There something to be said of the old plastic bucket😅. Although this looks like a great kit, until they redesign the lid and sealing method , I'll pass. Great video and information Larry.
Good Morning from Tasmania Australia Larry, 12:40AM here, it is Autumn down here and beginning to get cold. I've heard a lot of stories about these seals not sealing too and for the money you have to pay it really isn't good enough, you really shouldn't have to go through all this. This is why I just stick with a PET plastic 60L Fermzilla, yes the steel ring they sit on is a pain, they don't look professional like a stainless steel ones, they are made in, yes, you guessed it, Chyyyyna, but I've never had any issues with mine, they hold pressure and get the job done every single time. Cheers🍺🍺
I'm currently water testing my 14 gallon X2. I've got 13 gallons and I've had 1lb drop in pressure in 45 minutes so far. No bubbles, spraying dawn mix on connections. I had to tef tape the small caps on flex chamber. I used a lube on my lid gasket. Had issues with the flaring on the dip tubes. After tightening, I found my dip tubes o rings popped up above the flare and into the spring. I switched posts and poppets with my corny keg, they have shorter poppet springs, that fixed the problem with the post leak. My corny keg didn't have any issues with the switched posts, so I really think it is the flares on the dip tubes. FYI, Amsoil has food grade grease, if you have an account, it's $15 for a 14oz grease gun tube.
Hi I am planning on buying one but the pressure dropping problem have me worried .With the price drop they are a good deal but this is really concerning. Did yours worked or has the pressure remained stable. Thanks
@milofer96 was always a wildcard for me. Could not depend on it. However they seemed to have heeded my advice because their new X3 uses a proper flange interface.
@@milofer96 I'm not having Lid pressure issues, just the issues with the o rings on the dip tubes. I'm also used to dealing with that kind of clamp on pool filters. Rubber mallet really does work when tightening the clamp.
Since I switched my pressure pack connection posts out with one of my Corny keg posts, I haven't had any pressure issues. They are a good deal right now. To me, I'm retired, so I don't mind taking the time getting the clamp just right.
Some suggestions, after my first batch. When initially pressure testing, just use CO2, water absorbs your CO2 and it takes too long to pressure test. Don't use any lube when initially installing the lid gasket, you'll never get it in, follow Larry's suggestion to install. After getting the lid gasket in, caulk the inside gasket seam solid with keg lube. You can run your finger on it and spread it, just make it look like it was caulked. Don't put any on the rim of the x2. I centered my lid and clamped it down, using the rubber mallet, like Larry suggested. The gap on my clamp was 5/16, never had any leaks when following this. I took my beer down to 48°, from a 95° Kveik fermentation at 10 psi, without any leaks. Went from 1.050 to 1.010, in less than 24 hours. Finishing crashing in my kegs with gelatin right now.
My Spike Flex does pretty well but still has shown itself to have a slow leak at times. I do recall a similar issue with the CF10 a while back too. It’s just a flaw of the v clamp being misapplied to home brewing fermenters.
What worked for me - I bought a brass air quick disconnect to Barb adapter. Slipped on some beverage tubing with a gas ball lock at the end. Now you can use dry compressed air to do dozens of tests for little to no cost. My 38 gallon jacketed x2 held at 12 psi for the last week measured on a spike brewing all in one PRV.
Thanks. I tried that too. Was the first thing I tried. The problem is the v clamps. They fit too loose and do not compress the gasket much on this system.
Thanks for this video, great job. I have an x1pro with the same v clamp. I have not had issues with leaks yet after a few fermentations but i did realize i was never sent the liquid side diptube on mine either! Im considering the x2 but its odd they have these clamp issues since its the same design as the x1. I think ill just use my x1 for now with a coolstix installed. The x1pro is a nice idea but it uses a lot of energy and has some trouble keeping temp within 3 or 4 degrees of set point during peak fermentation.
More parts means more complexity to manage. The upside is that with the cooling jacket built in, pressure fermentation isn’t as important if using a chiller. However, unless it can hold pressure, it’s not really a unitank.
