A standard plastic bucket has been the go-to for homebrewers fermenting their beer for years. Thanks to advances in homebrewing equipment, stainless steel conical fermenters are quickly becoming one of the best vessels to use for fermentation. Don’t know if it’s right for you? Don’t worry, as we’ll dive into some of the best conical fermenters on the market and why you should make the switch!
Plastic is No Longer the Standard
While there are a lot of steps involved in making great beer, fermentation is one of the most important parts of the process. It requires a clean and sanitized vessel that is capable of reuse batch after batch. Though a standard plastic bucket has been the typical vessel that homebrewers have leaned on for decades, homebrewing has advanced to the point of making brewhouse quality products accessible to homebrewers on a smaller scale.
What does that mean, exactly? It means that you can produce exceptional quality beer from home with similar equipment that a production brewery might use (again, on a smaller scale).
The Downside of Plastic Buckets
Many will argue that a plastic bucket used for fermentation fits the bill just fine. Besides, you’ve probably made plenty of great beers doing exactly that. There isn’t anything wrong with this. It’s cheap, it’s simple, and it works. Good enough, right? Not so fast.
Some of the downsides of using a plastic bucket for fermenting your beer:
- They’re prone to scratching easily, which can introduce bacteria into your beer. All it takes is a couple of minor scratches and no matter how much you clean it, there’s a strong chance of bacteria finding its way into those crevices, thus increasing your chances of an infection.
- They need to be replaced frequently. Plastic breaks down over time. It is also porous, which can absorb flavors from adjuncts used in your beer. If you’re using the same bucket for an adjunct-heavy pastry stout that you would for an IPA, you’re risking the chance of those flavors seeping into batches that shouldn’t.
- Cannot use abrasive cleaners or brushes. Again, with plastic being prone to scratching easily, cleaning any hard-to-remove residue requires a lot of elbow grease. Any caustic or abrasive chemicals should also be avoided. Thinking about using a brush? Think again.
My friend, it’s time to ditch the plastic buckets once and for all and go for something that is guaranteed to last a lifetime. What is it? A stainless steel conical fermenter, of course!
What is a Conical Fermenter?
A conical fermenter is simply a fermentation vessel that is similar to the plastic buckets we’ve all known and used, except that the bottom is in the shape of a cone. This shape is beneficial in that it allows for any sediment to settle down at the bottom, leaving all of the good stuff on top.
To make transferring your beer easier, many conical fermenters come equipped with a valve/spigot that sits above the cone, allowing you to pull clear beer without sediment. The lack of a need for an auto-siphon also makes transferring your finished product to bottles or a keg a breeze.
Add in the fact that many conical fermenters are now made of 304 stainless steel, which gives your beer the most sanitary and clean environment possible. There are conical fermenters on the market made of plastic, but that essentially defeats the purpose, as the main drawback of plastic is the risk of scratches that can harbor bacteria.
Speaking of scratching, we’re only at the surface. Let’s talk more about how you can benefit from a conical fermenter.
Benefits of a Conical Fermenter
Some of the benefits of using a stainless steel conical fermenter over a plastic bucket are:
- No issues with scratches. Stainless steel can take a beating, as it is durable and scratch-resistant. They can be cleaned with stronger chemical cleaners and you can utilize a brush or scrubbing sponges to help get things as clean as possible. It also minimizes the chances of any infection, since you no longer have to worry about any deep scratches harboring any unwanted bacteria.
- Easy transfer. With the valve/spigot, you can ditch the auto-siphon and transfer your beer to bottles or a keg with ease.
- Less sediment in your final product. With much of the hop/yeast matter settling to the bottom of the cone and the valve/spigot placed atop, you’ll end up with a cleaner, clearer beer.
- Lasts longer. With proper care, stainless steel can last a lifetime. It’s a slightly bigger investment upfront, but you can be sure that it’ll be the only fermenter you’ll ever need.
- Ability to control fermentation temps without a fermentation chamber. Many conical fermenters have add-ons that allow you to control your fermentation temperatures without the need for a chest freezer and temperature controller. For those limited on space, this can be a massive benefit.
Now that you’re aware of the benefits, you’re probably wondering what the best conical fermenter is out there. Fortunately, we’ve got a couple of recommendations that you’ll absolutely fall in love with!
Best Conical Fermenter #1 – Ss BrewTech Brew Bucket
Some of the features you can expect:
- Durable food-grade 304 stainless steel construction
- Stainless steel rotating racking arm valve
- 40-degree conical bottom to trap trub, settled yeast, and hop particulate
- Molded silicone gasket lid to keep things sealed tight
- Offset airlock hole with silicone stopper
- Gallon and liter markers for an easy visual on overall volume
- Stainless steel construction resists damage and results in a vessel that is easy to clean and reuse for years
This is, by far, one of our favorite stainless steel conical fermenters. Trust us when we say that you will NOT regret making the switch!
You can learn more about this excellent fermenter here.
Best Conical Fermenter #2 – Anvil Bucket
The Anvil Stainless Steel Bucket is an affordable solution in the world of stainless steel conical fermenters. It’s easy to use and clean, resulting in the production of exceptional beer time and time again.
Some of the features you can expect to see in this are:
- 304 food-grade stainless steel construction
- Rotating racking arm
- Cone-shaped bottom to trap unwanted sediment, resulting in a clear and clean beer
- Silicone gasket around the lid with stainless steel straps to provide an airtight seal
- Hole at the top of the lid with a silicone stopper for an airlock (which are both provided)
This is yet another stainless steel conical fermenter that we’ve utilized many times. It’s reliable, long-lasting, and something we can’t recommend enough!
To learn more about this fermenter, click here.
The Case for a Conical Fermenter is Clear
After comparing the benefits of a stainless steel conical fermenter vs. a plastic bucket, it’s easy to see why a stainless conical fermenter is the best choice. You work hard to craft the best beer possible, so why not give it the best chance at turning out exceptional? Make the switch today and you’ll never worry about buying multiple plastic buckets again!