HOW TO GET THE BEST PERFORMANCE FROM YOUR FERMENTER

Correct care and maintenance of your HDPE polyethelene brewing fermenter is important to ensure a long life.   With the smooth surface being on the inside, a non abrasive method of cleaning is recommended.  If cleaned immediately after bottling, stains from fermentation are easily removed with a soft cloth and warm water.  

(Although boiling water is a steriliser, be aware that it will make the polyethelene  brittle, greatly reducing the life of the fermenter)

IS YOUR FERMENTER SEALING? 

The most common problem that can occur with any fermenter, be it a clip on lid or a screw lid with O Ring is that it does not seal 100% and gas from fermentation escapes  around the lid, rather than pushing through the water in the airlock.  

If your airlock shows no sign of fermentation 12-24 hours after you have pitched the yeast, then check inside your fermenter.  It is very easy to tell visibly if your beer is fermenting, as in the initial stages there will be a yeast froth on the surface of the liquid.  

If this is the case, and you have no gas escaping through the airlock, then you definitely have a leak.. Check all seals and re-tighten lid.

The one part  of your fermenter that needs  regular maintenance and renewing is the rubber sealing O ring in the lid of the fermenter.    Keep a constant check that the O ring is a complete circle  and not broken at the join. Also check that rubber grommits have not perished.

DO YOU NEED A NEW FERMENTER? 

It's time to replace your fermenter if it is showing any of the following faults. 

Gas refuses to escape through the airlock during fermentation.  The inside of the fermenter is scratched and damaged. There are stains on the inside surface that cannot be removed  or the fermenter smells musty and cleaning and airing does not improve. 

Beware of second hand fermenters as you could be buying a problem.