Ss Brewtech Unitank Nano Series

Introduction

The Ss Brewtech Unitank Nano Series is a versatile conical fermenter designed for brewing enthusiasts. This guide provides detailed instructions on its setup, operation, maintenance, and safety procedures.

The Ss Brewtech Unitank Nano Series is presented as a sleek, black, conical fermenter mounted on a sturdy stainless steel frame. It features multiple stainless steel valves, pressure gauges (one showing 69.8°F ?️), and a domed lid equipped with a chiller coil assembly. The Ss Brewtech logo is prominently displayed on the front of the vessel.

⚠️ WARNINGS

It is crucial to ensure the vessel is empty and ready for cleaning. Always release residual pressure before removing the lid cap by opening the sampling valve. Failure to do so could result in personal property damage, serious bodily injury, or death.

Never allow a vacuum to form within the vessel. During crash cooling or liquid extraction, always attach a CO2 system to supply pressure less than the rated operating pressure of 15 PSI. Alternatively, open the blow-off cane's ball valve to compensate for liquid contraction. Never attach a diaphragm, vacuum, or centrifugal pump without sufficient head venting, as this could cause personal property damage, serious bodily injury, or death.

Always assume contents are under pressure. This vessel is designed and tested for accepted beer serving and carbonating pressures. Never exceed the pressure threshold of 30 PSI, and always operate the vessel with the Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) in place. Do not use the vessel in a manner other than directed. Keep out of reach of children.

What's in the Box?

• Unitank Conical Fermenter
• 8" TC Cap and Chiller Coil Assembly
• 8" TC Clamp
• 8" TC Gasket
• Butterfly Valve - Racking
• Butterfly Valve – Dump
• Racking Arm
• 3" to 1.5" TC Reducer
• 3" TC Clamp
• 3" TC Gasket
• Pressure Relief Valve (PRV)
• 1.5" TC Blow Off Cane
• 1.5" TC to 1/2" Ball Valve
• 1.5" TC Pro Sanitary Pressure Gauge
• 1.5" TC Pro Sanitary Sampling Valve
• 1.5" TC Thermowell
• 1.5" TC Carb Stone with 3/8" Ball Valve
• (10) 1.5" TC Clamps
• (10) 1.5" TC Gaskets
• LCD Thermometer Assembly
• Neoprene Insulation Jacket
• Stainless Lower Shelf
• 90 Degree Elbow
• 3/8" Threaded Stem Adjustable Feet

Stainless Steel Preparation

Pre-Clean

Prior to first use, thoroughly wash all surfaces of the Unitank, including valves and fittings, with Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) in hot water, mixed according to manufacturer recommendations. Scrub with a soft terry cloth, rinse thoroughly, and dry all surfaces.

Passivation

It is good practice to periodically passivate all stainless steel equipment with an acid-based solution to establish a uniform passive oxide layer for corrosion resistance. After pre-cleaning, fill the Unitank with Star San at a concentration of 1 ounce per gallon at 70-80°F (21-27°C) for 30 minutes. Passivation should be performed at least once a year or anytime the surface may have been inadvertently scratched.

Note: Save this Star San solution for pressure testing.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

As part of a regular cleaning regimen, wash interior surfaces with an alkali cleaner like PBW (0.75 ounce per gallon). Then sanitize with Star San or another acid-based sanitizer per manufacturer recommendations.

Unitank Setup

Begin by removing all components from the box. Remove the installed 8” TC clamp, chiller coil lid cap, and gasket, setting them aside. Place the vessel upside down on a flat, stable, non-marring surface.

Orient the neoprene insulation jacket so the Ss Brewtech logo aligns with the front of the vessel. Align the jacket's leg hole cutouts with the vessel's legs. Carefully work the jacket onto the vessel, ensuring each ferrule passes through its corresponding cutout.

With the vessel still upside down, locate the stainless lower shelf. Align its pre-punched leg insert holes with the threaded inserts on the vessel's legs. Install the adjustable feet by threading their stems into the leg inserts. A washer should be placed on the stem first, followed by the nut, as shown in the diagram. This allows for height adjustment and locking the feet in place.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows an adjustable foot with a washer placed on its threaded stem, followed by a nut. This assembly is then shown being threaded into a leg of the Unitank.

Turn the vessel right side up and place it on the installed feet. Locate the two butterfly valves, the 1.5" TC 90-degree elbow, three 1.5” TC clamps, and three 1.5" TC gaskets.

Install the 1.5" TC 90-degree elbow onto the vessel's lower 1.5" TC ferrule at the bottom of the cone.

