Saw a post earlier about stainless barrels and it renewed my interest. However, having never really SEEN one, how suitable would they be as a fermenter? My concern is how the bottom is attached. Of course they're suitable for transporting food products, but they're never reused for food. If there's a seam along the bottom, I'm concerned about bacteria getting in there. Thoughts?
Stainless barrels as fermenters?
- Thread starter mpcluever
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Should be fine. It's not going to harbor bacteria any more than a plastic bucket would. Clean and sanitize them and you should be fine. 
I have seen 2 types. Sanitary barrels that have a formed bottom the is butt welded a bit up the shell and standard ones that have the normal rolled bottom. Going from the fact they call one sanitary I think they have identified the same issue as you have, but since they are SS could you heat them up with a propane tourch (or your brewing burning) to cook any nasties hiding in the seam?
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