Hey Larry. Thanks for the great tips. I called MoreBeer Customer Support today and it sounds like it could take months to get a replacement clamp. I noticed the same thing with the clamp that you did and was planning to get out the Dremel and cut a little bit out. Can you share what your're using as a quick disconnect on the coolant lines for the jacket? I don't recognize the fittings that appear briefly in your video.
Great tips Larry, these are useful for troubleshooting! While I haven't experienced the pressure loss issues you have the v band clamp problems are the case for me as well, and I was also missing parts to the pressure pack! Lots of stuff to consider with these
It’s becoming a common complaint I’ve been hearing. Is unfortunate because otherwise, it’s a decent conical fermenter.; not a unitank as advertised because it can’t be used to carbonate.
Great VIdya Larry. New products need to be put through their paces. Repeatability in the production of equipment used to brew beer equates to repeatability and consistency brewing beer. I made a comment on another vidya, ironically of a similar device, not long ago that design software like Autodesk and Solidworks can give great insight into how well the product is built and possible interferences, but offers very little if anything to the capacity of the equipment to perform as designed. It seems the more complex we get with these vessels, the more room for malfunction is afforded. Cheers Buddy.
Very excited. Yeah, I definitely raised the issue a number of times with them, but I wasn’t the only one from what I’ve heard. They offered to replace my X2 a year ago once the improved V-clamp free X3 was released. I sent them a reminder about that yesterday. I’ll see if they honor it.
@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY Oh awesome. I'm certain they will, given how much valuable testing you did with the X2. And after they do I'll be looking for your in-depth review on it. For my money, I think that unit checks all the boxes now for a jacketed unitank. Keep up the great work Larry and thanks for the response!
Same lid sealing problem. mine will seal(-ish) one out of ever 10-15 attempts (and by seal I mean will hold more than 1 psi at least for a few minutes). How much do you recommend cutting off of the band?
Just an update - received a new v-clamp from Brew Built. The new v-clamp has a substantially smaller diameter than the old one. Snugged the new clamp up and my 7g x2 is now holding pressure on the first try! I'll report back if I experience further issues.
I had similar issues with the brewbuilt X2. I received a replacement fermenter after a replacement lid and Clamp. The 3rd Clamp was much better than the first two. Get a big rubber mallet. You can also compress the "C" shape of the Clamp. Also put some silicone grease on the o-ring and on the thread. My X2 is finally working great!
It may have been noted by now, but there is no savings of CO2 by filling with water. By the time you get all the CO2 dissolved into the beer, so that more solution doesn't drop your headspace pressure, there's exactly the same amount of CO2 in the fermenter as if it had no water in it. Best to just use compressed air in an empty tank.
Decided to check mine because I had not used it yet and yup! It’s leaking on the Vclamp… I also was missing the beverage tube but had one from kegland … trying the rubber mallet
Really?! Not surprised by the leak but also missing the dip tube too, eh? Hmmm. Seems to becoming a pattern. What size fermenter do you have? Thanks for the feedback.
@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY Yup missing that same part, as soon as you mentioned that in your video I went and checked because I didn’t remember assembling or seeing that piece, So I tightened everything up and added the tube, I have the non jacketed 7 gallon fermenter, I already purchased an extra gasket and lid because I upgraded my lid to the X2 lid … both leak … I’m buying the Brewtools Unitank and just gonna use the Brewbuilt in my fermentation Fridge… Lotta money to spend for that kind of design flaw … totally disappointed… would not have known until brew day if I wouldn’t have watched your video … Brew day is today! So thanks! 😂
@@snackhack9021 Ouch. Sorry to hear about your troubles too. At least you didn’t have to experience it on a real batch like I did. I had to keep pumping CO2 into mine just to maintain positive pressure near the end of fermentation. Glad this video helped you.
