If you've been looking to step up from fermenting in plastic buckets or carboys, this is an excellent choice for your next fermenter. Stainless steel is a much better option than glass or plastic, as it is extremely easy to clean and virtually lasts forever. There's also much less chance of contamination as stainless doesn't scratch like plastic. Over time, you'll get scratches in plastic fermenters from normal wear and tear, creating microscopic havens for bacteria. Meanwhile, glass carboys are always at risk of breaking which is something you will never have to worry about with stainless steel.
The Bucket Buddy is a great value if you're looking for a stainless steel fermenter with built-in heating control. If you live in a cold climate, ale fermentations may be a seasonal affair, as cold ambient temperatures can easily drive down the temperature of your wort below your yeast's optimal fermentation temp range. The Bucket Buddy offers a simple solution with an integrated heating element and digital temperature control. Program your fermentation temperature and if the temp drops below your set point the unit will gently heat your wort from the bottom up via the concealed element located in the base. For cooling, you can place the fermenter in a dedicated refrigerator or drill into the lid to install a Temp Twister Cooling Coil. A temperature controller probe can then be taped to the side of the fermenter to control your cooling source, or you can drill another spot in the lid for a thermowell.
Another advantage over carboys and plastic buckets is the domed base inside the fermenter which is great for yeast flocculation when fermentation is complete. The included racking arm will make it easy to transfer out every last drop of beer while leaving the yeast cake undisturbed. The entire racking arm and ball valve assembly is weldless, which means you can remove the assembly to clean and sanitize it between batches. You can even boil the assembly for added assurance that it's been sterilized.
To help maintain a steady temperature and cut down on power consumption, the Bucket Buddy pairs well with either the BrewZilla Neoprene Jacket or the FermZilla Insulating Jacket.
This unit comes standard with silicone tubing to transfer from the ball valve to your bottles or cans, as well as a stopper and airlock for the domed lid.
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