SEXY BEAST: Blichmann Engineering's stainless steel conical fermenters are alluring pro-sumer brewing vessels that top many homebrewers' gear wish lists.

If you’re brewing beer at home, chances are you’ve dreamed of owning your own stainless steel conical fermenter. This beautiful piece of gear has managed to achieve holy grail status among homebrewers; it’s perhaps the ultimate sign of your dedication to the hobby.

I’ve had those same dreams. For years, my brewing friends and I have looked toward the day when we could afford to add this pricey yet functional tool to our arsenal. After all, the oft-touted benefits of a stainless steel conical fermenter are many: It’s easy to clean; it’s designed specifically for fermentation (unlike a bucket or other vessel that is repurposed); it doesn’t scratch; it makes it really easy to dump and harvest yeast; it can be pressurized to easily force beer to another vessel; and (maybe most exciting of all) it looks professional and cool.

Well, that day I dreamed of has arrived. I turned 40 just over a week ago and yesterday was Father’s Day. Sometime last week my supportive wife suggested I get a conical for the big occasion and my heart went a-flutter. But then the soul-searching—and some Internet searching too—started. If it was some small-ticket item, I may not have given it a second thought. These 14-gallon fermenters I had my eye on, however, start at $599 retail. With tricked out (read: more convenient) plumbing options, they total over $800, while others with temperature-control options are priced much higher.

Was this something I really needed?

I ultimately came to the conclusion it wasn’t. Here’s why:

1. I believe it’s more of a luxury than a necessity. Sure, I’d be the envy of many a homebrewer if I had a conical, but frankly, I’d rather brewers be envious of my beer. Adding pricy gear to my setup isn’t going to make the latter happen. After much research, I don’t think a conical makes a huge difference in the end result. Yes, it gives you some different options to play with, but many, many brewers make award-winning beer with simpler setups than I already have. Despite my strong desire to acquire more gear (apparently a common affliction among homebrewers), I’m trying to stay focused on mastering the tools I do have.

2. I’m lazy. Renowned homebrewer and author Jamil Zainasheff brought this point up on a “Fermentors” episode of the Brew Strong podcast, and I can relate. Disassembling and reassembling all the valves and other plumbing after each brew session—which you should do to be as clean as possible—takes extra time and energy. I have enough difficulty finding time to brew as it is. I need to shorten my brew days, not lengthen them. Plastic buckets and Better Bottles, on the other hand, can be soaked and then swiped with a sponge (buckets) or swirled vigorously with a washcloth inside (Better Bottles); in other words, relatively low maintenance. (Full disclosure: I opt not to use glass vessels due to safety concerns.)

3. I need more than one fermenter. Sometimes I brew more than one beer at a time, or sometimes I’d like the opportunity to split one batch into two fermenters for A-vs.-B comparisons. Neither scenario is possible with one conical, unless I want to pick which beer is more deserving of the “good fermenter.” And dropping a ton of money on two or more conicals is not an option.

4. It’s expensive. Actually, it’s a matter of value. I could buy about 33 6-gallon Better Bottle fermentation vessels for the price of one 14-gallon Blichmann Fermenator with the Tri-Clamp Fittings. There are cheaper alternatives out there, like conicals from Stout Tanks and Kettles—still $500 for 14.5-gallon capacity and currently out of stock. (Incidentally I ruled out even cheaper plastic conicals for fear I would scratch them. Plastic buckets and Better Bottles can scratch too, but they can be replaced for a fraction of the cost.) Bottom line, the benefit-to-cost ratio isn’t high enough to sell me on a stainless steel conical fermenter. For my trusty Blichmann BoilerMaker brew kettle, on the other hand, I determined that—to me—the value was high enough to merit the purchase of a relatively expensive kettle.

For some, a fifth factor could be the need for temperature control, which usually goes hand-in-hand with conical fermenters. (What’s the point of having a great fermenter if you’re subjecting the beer inside to the whims of room temperature?) This could require the purchase of a fridge or freezer large enough to house a fermenter. You’ll also need some sort of temperature controller (basically a thermostat) to regulate temps inside your fridge or freezer. I am lucky enough to be getting a used but new-to-me refrigerator soon, so finding a fermentation chamber wasn’t going to be a problem. This additional equipment is definitely something to consider though if you are shopping for a conical fermenter.

If you’re sold on the idea of buying a conical, don’t let me dissuade you. At some point I may very well invest in one or more of the alluring vessels as my needs change. But for now, it’s not the piece of gear that I need to be spending my—or anyone else’s—money on.

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1. Improve Wort Transfer With Siphon, Whirlpool
2. Homebrewer, Heal Thyself: The Wort Stability Test
3. Brew Log, Aug. 23, 2010: Transferred Witbier & IPA