Fermentor vs Fermenter

[ocluke]

There seems to be confusion over the two words fermentor and fermenter.

I've encountered this problem a couple of times when selling or searching for a conical or other fermentation vessel on Craigslist, Ebay, Homebrewtalk, etc. Let me be clear, I'm not posting this to be a spelling nazi or anything. Only to get a better gauge of what spelling others are using.

A brief Google search brought me the following results:

• Dictionary.com: fermentor and fermenter
• TheFreeDictionary.com has the following definitions
• Brew-dudes posted this on the subject
• Wiki.answers.com has this to say
• Dictionary.com has a definition for fermenter, but no results for fermentor.

All that to say, it seems that the general consensus is that fermentor is the proper term used for a fermentation vessel, while fermenter is an agent causing fermentation (i.e. yeast), but is often used to refer to the vessel fermentation is happening in.

So, what say you? What's your vote?

 

[cooldood]

I vote you get another hobby lol

 

[Sideways]

You are correct. In the biotech industry I work in they are referred to as "fermentors".

 

[pelipen]

That would be consistent with the latin suffix -tor/tore., which became -or in english. Elevator, editor, fermentor, etc.

 

[Conan]

Google/ spellcheck gives me trouble either way I spell it, so I go with fermenter. I think fermentor looks like a Norse god or something. Based on that, though, maybe I'll switch. Kyle

 

[snowtires]

I always thought the stuff getting fermented was the fermentee

 

[ocluke]

That would be consistent with the latin suffix -tor/tore., which became -or in english. Elevator, editor, fermentor, etc.

I never put that connection together. This is helpful.

 

[B-Hoppy]

Will the "variety vs. varietal" discussion come next?

 

[jmf143]

I am the "Primary Fermenter" i.e. President of my brew club (self-titled as I was the founding memeber).

 

[cooldood]

That would be consistent with the latin suffix -tor/tore., which became -or in english. Elevator, editor, fermentor, etc.

does that mean all this time I thought I was masturbater when really I was a masturbator?

 

[Homercidal]

This is brought up in the book, Yeast. I still just use fermenter. I can never remember which is correct.

Ugh, now I'll probably start using them the right way. I'm such a conformor!