The Nano Unitank includes two butterfly valves: one for racking and one for dumping. The racking valve is identifiable by its smaller diameter inlet for the racking arm.

Locate the dump valve and install it onto the opposite end of the 90-degree elbow. Install the racking arm into the racking butterfly valve. Use food-safe lubricant or Star San when inserting the racking arm to ensure smooth operation due to tight machining tolerances.

Feed the racking valve and arm assembly into the 1.5" TC ferrule located just above the dump valve assembly and secure it with a TC clamp and gasket.

Installing the Carb Stone, Sampling Valve, and Thermowell

Gather the sampling valve, carb stone valve assembly, thermowell, three 1.5" TC clamps, and three 1.5” TC gaskets.

Install the carb stone valve assembly into the far left 1.5" TC ferrule on the vessel's cone, using a TC clamp and gasket. Avoid touching the carb stone with bare hands, as skin oils can clog its 0.5 micron pores.

Note on Carb Stone Care: Clogged carb stones can be cleared with a concentrated Star San solution or by boiling in water for 20 minutes.

Install the sampling valve into the far-right port opposite the carb stone using the same method. Install the thermowell into the center port.

Install the two button cell batteries into the LCD thermometer, observing the correct polarity (+ and –). Slide the back cover off the thermometer to access the battery compartment. Install the LCD assembly into the silicone boot and feed the thermoprobe into the thermowell, seating the silicone boot near the thermowell's TC flange.

Installing the Blow-Off Cane, PRV, and Pressure Gauge

Gather the blow-off cane, 1.5” TC to 1/2" Ball Valve, Pressure Gauge, PRV, 1.5” TC to 3" TC Reducer, four 1.5" TC clamps, one 3" TC clamp, four 1.5" TC gaskets, and one 3” TC gasket.

Remove the two socket cap screws securing the blow-off arm mount on the vessel's leg. Attach the blow-off cane to the 1.5" TC ferrule on the right of the Unitank's domed top, aligning it with the arm mount. Secure the connection with the socket cap screws.

Attach the 1.5" TC Ball valve to the 1.5" TC flange at the bottom of the blow-off arm.

Attach the pressure gauge to the 1.5” TC ferrule on the left of the Unitank's domed top.

Install the 1.5” to 3” reducer onto the 3" ferrule on the backside of the vessel's domed top. Attach the PRV to the 1.5" TC flange on the reducer.

Reinstall the 8” TC gasket, Chiller Coil Lid Cap, and 8” TC clamp to the vessel's center lid opening. The Nano Series Unitank is now fully assembled.

Pressure Testing

It is mandatory to leak test the vessel before first use. Use the Star San solution prepared for passivation.

Close all valves and fill the Unitank up to the 1.5" TC ferrules on the cone. Install the lid cap using the TC lid gasket and TC lid clamp, tightening firmly.

Pressurize the vessel with CO2 to 15 PSI +/- 1 PSI. Monitor for liquid leaks from fittings over the next few hours. If leaks occur, reseat and retighten the fitting. If no leaks are observed, the fittings below the liquid level are ready for service. Open the dump butterfly valve to release pressure and drain the Star San solution.

To relieve pressure without draining, gently turn the ball valve on the blow-off cane until the desired pressure is released.

After the initial test, the vessel needs to be pressure tested again to ensure lid cap fittings are not leaking. Empty the Unitank completely and pressurize with CO2 to 15 PSI +/- 1 PSI. Monitor the lid cap pressure gauge. If pressure drops by more than 3 PSI, remove and reseat the lid cap fittings. If no pressure is lost, the vessel is ready for service. Open the dump butterfly valve to release pressure.

Operation

Once the fermenter is cleaned, sanitized, pressure tested, and prepped, orient the racking arm opposite the butterfly valve's squeeze trigger. Ensure the racking arm points sideways or down during active fermentation to prevent trub and yeast from clogging its opening.

As a best practice to avoid contamination, fill the fermenter with wort from the bottom up using the dump valve. Ensure the ball valve on the blow-off arm is open during filling to release head pressure.

Purge the tank with CO2 before filling. Close all valves, seal openings, open the blow-off cane ball valve, and connect your CO2 line to the carbonation stone. Set your regulator to approximately 2 PSI and allow CO2 to flow for about a minute. Turn off the CO2 supply and close the blow-off valve.

The Unitank's carb stone can also be used for oxygenation. Convert your oxygen regulator's output to a 3/8” hose to interface with the carb stone's ball valve. After oxygenating, push a small amount of CO2 through the carb stone to purge remaining oxygen, preventing oxidation during carbonation.

