Fermenters
Details on configuring and managing fermenter equipment in Brewgenix.
Fermenters are the vessels you use to ferment your wort into beer. Tracking them in Brewgenix lets you maintain an accurate inventory of your fermentation equipment, record their physical and operational specifications, and capture which features each vessel has - useful for planning batches, scheduling cleaning cycles, and documenting your brewery setup.
Quick Start
- Navigate to Settings → Fermenters in your brewery account.
- Click + Add Fermenter to open the create form.
- Enter at minimum a Name, Type, and Material.
- Optionally fill in physical specs, operational limits, and equipment features.
- Click Save - the fermenter is now part of your brewery inventory.
Managing Fermenters
The fermenters list supports:
- Search - filter by name in real time using the search input.
- Detail view - click any fermenter to open its detail page, showing quick stats, specifications, and features at a glance.
- Edit - update any field from the detail view or the edit dialog.
- Delete - remove a fermenter you no longer use. This action cannot be undone.
Field Reference
Basic Information
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes | A unique, recognisable label for the vessel. Examples: Conical #1, Primary Fermenter, Barrel #3. |
| Type | Yes | The vessel style. Choose from Conical, Bucket, Carboy, Barrel, Tank, or Other. |
| Material | Yes | Construction material. Choose from Stainless Steel, Plastic, Glass, Wood, or Other. |
| Manufacturer | No | Brand or maker of the fermenter. |
| Model | No | Specific model name or number for the vessel. |
| Description | No | Free-text notes on this fermenter - origins, quirks, intended use, or any other relevant details. |
Physical Specifications
Dimensional and weight data for your vessel. All fields are optional but useful for planning storage space, handling, and shipping.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Capacity (L) | Total internal volume of the vessel. |
| Working Capacity (L) | The practical maximum fill volume, allowing for headspace and foam. Typically 80–90% of total capacity. |
| Height (cm) | Overall height of the vessel including any fittings or lid. |
| Diameter (cm) | Outer diameter of the vessel body. |
| Weight (kg) | Empty weight of the vessel. |
Operational Specifications
Limits and ranges that define the safe operating envelope for the vessel.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Max Pressure (PSI) | Maximum pressure the vessel is rated to hold safely. Relevant for pressure fermenting, spunding, or carbonation. Standard non-pressure vessels are typically 0 PSI. |
| Min Temp (°C) | Lowest temperature the vessel can safely operate at. Useful for glycol-chilled or outdoor fermenters. |
| Max Temp (°C) | Highest temperature the vessel can safely operate at. |
Equipment Features
Checkboxes indicating which physical features this vessel has. These fields are informational and help you plan which batches or fermentation styles each vessel is suited to.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Thermowell | The vessel has a dedicated port for inserting a temperature probe, allowing accurate in-beer temperature monitoring without exposing the probe to external conditions. |
| Sample Port | A valve or fitting allowing you to draw small samples during fermentation without opening the vessel and risking oxidation or contamination. |
| Drain Valve | A bottom or lower-side valve for draining the fermenter quickly and cleanly, often used to remove yeast slurry. |
| Airlock | Fitted with an airlock or blow-off tube attachment for passive CO₂ venting during active fermentation. |
| Pressure Relief | A pressure relief valve (PRV) or spunding valve fitting that automatically vents gas above a set pressure. |
| Cooling Jacket | The vessel has a built-in glycol or water cooling jacket for active temperature control. |
| Heating Element | The vessel has a built-in heating element, useful for maintaining fermentation temperatures in cold environments. |
Tips & Best Practices
- Set Working Capacity accurately - it prevents you from accidentally over-filling a vessel when scaling a recipe to a specific fermenter.
- Record Max Pressure even for vessels you don't currently pressure ferment in. Knowing the rating prevents accidents if you experiment with closed transfers or pressure carbonation later.
- Use the Description field to note cleaning history, seal replacement dates, or any known issues with the vessel.
- Barrels and wooden vessels should have their material set to
Woodso they can be distinguished from other vessel types when reviewing your inventory.