Weston,
I just got someone to check one of those Manways (Shout-out to MBAA member Tommy Kelley at Free State Brewery!). He is not having any issues with leakage and he said that fully closed and hand tight, with no gasket, his plate manway door fits pretty flat against the seat, with the exception of about a penny thickness gap in the upper corner opposite the hinge. So maybe that gives you a ballpark for tolerance?
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Steve Bradt
2nd VP - MBAA National
Hopsteiner
Craft Sales Representative
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-03-2025 09:46
From: Steve Bradt
Subject: JVNW parts needed
Weston,
That's a good question, and I don't really have a good answer to precisely how large a gap should be acceptable. However, closing the door with no gasket in place seems like a good starting point in diagnosing a problem. If there are no significant gaps (I would think anything thicker than a dime?) then the manway probably isn't the issue. If there are gaps, the next step would be to check the door plate with a straight edge to see if it is a gap caused by the plate having deformed or is the problem lies with the seating surface the plate seals against. The latter seems highly unlikely to have deformed, just due to the nature of the construction, but this is a starting point. I just left a message with a brewery that has one of those manways and asked if he'd check on how flat the door fits against the seat next time he has one empty.
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Steve Bradt
2nd VP - MBAA National
Hopsteiner
Craft Sales Representative
Original Message:
Sent: 09-02-2025 18:53
From: Weston Barkley
Subject: JVNW parts needed
Hey Steve,
These are the older flat plates (16x22). I'm new to this manufacturer, but you are saying I need to close the manway with no gasket and look for gaps? Just large gaps or are any gaps a concern?
Thank you for the help!
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Weston Barkley
Head Brewer
Beer Zombies Brewing Co.
Las Vegas, NV
Original Message:
Sent: 08-29-2025 13:07
From: Steve Bradt
Subject: JVNW parts needed
Weston,
Are these the older Flat plate ~1/2" thick manway doors or the newer ones with a bubble to the inside? I would think the older ones would be pretty easy to have fabricated. Do you see significant gaps when you pull a door shut against the manway without a gasket in place? JV used to carry two different materials of Gasket too. One was a very soft silicone (I believe) that was light gray in color. The other was a dark grey/black which I think was EPDM. The EPDM ones were harder to get a seal on due to being a stiffer material. Maybe check brewerygaskets.com?
Kind Regards,

Steve Bradt | Craft Sales Representative
Lawrence, KS 66044 – USA
cell: (785) 307-4587 |
| HOPSTEINER.COM



Original Message:
Sent: 8/28/2025 12:12:00 PM
From: Weston Barkley
Subject: RE: JVNW parts needed
I have recently started at a Brewery with a cellar of mostly JVNW vessels. 2 FV manways have issues sealing, and I am concerned that the issue is the door plate itself...and now that I may not be able to get a replacement from ICC. Anyone have suggestions? I have also failed to make contact with ICC over the last few weeks.
Thank you
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Weston Barkley
Head Outpost Brewer-Las Vegas
BrewDog USA
Las Vegas, NV
Original Message:
Sent: 08-26-2025 18:32
From: Justin Carter
Subject: JVNW parts needed
We've been dealing with awful communication and delayed order fulfillment from ICC since February. We finally received our order after hundreds of calls, voicemails, emails, an Uber Eats delivery, and even a phone call to the Canby Chamber of Commerce.
Long story short, ICC-NW is going out of business. Word is that a handful of parts department people from ICC are starting their own venture in September 2025. Once I hear they are up and running I'll be happy to share more info.
If you want more info on my ICC-NW saga, feel free to reach out to me directly.
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Justin Carter
Cellar Manager
Drake's Brewing Co
San Leandro CA
Original Message:
Sent: 08-15-2025 15:04
From: Madison Roane
Subject: JVNW parts needed
Hello all,
We have some old JVNW brite tanks and keep having difficulty finding parts.
We've used ICC-NW parts store, but they are pretty much non-responsive.
We are looking for Knuckle Block assemblies as these wear out pretty regularly.
Any help greatly appreciated.
-- Madison Roane
VP of Production
phone: (813) 990-7310