FastFerment 3G Valve Gray

You will likely lose money and resources to lost brew. You will likely spend more in replacement valves than the whole kit costs. I am on valve 2, and I bought 2 more since the first broke so easily. It is very obvious that the TINY plastic shaft that turns the ball inside the valve is undersized or using too soft of a plastic. It cannot endure the stress of turning a ball that is a little stuck or blocked with something in your brew. In my case it was a small piece of cinnamon sick in my cider. Also happens if you over tighten the center section that holds the ball in. It needs to be 'hand tight' plus a quarter turn type of tight otherwise it binds the ball on the seats. If you want to save yourself some grief have an extra valve on hand and a sanitized vessel to decant to while changing valve or just wait until end of ferment and siphon instead of draining. I used a keg to decant while changing valve on second day of ferment. DO FORCE THIS VALVE IT WILL BREAK. Try sanitizing a coat hanger or something to try and clear the possible blockage in the ball throat, or seat area. If it is stuck CLOSED you can remove the mason jar and first plastic adapter section and use the valve handle to loosen the keyed center section of the exposed valve end to try and unbind the ball from the seat. If it is stuck for any other reason you are SOL with this valve. The manufacturer NEEDS to redesign plastic valve or even better provide a stainless steel one with a different jar/adapter sediment catch system. This product should be getting 5 stars but gets 1 instead because of a 10 cent piece of plastic in the valve handle. NONSENSE considering all the patient feedback from your clients!!! The second replacement valve I installed got something in it as well but I managed to dislodge by tapping on the outside of valve with a wooden spoon while GENTLY trying to turn valve back and forth.

I set up my Fast Ferment conical fermenter with the yeast collection jar on the bottom, instead of the valve with the hose barb, and lost the barbed assembly somehow. I found this replacement at a very reasonable price here on Amazon, so I ordered it so I cold use the bark and some line to bottle from the fermenter. It fit perfectly, and functions as is shoaled. I'm very happy I found the replacement and did not have to replace the entire setup. The conical has been a great investment for making small batches of fermented beverages, and having replacement part available makes it an even better bargain.

Purchased as a replacement when the original handle from the FastFerment rig snapped off (after only the third use). Foolishly I bought this one only to have it break again the first time I used it. It turned freely before use, so it was not too tight, but seizes up quickly when yeast sediment builds up. Poor design & construction. FastFerment has never returned emails or support requests in the past. Avoid their products.

I ordered 2 pieces cause the original broked. One of the new one broke while cleaning it before first use. So i replaced it with the second one and i doubt its gona hold. Might be good if you use wine kit but if your doing your own recipe with fruits like strawberry or rasberry the valve will jam and break.

I copied a review and am posting it. It says exactly what needs to be said. This was my third valve that broke. I did not turn it the wrong way. Have to buy another one and it will probably break. Anyway, here’s the copied review:I wanted to give a 5 star for what it can do... but, This is a really CRUCIAL PART for the Fast Fermentor to work properly.... But, it is also the Weakest link of the Fast Fermentor also.. If someone accidentally turns the handle the wrong way when open or closed, or if the ball is stuck or hard to turn... the really THIN PLASTIC Ball to Handle connector will BREAK, and you got to buy another.. This part is still well worth the price, and its a great idea /product.. if it was a little better built, id pay the extra $ if it was less prone to breakage... if you buy a Fast Fermentor. Buy a couple of these for Down the Road repairs.. its still a good product..