円錐型発酵槽の利点は何ですか?

The gold standard for beer brewing is the conical fermenters, a tank with a bottom that tapers into a funnel. simplifies the home brewing process, saving you time, money, and storage space. Whether it is a 250 L conical tank for home brewing or a 10,000 L conical tank, it is an important piece of equipment for any brewery or beverage production facility. They are used to ferment and store a variety of beverages, including beer, wine, cider, and kombucha.

コニカル発酵槽とは何ですか？

A conical fermenter is a cylindrical tank with a conical bottom. Cone angles range from 60 to 90 degrees, with 60 or 70 degrees being the most common. The conical shape separates fermentation products from spent yeast and other solids, which collect at the bottom of the tank and can be removed through a valve at the conical bottom.

Conical fermenters are made of food-grade stainless steel and are available in a variety of sizes to meet the needs of different breweries and beverage production facilities. They are also equipped with various features such as temperature control systems, pressure gauges, and stirring devices to help ensure consistent and controlled fermentation.

Characteristics of conical fermentation tanks

• Food grade 304/316 stainless steel structure
• Double-walled cooling jacket with pits
• Inner surface 2B smoothness and passivation
• Extra large capacity, capable of 25% headspace fermentation
• sanitary three-clamp sampling valve
• トッププレッシャーまたはサイドシャドウレスマンホール
• センサー付きPT100温度サーモウェル
• Rotating rocker arm on cone
• Dry hop addition port 4/6inch
• 360° covering CIP spray ball
• Threaded ice water inlet/outlet
• 圧力計付きリリーフバルブ
• Lifting rod on the top edge of the tank
• 調整可能なボルトを備えた頑丈な脚
• Safety valve on top of tank
• 60° yeast pouring spout

円錐型発酵槽の利点は何ですか?

• The cone is a “single tank” which means you can do primary fermentation as well as aging/storage in the same vessel. When using a flat-bottomed fermentation vessel, you must transfer the beer to a second vessel to separate the sediment from the beer for aging. But, in a cone, you can open the valve at the bottom, allowing the sediment to drain out but leaving the beer behind.
• The conical shape of the fermenter allows yeast and sediment to settle at the bottom of the container. This makes it easier to collect and remove the yeast, which can then be reused in future batches or discarded as needed.
• Temperature control during fermentation is crucial as temperature fluctuations can affect the final product. Conical fermenters, especially those made of stainless steel, help maintain a consistent temperature throughout the process, ensuring optimal fermentation conditions.
• By having your fermenter higher than your bottling/kegging vessel, you can transfer the wort using only gravity without siphoning. Some closed-top fermenters even allow you to apply CO2 pressure to the top of the fermenter to force the beer out of the bottom and transfer.
• Compared with traditional fermentation vessels, the design of the conical fermentation tank makes it easier to clean and maintain. The smooth sloped surface allows for simple rinsing and disinfection, reducing the risk of contamination and improving hygiene.

コニカル発酵槽の種類

• Stainless steel: Stainless steel conical tanks are the workhorses of professional breweries, offering unparalleled durability, ease of cleaning, and corrosion resistance. They can handle a wide range of temperatures and pressures and are suitable for every brewing style.
• PET Plastic: PET plastic conical fermenters are lightweight and shatterproof, making them an cheap choice for home brewers. They also have the advantage of being transparent, allowing you to watch the fermentation process. But, PET plastic is scratched and may not be suitable for the high fermentation temperatures used in some beer types.
• Unitanks: These advanced conical tanks combine fermentation and serving functions into a single vessel. They come equipped with a jacket for temperature control and can be pressurized for carbonation, eliminating the need to transfer the beer to a separate keg or bottle. Unitank is great for space-saving setups, but is more expensive and requires a deeper understanding of operation.

タイプ	材料	CAPACITY RANGE	PROS	CONS
ステンレス鋼	ステンレス鋼	1 Gallon – 1000 Gallons+	Durable, Easy to Clean, Long Lifespan	Higher Cost
PET Plastic	Food-Grade PET Plastic	1 Gallon – 50 Gallons	Lightweight, Affordable, Transparent	Potential for Scratches, Not Ideal for High Temperatures
ユニタンク	ステンレス鋼	10 Gallons – 1000 Gallons+	All-in-one fermentation and serving tank, Pressure capable for carbonation	Complex to Operate, Higher Cost

The process of cone fermentation

The conical fermentation process itself is not different from using a cylindrical fermenter. But, the conical design simplifies several steps:

1. Wort transfer: After the wort is ready, transfer it to a sterilized conical fermenter.
2. Yeast pitching: Introduce the yeast strain of your choice at the appropriate temperature.
3. Fermentation magic: Let the yeast work its magic, converting sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. During this time, you may need to adjust the temperature depending on your yeast strain and desired beer style.
4. Sedimentation: After fermentation is completed, yeast and other particles will settle at the bottom of the cone. This process may take several days.
5. Transfer the clear beer (rack): Using the rack arms, extract the clear beer from above the sediment layer and transfer it to another container for conditioning, kegging, or bottling.

Precautions when using conical fermentation tanks

1. 徹底した滅菌：汚染を避け、発酵プロセスを成功させるためには、適切な衛生管理が不可欠である。コニカル発酵槽と関連器具は、使用前に必ず消毒する。
2. 温度に注意する：発酵中の温度に注意し、最適な状態を保つために必要に応じて調整する。
3. 排気パイプを使う：発酵によって大量の泡とガスが発生します。排気管を使うことで、余分な圧力を逃がし、混乱を防ぐことができる。
4. 酵母の回収：発酵槽の底から酵母を回収する際は、沈殿物を乱さないように優しく行う。
5. 使用後はすぐに洗浄する：発酵が終わったら、できるだけ早く円錐形発酵槽を洗浄して、残留物の蓄積を防ぎ、洗浄作業を容易にする。

よくあるご質問

Q: 自家醸造にコニカル発酵槽は必要ですか？

A: そうではありません。円筒形の発酵槽は、ホームブルワー、特に予算が限られている人やスペースが限られている人には理想的です。しかし、コニカルタンクには使いやすさとビールの透明度という大きな利点があります。

Q: どのサイズのコニカル発酵槽を買えばいいですか？

A: 理想的なサイズは、典型的なバッチサイズと醸造頻度によって異なります。また、使用可能なスペースも考慮してください。自家醸造家は5ガロンか10ガロンのコニカルタンクから始めます。

Q:コニカル発酵槽の洗浄方法

A: スタンドアームと蓋を含むタンク全体の洗浄には、すすぎ不要の消毒剤を使用してください。より効率的に洗浄するために、ラックアームを取り外してください。