Commercial fermentation in plastic fermenters

[Rafaj Ondrej]

I am developing a recipe which, in part use “bugs” that do not play nice with metals. Would you guys know if the regulatory bodies could have a problem with a use of plastic fermenter vessels and what would we have to do to get a “pass” on them in a small scale (100 x 200l drums probably)?

 

[dad_of_jon]

surely food grade plastic fv's should be ok? problem will be ensuring the bugs don't survive cleaning and upsetting a different brew. If however you're going to brew the same thing then that's less of a concern.

 

[Drunkula]

It's fine. Loads of breweries use 1000 litre IBCs. Brewdog even use them for some stuff.

 

[Hoddy]

I am more concerned that you are planning on making a beer that uses bacteria you say doesn't play nicely with metal???? What on earth cannot be used in a stainless steel container but is ok in plastic???

Please explain further.

 

[johncrobinson]

Hoddy has a point here.
But to answer your question "food grade" containers should be fine. Its hygene the inspectors will be worried about.

 

[Druncan]

HDPE 2 in the recycle triangle + BPA free + Fork and glass symbol to be safe?

 

[Leon103]

I am more concerned that you are planning on making a beer that uses bacteria you say doesn't play nicely with metal???? What on earth cannot be used in a stainless steel container but is ok in plastic???

Please explain further.

Some sort of beer that won't be going into a keg.. .

 

[Rafaj Ondrej]

Kombucha shandy is something that could describe it :) ... the kombucha bacteria hates metal

 

[hedgerowpete]

i would go for standard 220l food grade barrels for easier handling or if a fork trunk or pumped system is availible then i would use IBC's.

considering the ones we have at work as concentrated nitric acid in them i cant see your brew causing an issue