Who is using a copper fermenter?

I'm not familiar with people using copper fermenters. Copper works fine for a kettle (commercial breweries do this) or things like a wort chiller because of the relatively short contact time. I believe that copper in high concentrations is toxic to yeast though, so it would make a fairly poor choice for any long term storage, like a fermenter.

John.

wouldn't a copper fermenter cost more than a stainless steel anyway?

I do not know of anyone using a ~copper~ conical fermenter. The person who posted a article on building a copper conical e-mailed me that he was no longer using it. I did not ask why. I suggest everyone print off a copy of the article

because it is well-written and the math is perfect.

My take on conical fermenters is that they are absolutely terrific IF you can afford a one of them. You can get lower prices at

U.S. Plastics .....

Valves are not included. Look at the tanks because cleaning under the upper lip needs to be considered. Food-grade plastic is "high density polyethylene" (HDPE). These tanks are NOT food-grade plastic. They are "medium density polyethylene" (MDPE). Stands are extra.

Toledo Metal ......

Again valves are not included. Lids are extra. I found nothing about stands.

High Gravity

9 They put it all together. The price for a 6.5 gallon plastic conical is attractive. I found no information on type of plastic. But if I was looking for a 10 gallon plus stainless steel conical, I'd be talking with Toledo Metal.

Dick

I believe nowadays copper is used moreover as a cosmetic enhancement, such as "jacketed" fermenters. It looks good but isn't as durable under the rigors of brewing as in direct exposure to to the wort. It becomes too labor intensive to keep after it. I admit I use a copper pickup tube on the bottem of my mash tun/ lauter tun and my brew pot. After a few batches it's evident that I need to take it apart and clean all those related parts.

Steve

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Hi, Dick. That's for the great links. The tanks are not food-grade, so are they ok to use as beer fermenters? I'm not sure if you are dissing these tanks or recommending them? Thanks and good brewing!

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And furthermore, what do you think about this product from US Plastic Corporation?

Closed-Dome Polypropylene Tanks

One piece rotationally molded,cylindrical construction assures seamless, leakproof service. Large 6 1/4 inch fill well has threaded screw closure with EPDM gasket to reduce evaporation,odors,vapors and protects contents from contamination. A 2 inch buttress thread bung allows easy installation of adapter. Translucent,not UV resistant,graduated and complies with FDA Regulations 177.1520 for food service.

I am neither dissing them nor recommending them - just making sure you understand what they are offering you.

Do us all a favor and learn to use tinyurl.com. See tinyurl.com/ggcco

That is not a conical fermenter and it is almost certainly not food-grade plastic. It starts at 30 gallons. Do you make 30 gal. batchs? I am building a home brewery for 10 gal. batches and have yet to meet anyone who brews more than 10 gallons at a pop.

Dick

I'm sorry if I misunderstood. Would these tanks be appropriate for ferementing beer? Is "food-grade" the same as "beer-wort" grade"?

Sorry. I though it might be easier to write out the stuff directly, rather than send people off to another site. I don't care much for internet shortcuts so I won't go off to that "tiny url" place. No disrespect intended.

Does the shape really matter?

and it is almost certainly not

I'm unclear about the "almost certainly not" part

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Thanks for yer quick reply to my query. I do NOT make 30 gal. batches but I WOULD LIKE to. Really.

Has anyone out there ever heard of ANY homebrewer who made MASSIVE amounts of homebrew? Thanks!

Our club has access to some equipment that allows us to boil about a 50-gallon batch.

I LOVE YOUR CLUB! I LOVE YOUR CLUB! I LOVE YOUR CLUB!