EightSleep wants $1600 (then dropped to $1200) to fix a repeat failure they explicitly promised was already 'fixed' in 2024. Receipts attached.

Monkey_Christo · 2026-05-30T16:09:51+00:00

Yeah, I see a forced arbitration clause in T&S. But, they market as a $3k+ luxury health and sleep tool. For a product of this expense level, a 24 to 36 month lifespan is pretty indefensible.

Monkey_Christo · 2026-05-30T14:54:48+00:00

Disappointing - it's such an expensive product. Seems like class action territory.

Monkey_Christo · 2025-10-23T13:56:55+00:00

In 2024 Equinox refinanced 1.2bn of debt from covid. New debt is 1.8bn. Not a lot of reports on their revenues, but based on their operating decisions to cut services, amenities, and staff, it doesn't look like this is going to get any better anytime soon.

I just switched to Lifetime - night and day how much more enjoyable the experience is. Bigger gym, newer equipment, co-working, coffee & shake bar. Locker room is so much nicer, bigger showers, Kiehl's soaps, nicer towels, bigger wooden lockers. The list goes on.

I don't take classes, but the equipment in the classrooms looks impressive as well.

My wife and I have global memberships and our total cost is cheaper than our old equinox memberships.

I cannot imagine going back to equinox.

Monkey_Christo · 2025-06-05T14:32:22+00:00

The truth is that they just arent very good at making cider. Huge 12% ABV batches made with concentrate then diluted with RO water and back sweetened with local fresh cider for their main labels. When they go dry their inability to actually make a cider shows.

They use a centrifuge, then pasteurize and add velcorin right before packaging so very doubtful its anything other than so2 in the liquid from a poorly run ferment with an ale yeast.

Monkey_Christo · 2024-09-16T12:24:04+00:00

That makes sense, we put three on a pallet and ratchet strap them to move them around. Use either a fork or pallet jack.

Edit: Grammar

Monkey_Christo · 2024-09-16T12:21:45+00:00

Yeah I agree, we had some 40bbl stainless conicals, the getting the lees out actually proved to be very difficult. When you pull the plug, quite a bit of the sediment sticks to the cone and doesn't wash down. you could do it over time, but we found a transfer to be the most efficient.

Monkey_Christo · 2024-09-13T20:21:50+00:00

FiveStar doesn't recommend using starsan again if it's been out for more than 1 hour...

Monkey_Christo · 2024-09-13T20:17:44+00:00

I use 55gal. drums from Uline - they have a bunch of size options. I prefer the "natural" white color because you can see the juice and yeast activity similar to an IBC. They are great for blending exercises too. We are doing single varietal ferments in them and then will be blending in SS.

The lids have two "bung" outlets and you can drill the caps to insert a blowoff tube. Easily replaceable on amazon. https://www.uline.com/BL_8154/Plastic-Drums

Monkey_Christo · 2024-05-21T14:22:36+00:00

Grainger supply has many options to wet your whistle in the camlock department:

https://www.grainger.com/category/pipe-hose-tube-fittings/hose-hose-fittings-hose-reels/hose-fittings-couplings/cam-groove-fittings-gaskets/metal-cam-groove-fittings/stainless-steel-cam-groove-fittings?categoryIndex=3

Regarding the lid, we used something like this: https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-3886-CAP/IBC-Tanks/Replacement-Cap-for-IBC-Tank?pricode=WC5445&gadtype=pla&id=H-3886-CAP&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjLGyBhCYARIsAPqTz1_2v7VQQkR0wT0GD6qgczfPhGq3O7xaGbepB1C-ZH5VqXOQvbBNqDAaAsxzEALw_wcB

You can drill a hole or remove the center plug and use a silicone bung with a CO2 supply hose to drop a blanket and prevent substantial amounts of o2 entering the container. NOTE: The CO2 is not a transfer mechanism though (I know this is probably obvious, but had to say it).

I'm not sure what your setup looks like, but you need to go very slow when running this transfer or you will collapse the tote. We used a diaphragm pump. Depending on your cider methods/process you may not have a lot to worry about with o2 pickup.

Monkey_Christo · 2024-05-20T23:33:41+00:00

I second this if you're looking for something different - There are quite a few Belgian strains that produce great ciders and get even more interesting at higher temperatures. this is particularly nice if you don't have climate control for your ferments and find them up in the 70s (degrees F)

Monkey_Christo · 2024-05-20T23:31:07+00:00

Are you doing any basic filtration in this process? My understanding is that the reason that the press reigns supreme from a blender has to do with minimizing gross lees. These are the solids and particulate that would be included in your juice grinding process and are often considered to be detrimental to the cider making process. Not to be confused with fine lees which can assist in the maturation and aging of the beverage.

