UNI-TANK / CYLINDROCONICAL FERMENTER

THE PRACTICALITY OF 304-GRADE STAINLESS STEEL UNI-TANKS

Uni-tanks are a clever way to grow your business in the marketplace, and they say a fool and his money are soon parted. I’d like to start by welcoming you to Prettech Canada’s website, where this article will give you some insight to the practicality of a 304-grade stainless steel uni-tank for your business.

PRETTECH 304-GRADE STAINLESS STEEL UNI-TANK

Clamps and gaskets, pressure gauge
4 stainless steel legs/ stainless leveling footpads
Interior and exterior finish polished
Interior finish to specification.
Exterior brushed, or mirror finish
Argon TIG Welds exterior shell

CYLINDROCONICAL FERMENTER / UNI-TANKS

A cylindroconical fermenter is a scaled-down version of what commercial brewers call a Uni-tank. The “Uni” refers to the fact that the beer can undergo primary fermentation and conditioning in the same tank. With flat-bottomed fermenters, the beer needs to pump from the fermenter to a conditioning tank. Uni-tanks are very popular in brewpubs and microbreweries — and a few years ago, homebrew-sized conical fermenters started appearing on the market.

The shape of a cylindroconical fermenter is a cylinder with a cone attached on the bottom. A port at the bottom of the cone lets you dump the yeast (and any other sediment) from the bottom of the vessel. Another port is found a little higher on the cone. This one allows you to draw off samples of beer or transfer the beer to another container.

ADVANTAGES OF THE UNI-TANK SYSTEM

There are many advantages to a stainless conical fermenter. The primary advantage was the ease of separating the yeast from the beer. With a bucket or carboy, you need to clean and sanitize a secondary fermenter and a racking cane. With a conical, you just open the dump valve for a second or two. Likewise, taking hydrometer samples is as easy as opening the transfer valve.

Another advantage is that most conical fermenters are made from stainless steel. Plastic bucket fermenters eventually get scratches and stains to the point that normal homebrew cleaning and sanitation practices may not render them sanitary. In addition, bucket fermenters may also start to retain some smells that won’t wash off. As such, bucket fermenters need to be replaced every so often. A stainless conical fermenter should last for years as it won’t absorb odours, and can be cleaned completely — leaving an inert surface that won’t react with or taint wine or beer.

Unlike stainless steel, the plastic in buckets is slightly permeable to oxygen, making them a poor choice for long-term conditioning (unless you’re making sour beers). Prettech Canada provides premier quality 304-grade stainless steel uni-tank solutions, at an amazing price, call now for more detailed pricing information at (604) 783-6003.