As a drink made from fruits through the fermentation process, fruit wine is deeply loved by consumers for its unique aroma, rich taste, and diverse varieties. In the process of fruit wine brewing, fermentation is the core link that determines the quality of fruit wine, and the fermentation tank is the key equipment in this process. It not only provides a suitable growth environment for fermentation microorganisms but also ensures the stability and efficiency of the fermentation process by controlling temperature, oxygen, pressure, and other conditions.
Table of Contents
What is a stainless steel fruit wine fermentation tank?
A stainless steel fruit wine fermentation tank is a container specially used for fruit wine fermentation and brewing, made of food-grade stainless steel. It completes the fermentation process by providing a closed environment so that the juice is fully in contact with the yeast. It can support the production of various types of fruit wine, such as wine, cider, and green plum wine, and is widely used in industrial and small workshops for fruit wine production.
Features of stainless steel fruit wine fermentation tanks
- Strong corrosion resistance: Stainless steel has good corrosion resistance to acidic substances in fruit wine, which can prevent the reaction to producing undesirable substances and keep the fruit wine pure.
- Good sealing: The tank body has strong sealing, which can effectively prevent oxygen from entering, reduce the oxidation of fruit wine, and maintain the fermentation quality.
- High-pressure resistance: Suitable for a variety of fermentation processes, including high-pressure fermentation.
- Smooth inner wall: The inner wall is polished and easy to clean to avoid residual substances from breeding bacteria.
- Temperature control performance: Equipped with a jacket or coil, the fermentation temperature can be controlled by water or refrigerant to meet the optimal temperature requirements for fruit wine fermentation. Equipped with a temperature probe and display, the fermentation temperature is monitored in real-time to ensure a stable fermentation process.
- Easy to operate: equipped with manhole, cleaning port, and sampling port, easy to clean, sample, and inspect. It can be equipped with automatic equipment such as automatic stirring, exhaust, and feeding system to improve production efficiency.
- Versatility: In addition to fermenting fruit wine, it can also be used for the production of other fermented beverages or foods, such as beer, rice wine, etc. One can have multiple uses, suitable for small and medium-sized production enterprises or multi-variety production.
Classification of stainless steel fruit wine fermentation tanks
Classification by structural design
- Open fermentation tank: The top can be completely opened, which is convenient for putting in raw materials and cleaning, and is usually used for small-scale or experimental fermentation.
- Closed fermentation tank: The top and bottom are sealed to prevent external pollution, suitable for large-scale production, and can better control the temperature and pressure during the fermentation process.
Classification by function
- Ordinary fermentation tank: Used for basic fruit wine fermentation, without special additional functions, suitable for the production of general fruit wine.
- Temperature-controlled fermentation tank: Built-in heating or cooling device, that can accurately control the fermentation temperature, suitable for fruit wine fermentation with strict temperature requirements.
- Gas-controlled fermentation tank: Equipped with a gas control system, it can adjust the oxygen or carbon dioxide content required during the fermentation process, suitable for some fermentation processes that require a special atmosphere.
Classification by stirring method
- Non-stirring fermentation tank: No stirring device is set, mainly relying on the natural fermentation process, suitable for some traditional or natural fermentation methods of fruit wine production.
- Stirring fermentation tank: Equipped with a stirring device, it can continuously or intermittently stir the fermentation liquid to enhance the contact between juice and yeast and is often used to accelerate the fermentation process and improve yield and quality.
Classification by fermentation method
- Static fermentation tank: no or little stirring is required during the fermentation process, suitable for the brewing process of some fruit wines, and relatively simple.
- Dynamic fermentation tank: equipped with a stirring device, used to continuously stir the fermentation liquid to maintain a uniform fermentation effect, suitable for fruit wine production that requires higher fermentation control.
Classification by cleaning method
- Manual cleaning type fermentation tank: usually used on a smaller scale and requires manual cleaning.
- Automatic cleaning type fermentation tank (CIP system): equipped with an automatic cleaning device, which can clean the interior through the pipeline system, suitable for large-scale production and convenient hygiene management.
Structure of fruit wine fermentation tank
- Tank body: Made of food-grade stainless steel, the shape is generally cylindrical, and the bottom can be designed as a conical or flat bottom to facilitate the discharge and cleaning of materials.
- Stirring paddle: The tank is usually equipped with a stirring paddle for continuous stirring during the fermentation process to ensure full contact between microorganisms and nutrients and improve fermentation efficiency.
- Drive system: The stirring device is driven by a motor and connected to the stirring shaft through a reducer to realize the rotation of the stirring paddle.
