Why Modern Breweries Prefer Conical Fermenters

Introduction

In today’s brewing industry—whether it’s a small craft brewery or a large commercial facility—the choice of fermentation equipment has a direct impact on beer quality, production efficiency, and operational stability. Among all fermentation vessel designs, the conical fermenter (cylindro-conical tank) has become the global standard.

This article explains why the conical fermenter is so widely adopted and why it is considered essential for quality brewing.

1. What Is a Conical Fermenter?

A conical fermenter is a stainless-steel tank combining a cylindrical upper body with a cone-shaped bottom. During fermentation, yeast, proteins, hop residues, and solid particles naturally settle into the cone tip. This simple but highly functional geometry allows easy removal of trub and yeast without disturbing the beer.

In both craft and industrial brewing, the conical fermenter is regarded as the most hygienic, efficient, and brewer-friendly solution.

2. Key Advantages of Conical Fermenters (DEGONG Design Standards)

2.1 Efficient Sediment Separation & Yeast Recovery

The cone bottom concentrates yeast and other solids in one location, making removal extremely easy. Brewers can:

• Remove trub without transferring beer

• Collect healthy yeast for reuse

• Maintain cleaner and more stable fermentation

This directly improves beer clarity, reduces off-flavors, and lowers yeast costs.

2.2 Lower Risk of Oxidation & Contamination

With a conical design, both primary fermentation and secondary conditioning can occur in the same closed vessel. This eliminates multiple transfer steps, significantly reducing:

• Oxygen exposure

• Contamination risks

• Variations in beer quality

DEGONG conical fermenters are equipped with sanitary valves, sealed manways, and CIP systems, ensuring top-level hygiene.

2.3 Supports “Uni-Tank” Operation (Ferment + Condition in One Tank)

One of the biggest advantages of conical fermenters is that they allow breweries to ferment, mature, and clarify the beer in a single vessel. This reduces:

• Equipment cost

• Space requirements

• Labor time

• Complexity of brewery layout

For growing breweries, this design provides major long-term operational benefits.

2.4 Easy Integration of Temperature & Pressure Control

DEGONG conical fermenters are engineered with:

• Glycol cooling jackets

• Fully welded insulation

• Precision temperature probes

• Optional pressure-rated design (for carbonation & pressure fermentation)

Accurate temperature control ensures stable yeast activity, while pressure capability allows advanced brewing techniques such as spunding and natural carbonation.

2.5 Higher Production Efficiency & Cleaner Workflow

Thanks to gravity-assisted settling, yeast handling and beer transfer become smoother and more controlled. Brewers can:

• Dump yeast without opening the tank

• Perform closed beer transfers

• Minimize beer losses

• Achieve faster tank turnaround

This improves both production speed and beer consistency.

2.6 Sanitary Design & CIP Cleaning

DEGONG fermenters include:

• 360° rotating CIP spray balls

• Smooth welds and polished internals (Ra ≤ 0.4–0.6 µm)

• SS304/316L stainless steel from certified suppliers

• Hygienic fittings and tri-clamp connections

This ensures rapid, complete cleaning—critical for breweries producing multiple batches per week.

3. Why Conical Fermenters Are the Best Choice for Professional Brewing

For breweries focused on quality, consistency, and growth, conical fermenters offer unmatched advantages:

• Higher beer clarity and stability

• More efficient yeast reuse

• Reduced labor and operational costs

• Improved sanitation and safety

• Better consistency across batches

• Ability to support multiple beer styles

• Scalable for future expansion

This is why nearly all modern breweries—from craft startups to large commercial facilities—standardize on conical tanks.

4. Conical vs Flat-Bottom Fermenters (Quick Comparison)

Conclusion: For any brewery aiming for professional-grade production, conical fermenters are the superior choice.

5. What Makes a High-Quality Conical Fermenter — The DEGONG Standard

DEGONG fermentation tanks include the following engineering features:

✔ Premium Material

• SS304 / SS316L stainless steel

• Certified TISCO steel material

• Anti-corrosion and long service life

✔ Professional Cone Angle Design

• 60°–70° cone angle for ideal yeast settling

• Smooth discharge path

✔ Advanced Components

• Dual/Glycol cooling jackets

• Racking arm

• Bottom dump port

• Sampling valves

• CIP spray ball

• Pressure and vacuum safety valves

• Thermowell & probe

✔ High-Level Craftsmanship

• Internal mirror polishing

• TIG welded seams

• Automatic welding for jackets

• 100% hydro testing before shipment

✔ Optional Upgrades

• Fully automatic PLC control

• Pressure-rated Uni-Tank design

• Carbonation stone

• Sight glass

• Additional cooling jackets

Every tank is tested, photographed, and quality-inspected before shipment, in line with DEGONG’s global standards.