A 5 bbl stackable conical fermenter is a practical unit for breweries that need to expand fermentation capacity without expanding the building footprint. These tanks are designed with a top manway and a cone angle that supports yeast collection, which matters when you are harvesting yeast or dropping trub. The stackable configuration is not just about saving floor space—it also changes how you route glycol, CIP, and beer lines. We build these tanks with a dimpled cooling jacket on the cone and lower cylinder, and we position the jacket so it does not interfere with the manway or the racking arm.

Material selection is often the first real decision. SUS304 is fine for most ales and lagers. If you produce sour beers or use aggressive cleaning agents, SUS316L is the better choice. We TIG weld all internal seams, then passivate and polish to a sanitary finish. The exterior can be brushed or mirror polished depending on your brewhouse aesthetic. The cone is typically 60 degrees, but we can adjust the angle for specific yeast flocculation characteristics or if you plan to use a hop gun.

Cooling capacity is another area where we see mistakes. A 5 bbl tank with a single jacket zone may struggle during crash cooling if the glycol is warm. We usually recommend two cooling zones—one on the cone and one on the lower cylinder—controlled by separate solenoids. That gives you better control during fermentation and helps avoid overshooting your target temperature. The working pressure is typically 15 psi, but we build to 30 psi if you plan to carbonate in the tank. The safety valve is set accordingly, and we include a pressure gauge and a sample valve as standard.

CIP is straightforward with a rotating spray ball mounted in the manway. We can also add a dedicated CIP port on the top dish. For connection, the racking arm is usually a 1.5-inch tri-clamp, and the glycol inlet/outlet are 1-inch NPT or tri-clamp depending on your preference. Small brewpubs often order these tanks in pairs and stack them two high. If you are a commercial brewery, you might use them as unitanks or as bright beer tanks after fermentation. The stackable design requires a frame or a mezzanine that can handle the loaded weight. A 5 bbl tank full of beer weighs around 1,800 kg, so the floor loading and the stacking brackets need to be engineered properly.

We have seen customers order a stackable tank without checking the ceiling height. A 5 bbl stackable fermenter with legs and a manway often needs at least 2.8 meters of clearance when stacked. Also, consider how you will access the top tank for dry hopping or sampling. A catwalk or a portable ladder is not ideal. We can design the tank with a side manway if overhead space is tight, but that complicates the stackability. These are the kinds of details we discuss before sending a quote.

Technical Specifications

FAQ

Can I stack three tanks high? We do not recommend it for 5 bbl tanks. Two high is standard. Three high requires a structural frame and a detailed engineering review.

What is the lead time? Typically 6 to 8 weeks for a standard 5 bbl stackable fermenter with two cooling zones.

Do you provide a warranty? Yes, 3 years on the tank body and 1 year on valves and fittings.

Can I use this tank for carbonation? Yes, if you specify the 30 psi working pressure option and the appropriate safety valve.

When you are ready to specify a 5 bbl stackable conical fermenter, tell us your batch size, beer type, number of fermentation tanks and available space. We can recommend the tank volume, cooling area and configuration for your brewery.