@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY Called customer support and they are phenomenal! Sent out a new clamp, lid and dip tube the same day and I am living in France … for anyone that’s reading this later … More Beer is a great company to deal with …. But I would still say … get Brewtools if you have the budget, or Kegmenter if you don’t … and last but not least … grab a used corny keg and Spunding valve from Kegland … you will be better off …
Good to know I'm always afraid of the first issue.let them work the bugs out! Yesterday I brewed a red beer I named raymond reddington red (the black list) it's happy and holding pressure in my 13 gallon keg. I am still interested in the x2 . How's the stability when full with the four legs? That's the one deal breaker with me and the spike cf15 I wanted. Anyway as always good video. Thanks for being unbiased. I know the frustration beer in a fermenter then realizing problems . Darn it darn it darn it!
Thanks for the tips Larry! I have a couple Spike Flex+ fermenters and love them. Regarding the stabilized pressure (i.e. when you mention that it stabilized at 8PSI) - the drop, as I understand it, doesn't necessarily have to do with leakage so much as CO2 being absorbed into the liquid. This happens during pressure ferments and while it happens at a slower rate with "warm" (i.e. room temperature) liquids, it still can occur. Was this considered when you were seeing that pressure drop after you fixed your initial leak?
There something to be said of the old plastic bucket😅. Although this looks like a great kit, until they redesign the lid and sealing method , I'll pass. Great video and information Larry.
Good advice Larry
I use a 10 gallon pop top like a corny keg but bigger. Less things to go wrong.
Good Morning from Tasmania Australia Larry, 12:40AM here, it is Autumn down here and beginning to get cold. I've heard a lot of stories about these seals not sealing too and for the money you have to pay it really isn't good enough, you really shouldn't have to go through all this. This is why I just stick with a PET plastic 60L Fermzilla, yes the steel ring they sit on is a pain, they don't look professional like a stainless steel ones, they are made in, yes, you guessed it, Chyyyyna, but I've never had any issues with mine, they hold pressure and get the job done every single time. Cheers🍺🍺
Good looking out Larry!
I'm currently water testing my 14 gallon X2. I've got 13 gallons and I've had 1lb drop in pressure in 45 minutes so far. No bubbles, spraying dawn mix on connections. I had to tef tape the small caps on flex chamber. I used a lube on my lid gasket. Had issues with the flaring on the dip tubes. After tightening, I found my dip tubes o rings popped up above the flare and into the spring. I switched posts and poppets with my corny keg, they have shorter poppet springs, that fixed the problem with the post leak. My corny keg didn't have any issues with the switched posts, so I really think it is the flares on the dip tubes.
FYI, Amsoil has food grade grease, if you have an account, it's $15 for a 14oz grease gun tube.
Hi I am planning on buying one but the pressure dropping problem have me worried .With the price drop they are a good deal but this is really concerning. Did yours worked or has the pressure remained stable. Thanks
@milofer96 was always a wildcard for me. Could not depend on it. However they seemed to have heeded my advice because their new X3 uses a proper flange interface.
@@milofer96 I'm not having Lid pressure issues, just the issues with the o rings on the dip tubes.
I'm also used to dealing with that kind of clamp on pool filters.
Rubber mallet really does work when tightening the clamp.
Since I switched my pressure pack connection posts out with one of my Corny keg posts, I haven't had any pressure issues. They are a good deal right now. To me, I'm retired, so I don't mind taking the time getting the clamp just right.
Some suggestions, after my first batch. When initially pressure testing, just use CO2, water absorbs your CO2 and it takes too long to pressure test. Don't use any lube when initially installing the lid gasket, you'll never get it in, follow Larry's suggestion to install.
After getting the lid gasket in, caulk the inside gasket seam solid with keg lube. You can run your finger on it and spread it, just make it look like it was caulked. Don't put any on the rim of the x2. I centered my lid and clamped it down, using the rubber mallet, like Larry suggested.
The gap on my clamp was 5/16, never had any leaks when following this.
I took my beer down to 48°, from a 95° Kveik fermentation at 10 psi, without any leaks. Went from 1.050 to 1.010, in less than 24 hours. Finishing crashing in my kegs with gelatin right now.
I’m still torn between the X2 and the BrewTools. My Spike with the same lid clamp has been solid.
My Spike Flex does pretty well but still has shown itself to have a slow leak at times.
I do recall a similar issue with the CF10 a while back too.
It’s just a flaw of the v clamp being misapplied to home brewing fermenters.
