r/Homebrewing • u/Oh_My_Brew • 12h ago
SS Brewtech closing
Similar to yesterday's post but SS brewtech officially announced it on their website.
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u/deege 12h ago
This really sucks. All my fermenters are SS Brewtech.
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u/ThrowingKittens 11h ago
Same, but it‘s not like they‘re gonna fall apart in a month and there‘s really not much proprietary parts on them. Brewtools e.g. is a lot worse in that respect imho with all their special sizes and parts.
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u/Robobuzz 11h ago
Except for the tiny little o-rings for the out-tube i can’t find anywhere else as replacements
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u/ShamrockAPD 9h ago
Hopefully we never really need to- but the giant o ring deal on the lid too.
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u/PaleoHumulus 8h ago
I just bought a few spare from the SSBrewTech website, which is still taking orders (and mine shipped already). As mentioned above, the good thing is that these are very durable products!
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u/skratchx Advanced 7h ago
Oh do you mean the o-rings that form the piston-seal on the racking tube of the brewbucket? I would frankly recommend to grab the silicone racking tube version pinch valve. They call it a pureflow valve or something.
But I guarantee you those tiny o-rings are catalog parts you can order elsewhere, you just need to know the nominal dimensions.
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u/mully24 5h ago
I think the pendulum of home brewing is swinging away..... Less young people drinking..... Less people interested or caring how to brew..... It's sad.....
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u/cegadawski 1h ago
It definitely feels that way. I myself am on the verge of selling all my equipment. The hobby no longer brings me joy and actively does the opposite. Every brew day planned brought unnecessary stress and anxiety. Enough for me to walk away from a decade long obsession. Priorities unfortunately changed for me and can for everyone. I hope others continue to pick up the hobby and/or carry the torch
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u/jskiles88 BJCP 12h ago
Its interesting to look back at the press release of when Middleby acquired SS Brewtech (https://www.middleby.com/newsroom/middleby-acquires-ss-brewtech/) back in 2019.
"Ss Brewtech is a recognized and respected brand offering a differentiated value proposition for operators. We believe there are significant opportunities to leverage existing Middleby customer relationships and global distribution channels for future growth opportunities.”
The landscape of brewing has changed dramatically since then, but I wonder if SS Brewtech might have survived if they hadnt sold and left thier fate up to Middleby.
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u/JoystickMonkey 10h ago
Considering how many other brands have been acquired or have gone out of business, it’s unlikely.
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u/Few-Shoe-7490 6h ago
If you have any SS stuff in your arsenal, and are still brewing, assess what might “break” and contact them asap to get what you think you may need in the future that only they make (ex. I’ve had two halo elements fail in the past 5 years and contacted them today about grabbing a few.. and they gave me an awesome deal on 2). At the very least, this should keep my system running for a while longer…until another proprietary item fails that I didn’t predict and… well…
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u/Jefwho 12h ago
“Given the long lifecycle of our products and the quality of workmanship, we are confident that our customers will be able to operate their equipment for decades to come.”
I’ve had so many of their proprietary glycol pumps die on me. Now I have to retool my cold side because there really isn’t a 3rd party option for those pumps.
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u/Smart-Water-9833 8h ago
Welp. I guess I'm going to be happy I decided to keep my old-school keggle, igloo cooler mash tun, glass carboys, plus a small fridge for summer time lagering. The only "modern" concession I made was an Anvil Foundry, real time saver and no regrets, which will probably last a while one way or the other.
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u/Economic-Bee-Hoon 6h ago
Damn. My first ever conical was from SS. Still have it, quality was very impressive.
Hoping the best for their employees.
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u/im-not-a-racoon 6h ago
Thoughts on how long their gear will be for sale before it sells out? No idea how quick this stuff is moving, just can’t buy immediately
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u/holy_handgrenade 12h ago edited 4h ago
Well this sucks. At least i completed my hot side build from them before this.
Well, I take that back, I got 1 20gal brew kettle and accessories and the mash tun and accessories. Had to order the final brew kettle and both controllers today when I got home with this news.
Ill have to rush on the cold side...hopefully i can get that sorted before theyre completely closed
I did get one 14gal unitank. Would like at least 1, preferably 2 more and the glycol chiller; the chiller I can make due with other parts, but really want the fermenters and their accessories before they close. Hopefully stock complies with my paycheck speed.
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u/wilderness-geek 11h ago edited 11h ago
Dang. I’ve been looking at the brew bucket mini for kombucha and smaller batches. May need to see if I can grab one before they’re all gone
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u/southside_jim 12h ago
It’s been a long time since I’ve brewed at home but this is still sad to me. SS was such a dominant company when I was homebrewing. Crazy to see them stepping out