Plastic vs Stainless Fermenters

[Rob2010SS]

So, my birthday is coming up and my wife asked me to put together a list that she can share with our moms. One of the things that I put on that list was the SS Brew Bucket, pictured below....

I started looking at other options of fermenters that have a conical bottom like that and started reading more about the fermentasaurus, pictured below...

There's a $110.00 price difference between the two. Is the brew bucket worth it or would the fermentasaurus be a better buy? I like the brew bucket OOOOOO SHINY, but if the fermentasaurus is better, I'm open to hear that as well.

All info welcome but if someone has both, would love to hear thoughts on each.

 

[user 40839]

Brew bucket is the better buy. Stainless is always preferable to plastic for durability, ease of cleaning and sanitizing. Besides which, they're buying it, not you so don't worry about the cost!

(That said, the dump port on the Fermentasaurus is nice.)

 

[PCL]

Stainless is way to go. Even those ultra hard plastic fermenters like above will scratch eventually and nooks and crannies for bacteria etc develop. In that case you may be buying another instead of the stainless which will last your whole brewing career.

When buying new equipment I’m always trying to envision several steps down the road. In this case the SS Brewtech will fit in a chest freezer converted into a temp control ferment chamber whereas the plastic teardrop shape will not.

 

[SEndorf]

Of course, buy what fits your system and budget.
But plastic WILL NOT SCRATCH.. ever... if you treat it right.
PBW is your friend, if you let it work overnight and don't rush to clean your fermenter. All you need is a hose with a spray nozzle.
If you have those sponges with the abrasive side, keep them far, far away from your fermenter.

 

[WBB]

Well they both will ferment your wort. It’s a toss up really. SS is great, I have two anvils and two glass carboys. When I get more fermenters, I’ll go SS again.

What do the independent craft brewers use?

 

[Blazinlow86]

There kinda different products though. Your comparing a plastic unitank to a stainless bucket. The brewbucket is the same as a plastic bucket in the sense that while easier to clean and has better durability it's still just a bucket and lid. I have no experience with the fermetasorus it will still give the conical advantages and it's also able to take some psi so you can do pressure fermentation and possibly carb in the vessel. So depends on what you're going for. Cheers

 

[Blazinlow86]

Well they both will ferment your wort. It’s a toss up really. SS is great, I have two anvils and two glass carboys. When I get more fermenters, I’ll go SS again.

What do the independent craft brewers use?

The professionals use a mix of both. Stainless conical/unitanks.... Lol

 

[Rob2010SS]

Thanks for all the info. I did not think about the fact that the fermentasauras was tall and would not fit in my chest freezer fermentation chamber, while the brew bucket would.

The other thing I like about the brew bucket is being able to take samples. I did read Brulosophy's review on it and when sitting in the chest freezer, it's impossible to get a sample from the sample valve. But I think I can work around that.

I'd also be able to use the brew bucket to do closed pressure transfers as well, which would be nice.

Thanks again for the info.

 

[Blazinlow86]

If it's too tall that's probably gonna make your choice pretty easy. I was just pointing out that the 2 are not really comparable. A stainless buckets only advantage over a plastic one is cleaning/durability. Have you looked at the anvil version. It's quite a bit better priced. Cheers

 

[Rob2010SS]

If it's too tall that's probably gonna make your choice pretty easy. I was just pointing out that the 2 are not really comparable. A stainless buckets only advantage over a plastic one is cleaning/durability. Have you looked at the anvil version. It's quite a bit better priced. Cheers

I have not looked at the anvil version. I'll check that one out! Nothing wrong with cheaper.

 

[ThirstyPawsHB]

I've been fermenting in nothing but plastic for about 250+ now. Too many myths out there. Just sanitize plastic and your fine. Changed from 6gal to 3gal batches so using homer buckets with spigots now. I'm drooling over the fermentasaurus. Brew pub is planned first. If you brew NEIPAs, its the way to go.

 

[Blazinlow86]

I've been fermenting in nothing but plastic for about 250+ now. Too many myths out there. Just sanitize plastic and your fine. Changed from 6gal to 3gal batches so using homer buckets with spigots now. I'm drooling over the fermentasaurus. Brew pub is planned first. If you brew NEIPAs, its the way to go.

I agree 100%. Unless your plastic is damaged it makes no difference to the end product. Cheers

 

[Rob2010SS]

I agree there's nothing wrong with plastic - if you can keep it in good shape. Considering I'm the kind of person that is on my 4th hydrometer after 17 batches, i don't really trust myself to not scratch plastic lol.

 

[ThirstyPawsHB]

Mine are all scratched. That's what Starsans is for.

Shoot a friend made his first limeade out of a homer bucket he used for mixing mortor. I was VERY leary but it came out fine after cleaning the **** out of it. We called it Construction Zone Limeade. Twas a family hit.

 

[marc1]

Have you looked at the kegmenter? I got mine from morebeer but i think Williams has them too. Stainless, capable of pressure fermentation and closed transfers. I put a clear beer floating dip tube in it and it is amazing.

 

[RPh_Guy]

Can someone fill me in on what all the hype is about with these $$$ fermenters?

I use ported Fermonsters and love them. I can see inside!

Sorry to hijack the thread.

 

[Rob2010SS]

1. Shiny
2. Pulling samples without introducing air
3. Closed/Pressure transfers from fermenter to keg
4. Last forever, if taken care of.
5. The bucket fits in my chamber.

Personal preference really. Does one NEED a stainless fermenter? Nope. You can find other fermenters out there that have these traits.

Big mouth bubbler (Lid sucks beyond belief)
Fermentasaurus (won't fit in chamber)

It's one of those luxury things that I don't think anyone needs, it really just depends on what you're willing to buy.

 

[Rob2010SS]

Have you looked at the kegmenter? I got mine from morebeer but i think Williams has them too. Stainless, capable of pressure fermentation and closed transfers. I put a clear beer floating dip tube in it and it is amazing.

I have not, but I'll have to check it out.

 

[RPh_Guy]

Thanks!
Pretty much what I thought. I'll stick with my fermonsters & silicone airlocks. There's definitely no shortage of other gadgets to buy.

Happy early birthday!

 

[Rob2010SS]

Thanks!
Pretty much what I thought. I'll stick with my fermonsters & silicone airlocks. There's definitely no shortage of other gadgets to buy.

Happy early birthday!

Thanks man!

 

[Blazinlow86]

Thanks!
Pretty much what I thought. I'll stick with my fermonsters & silicone airlocks. There's definitely no shortage of other gadgets to buy.

Happy early birthday!

I said the same thing. Then I ran out of other gadgets to buy....... Lol