Stainless Steel Conical Beer Fermentation Tanks

These tanks are built for breweries that need reliable temperature control from pitch to crash cooling. Sizes cover 500 L, 1000 L, and 2000 L, with jacketed cones and bodies. The vessel works as a primary fermenter, secondary fermenter, or bright tank depending on pressure rating and accessories.

Material choice usually starts with SUS304. When chloride exposure is high, or when brewing sour beers or using aggressive CIP chemistry, 316L on product contact surfaces is worth the cost. We TIG weld with full penetration where required, then pickle and passivate. Interior finish is typically 0.4–0.8 µm Ra; exterior can be brushed or mirror polished. Most ales use a 60° cone, while 90° cones help with lager yeast cropping and dry hopping.

Cooling and Pressure

Dimple or channel jackets on the cone and lower cylinder remove heat during active fermentation. Glycol enters through DIN or tri-clamp ports. A separate jacket on the upper cylinder helps control diacetyl rest and crash cooling. Working pressure might be 1.5–3 bar, with a safety valve and pressure gauge. Never rely on the tank alone for carbonation unless it is rated and tested for the target pressure.

Typical Specifications

Applications

Craft breweries use 500 L and 1000 L tanks for pilot batches and seasonal releases. 2000 L units fit small commercial breweries and brewpubs with 10–20 bbl annual output. Beverage producers also use them for kombucha, cider, and cold brew. Space, ceiling height, and glycol capacity often decide the final layout more than tank volume alone.

FAQ

How do I choose volume? Match batch size to fermenter working volume, not gross volume. Leave 20–25% headspace for krausen.

Why conical bottom? It collects yeast and trub, making dumping and harvesting easier. A 60° cone suits most ales; 90° helps with lagers and heavy dry hopping.

How is CIP done? Use a spray ball in the dome, run caustic and acid cycles, then sanitize. Tri-clamp fittings and sanitary welds keep soil from hiding.

What connections are needed? Glycol in/out, CIP, racking arm, sample valve, pressure relief, blow-off, and dry hop port. Confirm thread and clamp standards before fabrication.

Before requesting a quote, prepare batch size, beer style, number of tanks, available floor space, ceiling height, glycol temperature, and local pressure rules. Those details determine jacket area, insulation, valve package, and shipping split. 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.