Comparing All Stainless Steel Fermenters

Author: Jesse

May. 13, 2024

Construction & Real Estate

Comparing All Stainless Steel Fermenters

When I started out homebrewing, I bought a kit that included everything I needed to make my first brew. There is nothing wrong with doing that, and in fact I would still recomend that be one’s first purchase when getting into homebrewing.

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However, once I used the kit to make around 10 batches of beer, I decided to upgrade some of my equipment to make life (and brew days) easier. After all, this was a hobby that I wasn’t planning on quitting any time soon. Home brewers are always looking to upgrade their equipment!

Glass and Plastic Fermenters

I quickly decided that I was going to replace the glass carboy with a metal fermenter first. Glass carboys have many problems, but the main ones include:

  • They are extremely breakable. If you’ve ever handled a wet glass carboy you know exactly what I mean. It is only a matter of time before that thing slips and your brew day is ruined.
  • Their top opening is too small. Trying to dry hop with a muslin bag in a glass carboy is like trying to squeeze a watermelon through a garden hose. Taking a gravity reading is a royal pain. Some have decided to purchase a Big Mouth Bubbler to give you more room at the top, but it is still glass.
  • They don’t have a bottom spigot. I brew a lot of hazy IPAs, and because of that, I keg a good portion of my batches. Being able to utilize a spigot at the bottom of the fermenter would be so useful in keeping oxygen away from my precious beer.

Plastic buckets are another common “starter kit” fermenter option. While many homebrewer’s have used plastic buckets for years (they are cheap), I wanted something I could sanitize easily and could withstand many years of abuse.

Choosing My Favorite Stainless Steel Fermenter

During my research, I found five major brands of stainless steel fermenters, all with varying degrees of features and quality. I’ve listed them below with every specification imaginable that I could find on each of them.

Chapman has created a budget-friendly entry level fermenter that had the racking port I was looking for, but it was missing the conical bottom to help me discard/save yeast. I did like that you could also boil in it, but I already had a brewing kettle.

Spike had some fantastic fermenters that were unfortunately way over my budget. There were even more steel fermenters at a price range well above these two that included Stout and Blichmann, but I didn’t show them here since their price tags were both well north of $400. I also knew I wanted one of the conical fermenters because I wanted to ensure my trub stayed below my spigot outlet.

That left Delta, SS Brewtech and Anvil as my final three options. I decided to choose Delta’s FermTank as my perfect solution for a couple reasons:

Update: You can read my full review on the Delta FermTank here.

Is Progressive Die Stamping or Transfer ...

If you’re responsible for designing or buying precision metal stamped parts, it’s important to understand when to use progressive die stamping versus transfer die stamping.

Historically, metal stamping companies performed one service - single stroke, short-run stamping. Today, precision metal stamping manufacturing techniques have evolved to meet the increasing demands of intricate components.

For simple parts, progressive or transfer metal stamping may not be the best option, but if you’re forming complex parts, one or the other is often the best choice. Both progressive and transfer die stamping is used to manufacture automotive, medical device, and electronic components.

How do you determine which method is best for your application? 

First, you need to understand the different production methods so you can better identify the pros and cons.

Progressive Die Stamping Basics

A progressive tool can make simple or complex parts in very large quantities. Metal, in coil form, is fed through a progressive tool with a series of stamping stations that is run in a punch press to perform the operations. The material is uncoiled, straightened and then fed in precise increments into the tool. As the material travels through the tool, each station performs an operation that changes the flat coiled stock into a metal stamping. The action of each successive station adds onto the work of the previous stations. Once the material has gone through the entire progressive tool, the stamping is complete.

A progressive die is complex to develop, involving high-tech sensors and piloting to ensure the metal is fed precisely to each station. A progressive die can perform a number of complicated operations, such as:

  • Blanking
  • Coining
  • Embossing
  • Extruding
  • Lancing
  • Notching
  • Perforating
  • Piercing
  • Piloting
  • Shaving
  • Forming
  • Staking
  • Drawing
  • Tapping

Progressive dies can produce multiples of the same part or multiples of different parts from the same die, as in a family die or multiple-up die. See Using Multiple-Up Dies for Metal Stamping to Save Money and Boost Volume to learn more.  A family die produces different parts that fit together in the finished product. Read The Advantages and Disadvantages of Running Metal Stamping Family Dies for details.

Transfer Die Stamping Basics

Transfer die stamping is similar to progressive die stamping, but the part is free from the metal strip.  Instead of feeding the component through a series of stations, a mechanical transport system (or performed manually) is used to move the part from station to station. Transfer dies can include a single die, a number of dies, or machines arranged in a row to form a production line.

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The transfer press process begins with a strip of metal fed into the first station where the blank is cut. The blank is then transferred mechanically(or manually) through various forming stations. Transfer die stamping is versatile, many part features such as chamfering, cut-outs, pierced holes, ribs, knurls and threading can be designed into the primary operations.

Some examples of when to use transfer die stamping include:

  • Large parts that require transfer among several presses for completion
  • Frames and structural components
  • Shells
  • Tube applications

How to Choose Between Progressive Die Stamping and Transfer Die Stamping

When deciding if progressive or transfer die stamping is your best option you should consider a number of variables.


Benefits of Progressive Die Stamping

Benefits of Transfer Die Stamping

Suitable for producing components small to large components

Generally considered best for producing large parts

Most economical for the largest production runs

More cost-effective for short production runs

Faster production speeds

Carried out with independent dies that don’t require a sheet guide or lifter

Best for tight tolerances

More flexibility of finishes

Only requires one setup to produce completed parts

Uses single or multiple dies that often offer the benefit of lower tooling costs

 


The best stamping method for your job will depend on the unique requirements of your application. By working with your precision metal stamping engineering team early in the process, they can help you determine which method is most suitable for your specific needs.

The best stamping method for your job will depend on the unique requirements of your application. By working with your precision metal stamping engineering team early in the process, they can help you determine which method is most suitable for your specific needs.

For more Galvalume Steel Coil for electrical cabinetsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

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