There is no comparison between BrewBuilt and BrewTools. Buy once, cry once - get the BrewTools.
@@SteveBenson I’m leaning that way!
@@SteveBenson I’m for sure going Brewtools!
What worked for me - I bought a brass air quick disconnect to Barb adapter. Slipped on some beverage tubing with a gas ball lock at the end. Now you can use dry compressed air to do dozens of tests for little to no cost. My 38 gallon jacketed x2 held at 12 psi for the last week measured on a spike brewing all in one PRV.
A food safe lube/keg lube on the lid gasket has served me well. I’ve had my Spike Flex+ at 10psi for over 4 weeks now.
Thanks. I tried that too. Was the first thing I tried. The problem is the v clamps. They fit too loose and do not compress the gasket much on this system.
Seriously thank you! I've had a leaking tri-clamp valve and you video showed me it was because I was missing the dip tube in the gas post!!!!!
Ha! Wow. Glad it helped you figure that out.
Thanks for this video, great job. I have an x1pro with the same v clamp. I have not had issues with leaks yet after a few fermentations but i did realize i was never sent the liquid side diptube on mine either! Im considering the x2 but its odd they have these clamp issues since its the same design as the x1. I think ill just use my x1 for now with a coolstix installed. The x1pro is a nice idea but it uses a lot of energy and has some trouble keeping temp within 3 or 4 degrees of set point during peak fermentation.
That's a lot of anxiety to have with such an expensive piece of kit
More parts means more complexity to manage. The upside is that with the cooling jacket built in, pressure fermentation isn’t as important if using a chiller. However, unless it can hold pressure, it’s not really a unitank.
@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY hope it works out for you
Hey Larry. Thanks for the great tips. I called MoreBeer Customer Support today and it sounds like it could take months to get a replacement clamp. I noticed the same thing with the clamp that you did and was planning to get out the Dremel and cut a little bit out. Can you share what your're using as a quick disconnect on the coolant lines for the jacket? I don't recognize the fittings that appear briefly in your video.
They came with the cooling line kit sold by more beer.
Are the pictures in the thumbnail reversed?
edit..
Oh, I guess it's not referring to before and after the fix...
Just showing the problem to be solved.
I'm glad I bought the kegmenter and not one of these high dollar finicky fermenters. This issue would have driven me crazy.
I’ve thought of little else for the past 2.5 months I’ve had it. I might revert back to using my Kegmenter too.
Great tips Larry, these are useful for troubleshooting! While I haven't experienced the pressure loss issues you have the v band clamp problems are the case for me as well, and I was also missing parts to the pressure pack! Lots of stuff to consider with these
It’s becoming a common complaint I’ve been hearing.
Is unfortunate because otherwise, it’s a decent conical fermenter.; not a unitank as advertised because it can’t be used to carbonate.
Great VIdya Larry. New products need to be put through their paces. Repeatability in the production of equipment used to brew beer equates to repeatability and consistency brewing beer. I made a comment on another vidya, ironically of a similar device, not long ago that design software like Autodesk and Solidworks can give great insight into how well the product is built and possible interferences, but offers very little if anything to the capacity of the equipment to perform as designed. It seems the more complex we get with these vessels, the more room for malfunction is afforded. Cheers Buddy.
@larry How excited are you for the X3 that has replaced the v-clamp on the lid?! I feel like that was in direct response to your review.
Very excited. Yeah, I definitely raised the issue a number of times with them, but I wasn’t the only one from what I’ve heard.
They offered to replace my X2 a year ago once the improved V-clamp free X3 was released.
I sent them a reminder about that yesterday. I’ll see if they honor it.
@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY Oh awesome. I'm certain they will, given how much valuable testing you did with the X2.
And after they do I'll be looking for your in-depth review on it.
For my money, I think that unit checks all the boxes now for a jacketed unitank.
Keep up the great work Larry and thanks for the response!
Same lid sealing problem. mine will seal(-ish) one out of ever 10-15 attempts (and by seal I mean will hold more than 1 psi at least for a few minutes). How much do you recommend cutting off of the band?