- Temperature regulator: used to adjust the water temperature entering the thermostatic tank to ensure that the temperature of the solution meets the requirements.
- pH value meter: used to measure whether the acidity and alkalinity in the solution meet the requirements to ensure the optimal pH environment during the fermentation process.
- Pressure pump: used to realize the circulation and pressurization of the liquid in the fermentation tank.
- Jacket: located outside the tank body, used to heat or cool the material in the tank. The upper part of the jacket is provided with a steam inlet and a cooling water outlet, and the lower part is provided with a cooling water inlet and a condensate outlet.
- CIP (cleaning in place) system: convenient for equipment cleaning.
- SIP (Steam in Place Sterilization) system: used to kill pathogenic bacteria that may exist in the material and ensure a sterile environment during the fermentation process.
The role of fruit wine fermentation tanks in the brewing process
- Fermentation process control: Stainless steel fruit wine fermentation tanks provide a sealed, temperature-controlled, corrosion-resistant environment so that the sugar in the juice is converted into alcohol under the action of yeast. By controlling parameters such as temperature, humidity, and ventilation, the fermentation speed and wine flavor can be effectively adjusted.
- Prevent pollution: Stainless steel materials have antibacterial and corrosion-resistant properties, which can effectively prevent external pollutants from entering the fermentation environment and ensure the purity and stability of the wine.
- Ensure the quality of fruit wine: Stainless steel fermentation tanks can not only effectively control the fermentation temperature, prevent fermentation out of control or inefficiency caused by too high or too low temperature, but also avoid the odor in the juice caused by contact with other materials, and ensure the taste and quality of the final product.
- Easy to clean and maintain: The surface of stainless steel is smooth and not easy to accumulate scale, easy to clean and maintain, reducing hygiene risks and improving production efficiency.
- Increase production and efficiency: Due to the sealing and pressure resistance of stainless steel fermentation tanks, they can adapt to higher fermentation pressures, improve fermentation efficiency, and thus increase production.
- Long-term storage: After fermentation, the stainless steel fruit wine fermentation tank can also be used as a storage tank to prevent the fruit wine from being affected by the external environment during storage and maintain the quality and taste of the fruit wine.
Market demand for fruit wine fermentation tanks
- The rise of small winemaking companies: As consumers’ demand for personalized and customized products grows, many small winemaking companies and family workshops have gradually emerged. These companies have an increasing demand for production equipment, especially small and medium-sized fruit wine fermentation tanks.
- Trends in automation and intelligent equipment: Modern fruit wine production requirements for equipment have gradually shifted from traditional manual operations to automation and intelligence, and fermentation tanks have also developed in the direction of automatic temperature control, gas monitoring, and intelligent regulation. This makes the fermentation tank not only a production tool but also an important link in improving production efficiency and ensuring the quality of fruit wine.
- Improvement of environmental protection requirements: With the strictness of environmental protection policies, the emission of waste gas, wastewater, and other emissions during the fermentation process needs to be effectively managed, and the design of fruit wine fermentation tanks is also developing towards environmentally friendly equipment, such as energy saving and consumption reduction, and reducing waste emissions.
FAQ
How to choose the size of a stainless steel fruit wine fermentation tank?
The size of the stainless steel fruit wine fermentation tank should be determined according to the production scale and fermentation volume. Generally speaking, small-scale family winemaking can choose a tank with a capacity of several dozen liters, while large-scale commercial production requires a tank with a larger capacity. At the same time, the size of the tank should also consider factors such as fermentation time, yeast type, and fermentation temperature.
Is temperature control of the fermentation tank important?
Very important. Different types of yeast have different temperature requirements. Too high or too low a temperature will affect the fermentation efficiency of yeast and the quality of fruit wine. Usually, the fermentation temperature should be kept between 18°C and 24°C, and the specific temperature should be adjusted according to the type of fruit wine and the requirements of yeast.
What is the price of a stainless steel fruit wine fermentation tank?
The price of a stainless steel fruit wine fermentation tank varies according to capacity, material, function, and brand. The price of a small household fermentation tank is about a few hundred to a few thousand yuan; the price of a large commercial fermentation tank may range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of yuan. The specific price needs to be confirmed according to actual needs.
Get a turnkey solution for brewery equipment
If you plan to open or expand the brewery, you can contact Micet Craft directly. Our engineers will design and manufacture brewery equipment according to your brewing process. Of course, we will also provide you with a complete turnkey solution. Also, if you plan to expand the brewery, we will provide you with customized solutions.