Description
Variable Capacity Floating Lid Wine Fermentation & Storage Tank
This tank is designed for red wine, date cider, and fruit wine production where headspace control matters. The floating lid sits directly on the liquid surface, minimizing oxygen exposure during fermentation and storage. Variable capacity means you can adjust working volume without leaving large empty headspace, which is critical for small batches or partially filled tanks.
We build these tanks from 304 stainless steel as standard, with 316L available for high-acid or high-chloride environments. Shell thickness is calculated based on diameter and height, and all welds are full penetration, then ground and passivated. Interior surfaces are polished to a Ra < 0.8 µm to make cleanup straightforward and reduce the chance of biofilm formation. The floating lid is fitted with a food-grade EPDM seal, and the lid\’s structure is stiffened to prevent warping during repeated lifting and cleaning.
Applications are straightforward: you can ferment red wine with skins and punch-down, then use the same tank for storage or aging with the lid in place. Date cider and fruit wine producers use these tanks because they can process multiple small batches in one vessel by adjusting the floating lid position. That flexibility is not available with fixed-dome tanks.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value / Options |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 500 L – 20,000 L |
| Lid type | Floating lid with EPDM gasket |
| Material | SUS304 / SUS316L |
| Surface finish | Interior Ra ≤ 0.8 µm, exterior brushed |
| Working pressure | Atmospheric (vacuum rated to -0.5 bar) |
| Options | Temperature jacket, sampling valve, manway, CIP spray ball |
FAQ
Why use a floating lid instead of a fixed head?
It reduces the ullage space, so less oxygen is in contact with the wine. This helps prevent oxidation and volatile acidity during long storage.
Can I use this tank for primary fermentation?
Yes. The floating lid can be locked open during the fermentation peak, then lowered once CO2 production subsides.
How do I clean a variable capacity tank?
If you fit a CIP spray ball, you can rotate the lid aside and clean the vessel in place. For smaller tanks, the lid is easily lifted by hand or with a hoist.
Selecting the right tank
Before sending an inquiry, know your batch size and whether you need temperature control. Also tell us the available ceiling height if you plan to install the tank indoors. With those numbers, we can recommend the correct diameter, height, and cooling area.
Tell us your batch size, wine type, number of tanks and available space. We can recommend the tank volume, cooling configuration and lid design for your cellar.
Related products
2000L Stainless Steel Floating Lid Wine Fermentation Tank with Cooling Jacket
A 2000 L stainless steel floating lid tank for wineries that need variable-capacity storage, blending and small-lot fermentation. Dimple cooling jackets on the side wall and bottom hold temperature during settling and cold stabilization, while the inflatable-gasket lid keeps headspace small as the tank is drawn down. Built in 304 or 316L with CIP fittings.
5000L Stainless Steel Floating Lid Wine Tank | Variable Capacity Fermenter
Built for cellars that need flexible capacity, this 5,000 L floating lid tank stores full lots or partial volumes under an inflatable EPDM gasket that seals against the shell. 304 stainless construction, 2.0 mm shell, dished bottom, 400 mm manway, optional cooling jacket and CIP spray ball. Tell us your lot sizes and cellar temperature for a configured quote.
2000L Variable Volume Wine Tank & Floating Lid Wine Fermenter
A 2000 L variable volume wine tank with a floating lid that seals against the wine surface, letting one vessel handle partial and full lots while cutting nitrogen use and oxidation risk. Built in SUS304 or 316L with dimple cooling jackets, sloped bottom, DIN outlets, thermowell and CIP spray ball. Not a pressure vessel.
5000L Red Wine Fermentation Tank, Floating Lid & Dimple Cooling Jacket
5000L red wine fermentation tank with floating lid and dimple cooling jacket. Built in SUS304 or 316L, it handles fermentation, maceration, and anti-corrosion storage in one vessel. The floating lid reduces headspace and oxygen pickup, while the dimple jacket controls must temperature. Available with CIP, racking arm, pressure/vacuum relief, and custom fittings for winery layouts.
Variable Capacity Wine Fermentation Tank with Floating Lid for Red Wine Aging
A variable capacity wine tank with a floating lid seals against the wine surface at any fill level, so you can ferment, age and store red wine across different batch sizes without a gas blanket. Built in SUS304 or 316L with pickled and passivated welds, inflatable EPDM or silicone lid gaskets, racking arm, drain, sample and vent ports.
5KL Conical Red Wine Fermenting Tank with Cooling Jacket for Commercial Winery
A 5,000-liter conical red wine fermenting tank with a dimple cooling jacket on cone and side wall. Built in SUS304 or 316L, TIG welded and passivated, with a 400 mm top manway, racking arm, sample valve and CIP spray ball. Optional inflatable floating lid for storage duty. Glycol jacket rated 1.5 bar.
Although there were a few minor issues, thanks to Polly’s help, it looks brilliant and has brought my little distillery quite a few new customers.
Very good！！I see now in my texting to you that in my excitement over having the installation here in the USA I totally forgot to give you and the company of ACE a very big compliment on the quality of the whole Installation!! It all looks fabulous and the way you packed it in the container was extraordinary!! I am very impressed with your company and want to say a big thank you to everybody who worked on my order!!
We have been using this still for a few batches now making whiskey, gin and a few other spirits and we are very happy with the results so far. The gear works well and gives good control during distillation. The spirit comes out clean and consistent from batch to batch and we have gotten the flavor profile we were looking for. It has also been easy to operate and maintain. It has been a great addition to our distillery and I’d definitely recommend it to other craft distillers looking for reliable equipment.”
Polly is the man! I highly recommend him and this products they produce! I’m very satisfied. she communicates very well and the quality of workmanship is excellent! Shipping was exceptional. Thannks Polly and team
It took 60 days from ordering to delivery, and it looks like a work of art. Thank you to Polly for her help.
It was quite a big job to put the distiller together, so I asked a friend to help me, and I managed to get it done in just eight hours. I’m really pleased with it – it looks brilliant.Ryan Murphy
We are so happy with our new copper distillation system from ACE Distillery Equipment. The equipment is of a fine quality, well crafted and beautifully finished.
The whole process from manufacturing, shipping, installation to commissioning was seamless. The ACE team were professional, responsive and very knowledgeable. They helped us complete the installation successfully and gave great technical support.
It still looks amazing in our distillery and does exactly what it says on the tin. We highly recommend ACE to anyone looking for reliable and high quality distillation equipment.
Thank you ACE team for the great work!”
I want to express my 100% satisfaction with Ace . The service was outstanding: quick, professional, and friendly. Polly provided excellent support throughout. The delivered 100 gallon copper pot still distillery equipment product perfectly meets my expectations and stands out fo r its excellent quality. I feel well taken care of and will recommend you without hesitation.
Thank you for the great service.
Best regards,
Oliver Brown
