Stainless fermenter?

[Mash]

Has anyone experienced any pros or cons of fermenting in stainless as opposed to plastic drums?

[packapoo]

Thanks Mash. I'm all ears.

[Icefever]

One question comes to my mind Mash....would the mainline breweries & distilleries use it if it was detrimental to the product.

[YHB]

I have considered SS in the past but always keep coming back to Plastic (HDPE).

I have access to two types of stainless vessels, thin lightweight ones and thick heavy duty ones.

I do not think about how it affects the wash because I never get past considering the operational activities. I look at what I do with my plastic ones and think if I could do the same with shiny ones.

I clean my fermenter by sticking it under the garden tap, giving it a good swirl and then tipping it upside down, it takes seconds before I lift it back onto the bench. Just imagine doing the same with stainless, the thick walled variety would not do my hernia any good, and the thinner types would be dinged, dented and damaged beyond recognition in no time at all.

I often lift my 25 litre fermenter when it is full. The thin walled SS cannot be lifted full - they will bend,the thick walled SS cannot be lifted full - they are too heavy for me to lift.

[Mash]

Ice I agree. Just not sure there is any benefit over plastic.


YHB indeed. I was not sure there is any fermentation gain to out weigh the practical issues you mentioned. Hence my post.

Thanks.

I just wondered if someone would pop up and list numerous benefits.

[YHB]

Try this one

http://www.fermentedlychallenged.com/20 ... t-two.html

[Mash]

I am beginning to think there is no benefit to the wash. So we might as well have the most practical fermenter.

[Easydrinker]

My guess is that the practical experience of many, many, fermenters and brewers is what leads the choice here, no attempt by a manufacturer to influence the use.

Robert.

[Mash]

A few (very few) beer chaps will tell you a ss conical will make a better beer.
I think there are manufacturers who push this. When really it is just to imitate commercial breweries which - let's be honest here - have very different requirements and volumes.
So perhaps ss is a solution to a different problem.

[Sunshine]

I think most of the distillers vote with their wallet: the plastic fermenter are a lot cheaper, no question.

But, and that is what most of our professional distillers say: plastic wears off. At some point the surface in the fermenter begins to degenerate and germs are more and more difficult to clean away. Also, don't forget, when this is the case, also plastic particles will be in the wash. I personally try to avoid plastic in my kitchen as much as possible, even more, when it comes to dealing with alcohol. I am unsure, if plastic can be tasted but it sure is not healthy when it is in the spirits.

What I have seen a lot are stainless steel milk vessels, like agricultural cookers or storage vessels that people re-use for fermenting. Sometimes those items can be found for little money and they make pretty good fermenter too.

[Easydrinker]

I don't get out much, and tend to lead a quiet life..
Conical fermenters, new to me, but I love the idea of all that sludge settling into pointy bottom..
It must make racking off a lot easier?

I will plus one with Sunshine on the point that once the inner surface of an HDPE fermenter starts to become scratched and scored,it seems to degenerate pretty quickly.
I try to treat mine gently.
Personally, I do not worry about HDPE and alcohol below 20% ABV, but this is MY informed choice..
Others must make their own.

Robert.

[Mash]

I agree. I am gentle preferring chemicals to scourers.


Some beer makers will say that HDPE transfers flavours too. I struggle with that one. Typically beer is around 5% and also not in the for very long.

At £10 you could have a new one every year ☺

[packapoo]

Have been in the habit of using bleach for cleaning fermenters and glass for some 45 years - too old to change now. No failures from improper cleaning along the way. Ever.

[Easydrinker]

Cheapskate that I am, I have always favoured bleach too, if I even felt it was needed, it does the job.

Robert.

[Mash]

I use truck wash. But thats just me.

A also seal it up with a splash of 40% so it is ready to go next time.