Sooner or later, every homebrewer reaches a point where he needs to think about how he views the art of beermaking. Some home beermakers are content with allowing their homebrewing to remain simply a hobby. These are brewers who enjoy homemade beer, but simply don’t make it all that often. They also aren’t necessarily interested in investing a lot of time and money into their hobby, preferring to stick with readymade kits and simple, inexpensive recipes and equipment.

Then you have the truly dedicated, serious homebrewer. He is someone who wants to take his beermaking prowess all the way and is willing to invest as many hours and resources as necessary to get where he wants to be. He also probably dreams of owning a really wonderful, efficient collection of stainless steel brewing equipment, but the question is… what should his first investment be?

Many homebrewing experts agree that one of the most beneficial pieces of brewing equipment any beermaker can buy is a conical beer fermenter. Here are just a few reasons why.

1. A conical beer fermenter helps keep your beer pure.

Any beermaker with experience understands that it really doesn’t take much to completely ruin an entire batch of beer. Really, just a few bacteria or a minute amount of contamination is all it takes to turn your brew from stellar to terrible. Ordinary fermenting vessels can contain welding and seams that easily trap bacteria even if you are thorough in your cleansing routine. However, a conical beer fermenter is truly seamless, the better to prevent this problem. This type of fermenter can be more expensive as a result, but the frustration and effort it saves the homebrewer is well worth it to anyone who is serious about their craft.

2. A conical beer fermenter is built to last.

Your average conical beer fermenter is made from a durable metal that is truly built to last, meaning you will probably never have to replace it again at any point in your lifetime. Some are made of aluminum and those are perfectly fine if you’re on a strict budget. However, the very best, most efficient fermenter is made of stainless steel instead. Not only will the steel resist damage and scratching better than the aluminum, but it will produce a better, cleaner beer as well.

3. A conical beer fermenter covers all the bases.

When you choose a premium stainless steel conical beer fermenter, you’re really choosing a piece of equipment that is top shelf in every way. Many models come complete with top of the line features like rotating mechanical arms that optimize the brewing process and heavy-duty lids that feature ultra-secure hatches and sealing mechanisms. They truly cover all the bases, the better to provide the serious homebrewer with a product he can be proud of and serve to his friends with a smile on his face.

Also, remember that you get what you pay for when it comes to fermenting vessels! Be sure to go with a trusted and well-respected name like Blichmann to be sure you’re getting the very best possible value in the vessel you choose.