing with any of my sanke kegs.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

@@miked.9364 I was only referring to final 10 gallon packaged batches like what I do. You need additional headspace in them to account for fermenter losses and for krausen to avoid clogging the disconnect post. So the choice for me was either settle for smaller batch sizes or get a slightly larger fermenter.

[@SchmegmaOnToast]

Yep, my thoughts exactly. If I was dropping that kind of money for something similar, I would rather get Clawhammer Supply's own kegmentor. I haven't had the best experience with the quality of Keglands' products.