Pajo Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 We are looking at getting a small 1000 litre fermenter - here in Europe Cypress wood is not easy to get, but oak fermenters are. Has anyone any experience of using an oak fermentation tank? We are in a temperate area, so not worried about excessive heat and cold, just worried about bacterial infections etc with low abv in an oak tank. Should we just go for stainless? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artisan Still Design Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 if it has a closing top, you can stick a steam wand in it to sterilize after each use. 145 for 15 minutes or 165 is instantly sterilized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pajo Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Good point, thank you. And if it's open - which it might be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artisan Still Design Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 temporary lid to go on top during sterilizing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pajo Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Yup that would work. Anyone got an alternative to heating a 1000 litres of water? Anyone using an oak fermenter? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSpye Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I'll say the same thing here that I say to everyone on this topic. We've been distilling spirits for hundreds of years. We've had pretty, shiny, expensive, insulated, jacketed, temperature controlled stainless steel fermenters for a few decades. Part of the craft movement is capturing the essence of legacy ingredients, process and taste profile - while distancing ourselves from machined, mass-produced spirits. To me, all this as relates to fermentation vessels is an easy call. It's the one part of the process that you really shouldn't have to over-think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pajo Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Very true, which is why I'd love to use wood - but the knowledge of how to use/clean/live with wooden tanks has passed on, do I need to worry marauding bacteria? I have no idea, but I'd like to know before I go to the considerable expense of buying one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSpye Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 As has been mentioned, cleaning is pretty easy. I gather you're overseas, so you'll have to do some interpretive shopping, but this device, available here from Home Depot, costs all of $139. It's a basic electric steam cleaner. That's all you need. Steam clean the wood between batches and there's no reason your bacterial exposure would be any higher than with any other fermenting system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pajo Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 Funny how the best solutions are the simple ones. Thank you both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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