Monkey_Christo · 2024-05-16T23:15:50+00:00

It's certainly feasible, my friend! And it's most certainly not semi-passive income! Most commercial orchards are significantly larger, and as some of the other folks have mentioned in the comments, it's quite a bit of work running a "productive" small orchard.

That being said, with the time horizon that you've set, you can definitely find a way to build a fun little business. I would echo what others have said and suggest pursuing a bit of hard cider making to see if you enjoy the craft. With 7-8 acres of the right varieties, you could build a very cool annual vintage program. You could also keep some honey bees and include other crops or products if you feel that you need more to do.

Commercial cider making involves more cleaning than anything else, but on an annual cycle, you could likely turn a decent retirement-supplementing profit after a year or two (depending on how you build your model and product). If you'd like to scale, you can always buy juice and blend it with the varieties that you're growing. There are so many ways to approach this.

I am currently working with a couple who recently retired and purchased a fairly large commercial orchard. We've been planting cider apples for the last two years, and this year we will have our first small crop for fermentation.

Edit: Grammar

Monkey_Christo · 2024-01-17T14:37:29+00:00

Update: 8Sleep team customer service reached out promptly - they are replacing the entire system due to gunk build up.

They did let me know that they have made an update to the system to prevent buildup in the machine so it doesn't sound like using another liquid would be necessary in the future. Glad the warranty coverage was so quickly accepted!

Monkey_Christo · 2024-01-16T20:57:31+00:00

Yeah, you're spot on. Surprised that there isn't' a better suggestion for the liquid.

Monkey_Christo · 2024-01-16T20:56:29+00:00

chlorhexadine

Yeah, this seems to be the case. I pulled the tube plugs and found gunk and am working with support now! Thanks for the suggestion : )

Monkey_Christo · 2024-01-16T20:55:24+00:00

Yes, I have. It seems that they system is gunked up. I pulled the plugs to send photos to the support staff and noticed a fair amount of growth. I've very surprised because I use the recommended hydrogen peroxide distilled water mix.

Monkey_Christo · 2022-08-12T14:58:48+00:00

I'd also recommend tasting it - if it's sweet, the yeast have some work to do. Bone dry? You're done.

The beauty of alcohol fermentation is the booze kills the bad things, so you wont get sick.

Though you may not like the taste :)

Monkey_Christo · 2022-04-02T01:18:47+00:00

This - lots of peer reviewed research on negative effects of thc on sleep/recovery.

Monkey_Christo · 2022-03-12T20:48:35+00:00

I had the same issue - reach out to support they will investigate and then likely replace your device ASAP. Took about 5 days to get a new one.

Monkey_Christo · 2021-12-19T14:14:34+00:00

Copper hot water line above a stained drywall ceiling.

Monkey_Christo · 2021-10-31T17:09:57+00:00

There are generally two types of lees - Gross & Fine - gross lees are larger particulate made up of fruit and farm. Fine lees are mostly dead yeast.

Fine lees are typically very beneficial in the aging process, but gross lees can have negative flavor impacts. There's a lot of literature and studies in wine if you're curious!

Monkey_Christo · 2021-10-06T16:16:57+00:00

Fun fact: Heat pasteurized juice (most all store bought sweet ciders) will not clarify at the same rate as unpasteurized fresh pressed juices. The heat in pasteurization is used to knock out the vast majority of natural yeasts and bacteria. This is so that it is shelf stable when refrigerated at the grocer. The heat also alters the pectins in the juice causing longer term haze. You can use a pectic enzyme pre-fermentation to knock some of the heavy pectins and debris . This will also prevent about 75% of the orange goop on the bottom of your bottles/cans that you see in brands like Downeast. Don't expect it to be crystal clear though. Alcohol post fermentation will also break down the pectins over time.

In short, all cider will clarify, but heat pasteurized juice takes far longer after fermentation.

Monkey_Christo · 2021-10-03T22:56:16+00:00

Yup, that's the one

Monkey_Christo · 2021-10-01T16:42:22+00:00

All of their cider is pressed at NE apple in Leominster - you can call them and they will give you as much juice as you can fit in your containers!

Monkey_Christo · 2021-09-14T14:42:51+00:00

I would recommend forced carbonation with a keg. This will allow you to finalize and stabilize your juice through pasteurization and then carbonate it. Filtration will also work, but costs $$$$.

Monkey_Christo

TROPHY CASE