Depends on how poorly the clamp fits, how much more tightening is needed, and how much adjustment is left on the threads.
Just an update - received a new v-clamp from Brew Built. The new v-clamp has a substantially smaller diameter than the old one. Snugged the new clamp up and my 7g x2 is now holding pressure on the first try! I'll report back if I experience further issues.
@@billcooey9647 That’s good. I told them they needed a smaller diameter clamp. Good to see them acting quickly on it.
I had similar issues with the brewbuilt X2. I received a replacement fermenter after a replacement lid and Clamp.
The 3rd Clamp was much better than the first two.
Get a big rubber mallet. You can also compress the "C" shape of the Clamp.
Also put some silicone grease on the o-ring and on the thread.
My X2 is finally working great!
Interesting. Thanks for the X2 info.
It may have been noted by now, but there is no savings of CO2 by filling with water. By the time you get all the CO2 dissolved into the beer, so that more solution doesn't drop your headspace pressure, there's exactly the same amount of CO2 in the fermenter as if it had no water in it. Best to just use compressed air in an empty tank.
Decided to check mine because I had not used it yet and yup! It’s leaking on the Vclamp… I also was missing the beverage tube but had one from kegland … trying the rubber mallet
Really?! Not surprised by the leak but also missing the dip tube too, eh? Hmmm. Seems to becoming a pattern.
What size fermenter do you have?
Thanks for the feedback.
@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY Yup missing that same part, as soon as you mentioned that in your video I went and checked because I didn’t remember assembling or seeing that piece, So I tightened everything up and added the tube, I have the non jacketed 7 gallon fermenter, I already purchased an extra gasket and lid because I upgraded my lid to the X2 lid … both leak … I’m buying the Brewtools Unitank and just gonna use the Brewbuilt in my fermentation Fridge… Lotta money to spend for that kind of design flaw … totally disappointed… would not have known until brew day if I wouldn’t have watched your video … Brew day is today! So thanks! 😂
@@snackhack9021 Ouch. Sorry to hear about your troubles too. At least you didn’t have to experience it on a real batch like I did. I had to keep pumping CO2 into mine just to maintain positive pressure near the end of fermentation.
Glad this video helped you.
@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY Called customer support and they are phenomenal! Sent out a new clamp, lid and dip tube the same day and I am living in France … for anyone that’s reading this later … More Beer is a great company to deal with …. But I would still say … get Brewtools if you have the budget, or Kegmenter if you don’t … and last but not least … grab a used corny keg and Spunding valve from Kegland … you will be better off …
Good to know I'm always afraid of the first issue.let them work the bugs out! Yesterday I brewed a red beer I named raymond reddington red (the black list) it's happy and holding pressure in my 13 gallon keg. I am still interested in the x2 . How's the stability when full with the four legs? That's the one deal breaker with me and the spike cf15 I wanted. Anyway as always good video. Thanks for being unbiased. I know the frustration beer in a fermenter then realizing problems . Darn it darn it darn it!
four legs is definitely more stable than three but can get in the way of accessing the dump valve.
Thanks for the tips Larry! I have a couple Spike Flex+ fermenters and love them. Regarding the stabilized pressure (i.e. when you mention that it stabilized at 8PSI) - the drop, as I understand it, doesn't necessarily have to do with leakage so much as CO2 being absorbed into the liquid. This happens during pressure ferments and while it happens at a slower rate with "warm" (i.e. room temperature) liquids, it still can occur. Was this considered when you were seeing that pressure drop after you fixed your initial leak?
Yes. That was my tip #6.
@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY AHhhhhh... I need to pay more attention LOL :) Thanks Larry!
Glad I got a Fermzilla
FermZillas have flaws too. There really aren't any perfect fermenters from what I've seen. The closest I've come so far is my Kegmenter.
The simple solution is using sandwich wrap (plastic film) on the edge.
Edge of what? Like put the plastic wrap around the mounted lid and then the clamp?
@@WGK21 yes
What does that do?
@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY stopping leaking pressure
@@firstalawal that’s not a bad idea!
Glass carboy for the win. Save the $1500 for a year supply of hops and grains