First batch in the new Blickmann Conical Fermenter!

Definitely a change in procedure!  Once I get it down & get used to it, I'm sure it'll be much nicer than using carboys for primary. For now, I'll just deal with the 2 gals of sanitizer soaking in the rug, and hoses & parts everywhere.

Doing the no-rinse thing with the carefully-meausured iodophor, trusting all the ppl on the web who say that yes, its all cool.

The pump is cool - not using a hose clamp on the kettle fitting allows a tiny bit of air into the line, which the pump happily disperses in the filter, giving good aeration - just gotta be careful not to let it do that the whole time, it foams up a lot as it goes into the fermenter. (yes, I'm aware of the debate about using unfiltered room-air for aerating wort. I've been doing it for over 16 years when shaking in the carboy and I've never had a problem, so until I do, I don't feel the need to worry)

Slightly lower OG than the previous brew of this recipe (a 5 gal batch)  is caused by less evaporation than I expected. Started with 12.5 gal of wort, 75 min boil only reduced it by about 1 gallon, maybe 1.5, so 11-11.5gal in the fermenter.

I think next time it'll be easier, especually when I'm not making duck confit, & stock from 6 ducks at the same time.

Racking:  I decided to rack & dry hop into carboy-secondaries because I plan to brew next weekend, and dryhopping is 3 weeks or so. (Nice to have the option!) Some day I'll do both primary and secondary in the conical, when I'm not brewing as often. The actual racking was simple, just open the valve and rotate. Next time I'll dump the trub earlier, give it at least 3 days to settle, so that I can get better yeast harvest.

After 4 weeks dry-hopping in the basement, very nice and yummy. I love simcoe hops!

One keg is destined for the Olde Snot Otter in a week or three.