Pitch yeast or dry hop through the 3" TC port on the domed top. Remove the 3" TC clamp, reducer, and PRV assembly to add ingredients, then reinstall and secure the fitting.

Always verify the ball valve on the blow-off arm is open after pitching yeast. 1/2" threaded barbs and tubing are available for purchase to divert blow-off material to a separate vessel.

During active fermentation, monitor vessel pressure using the gauge and take samples for gravity checks using the sanitary sample valve. To operate the valve, align the lever parallel with the sampling valve outlet port to open, and perpendicular to close.

Trub Dump and Yeast Harvesting

The Unitank allows for dumping trub and harvesting yeast. Dump trub using the lower dump valve within the first 48 hours of primary fermentation to prevent solidification of break material. Typical dump rates result in the loss of 1-2 pints. Disengage your airlock before dumping to prevent Star San from being drawn into the vessel due to vacuum.

To harvest yeast, begin with a small sanitized container once primary fermentation is nearly complete and most trub is removed. Samples can be taken from either the dump valve or racking valve, provided the racking arm is oriented downwards.

Once primary and secondary fermentation are complete, and before pressurizing, rotate the racking butterfly valve to reposition the racking arm upwards or sideways for kegging or bottling. Slightly loosen the tri-clamp on the racking butterfly valve for smooth rotation. Over-loosening may cause leaks.

Never attempt to reposition any TC connections when the vessel is under pressure!

Crash Cooling

When liquid cools, it contracts, potentially drawing sanitizer from the blow-off apparatus into the vessel. For glycol system users, supply a nominal amount of positive pressure through the carb stone to prevent vacuum formation during cold crashing. Alternatively, remove the blow-off apparatus and keep the blow-off cane ball valve open to maintain atmospheric pressure. A vacuum can damage the vessel and cause personal property damage, serious bodily injury, or death.

Carbonating

The Unitank's pressure gauge allows monitoring of head pressure relative to regulator output, enabling safe burst or quick carbonation (under 24 hours).

For burst carbonation, attach 3/8" tubing to the carb stone port and secure with a hose clamp. Set regulator output to 20 PSI. Open the carb stone valve and begin carbonating. Monitor the PRV; if it releases pressure, reduce regulator output to avoid venting CO2. Turn down regulator pressure when head pressure reaches the desired CO2 volumes (10-14 PSI).

For the "low and slow" method, set the CO2 regulator to the desired output pressure and wait for head pressure to equalize over time.

Pressurized Transfers and Kegging

Utilize your CO2 system for pressurized transfers. A reducer barb may be needed to convert regulator output (5/16" or 3/8") to the blow-off cane ball valve's 1½" barb input. Detailed write-ups and parts lists are available on the Ss Brewtech website.

Set the CO2 system regulator pressure to match the Unitank's pressure gauge reading. Connect tubing from the CO2 regulator to the reducer fitting, then from the reducer assembly to the blow-off cane ball valve. Connect sanitized tubing from the Unitank's racking valve to a clean, sanitized keg using appropriate fittings:

• Sanke Kegs: Use a 1.5” TC to ½” Barb fitting on the racking arm to interface with the Sanke filler head.
• Corny Kegs: Use a 1.5” TC to ¼” Male Flare fitting on the racking arm to interface with the Corny Keg's liquid-out quick disconnect.

Both TC fittings are available for purchase on the website.

Open the racking valve to allow beer to flow into the keg. Modulate flow using the racking valve once the keg is full.

Serving

The Unitank can also serve as a serving vessel. Once carbonated, accessories are available to connect the Unitank to a draught system. For users with 3/16" beer line and 1¼” flare swivel nut assemblies, a 1.5" TC to 1¼" Male Flare fitting is available to connect directly to a draft tower or picnic tap.

Use with Caution & Never Use

Use the Following with Caution:

• Stainless steel scrubbing pads or Scotch-Brite pads: Aggressive use can damage the surface or finish.
• Oxalic Acid cleaners (e.g., Bar Keeper's Friend): May cause etched volume markings or logos to fade.

Never Use the Following:

• Chlorine bleach or chlorine-based products: Can cause pitting or pinholes in stainless steel.
• OxiClean or other peroxide cleaners with hard water: Can cause calcium carbonate precipitation. If this occurs, re-passivate your Chronical.

For further questions, visit the Ss Brewtech website and consult the extensive knowledgebase in the Support section. If FAQs do not provide an answer, submit a ticket to the support team.

[Ss Brewtech Logo: A stylized 'Ss' within a square, resembling a periodic table element, with 'brewtech' below.]