9 Best 55 Gallon Fermenters → (Buying Guide)
If you are looking to up your homebrewing game in terms of volume, acquiring a larger fermenter is a step you can take to make way bigger batches of delicious homebrew.
In this blog post I will review and compare 9 Various 55 Gallon Fermenters and they are as follows:
- Eagle 1656MBBG Straight-Sided Drum with Metal Band and Plastic Lid
- 55 Gallon Uline Food-grade Plastic Drum
- 55 Gallon Conical Fermenter (with Thermowell, Wheels and Butterfly Valves)
- 55 Gallon Conical Fermenter (with Butterfly Valves)
- 55 Gallon Conical Fermenter With Wheels and Cooling Coil
- Blichmann WineEasy 55 Gallon Fermenter
- 55 Gallon Kombucha Tank
- 55 Gallon Kombucha Fermenter Barrel
- 55 Gallon Blue Plastic Open Head Drum With Lid and Lever Lock
Read on as i compare different aspects of these 55 gallon fermenters and help you get a clear view of the various properties, to help you find a 55 gallon fermenter that suits you!
My Favorite 55 Gallon Fermenter
- Straight-sided drums are traditional style with horizontal ribs and similar top and bottom diameter dimensions.
- Constructed of blue blow-molded high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with UV inhibitors, is durable and lightweight, weather and chemical...
- For use with smaller non-damaged bottles, cans, carboys and 5-gallon pails of non-leaking hazardous material
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Read Also: What Is The Best Home Brewing Kit For Beginners?
Comparing Price, Material and Store
To give you an easy overview, all comparisons will be in the form of tables where you can easily see the differences or similarities between the different fermenters.
| Price | Material | Store | |
| Eagle 1656MBBG | ~90$ | Plastic | Amazon |
| Uline Food-grade Plastic Drum | ~76$ | Plastic | Uline |
| Conical Fermenter (Thermo, Wheels & Butterfly) | ~1350$ | Stainless Steel | Conical-fermenter |
| Conical Fermenter (Butterfly Valves) | ~1195$ | Stainless Steel | Conical-fermenter |
| Conical Fermenter (Wheels & Cooling Coil) | ~1575$ | Stainless Steel | Conical-fermenter |
| Blichmann WineEasy | ~900$ | Stainless Steel | Midwestsupplies |
| Kombucha Tank | ~1200$ | Stainless Steel | Conical-fermenter |
| Kombucha Fermenter Barrel | ~475$ | Stainless Steel | Bubbasbarrels |
| Blue Plastic Drum (Lid & Lever Lock) | ~110$ | Plastic | Bayteccontainers |
Most of the more expensive 55 gallon fermenters are sold through sites that may require you to sign up or inquire via email. However most cheap 55 gallon barrels are rather easy to acquire and one of these can even be bought on Amazon and shipped to you instantly.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Prices might not correspond with the actual price. Please take it as an estimation.
Comparing Height, Diameter and Weight
A simple overview of the dimensions of each fermenter:
| Height | Diameter | Weight | |
| Eagle 1656MBBG | 35″ | 24/21″ | 22.9 lbs. |
| Uline Food-grade Plastic Drum | – | – | 25 lbs. |
| Conical Fermenter (Thermo, Wheels & Butterfly) | 58″ | 22.5″ | Heavy |
| Conical Fermenter (Butterfly Valves) | 57″ | 22.5″ | Heavy |
| Conical Fermenter (Wheels & Cooling Coil) | 58″ | 22.5″ | Heavy |
| Blichmann WineEasy | 25.4″ | 31″ | 74 lbs. |
| Kombucha Tank | 47.5″ | 30.5/31.5″ | Heavy |
| Kombucha Fermenter Barrel | 34.5″ | 23.5″ | Medium-heavy |
| Blue Plastic Drum (Lid & Lever Lock) | 36.8″ | 22.9″ | 24 lbs. |
The weight of your choice of fermenter may be important to you, since moving it around can prove rather difficult if it isn’t fitted with wheels. The general height and diameter of these fermenters might also play a role into choosing which to buy, if you have a homebrewing “lab” where you have tight space.
Comparing Other Specifications
In this section you will find a table which shows whether or not the fermenter has wheels, legs or neither, which valves they might have and if they use a thermowell or not.
| Wheels/Legs | Valves | Thermowell | |
| Eagle 1656MBBG | – | – | – |
| Uline Food-grade Plastic Drum | – | – | – |
| Conical Fermenter (Thermo, Wheels & Butterfly) | Wheels | Butterfly | Yes |
| Conical Fermenter (Butterfly Valves) | Legs | 1.5″ Butterfly | Yes (Tri-clamp) |
| Conical Fermenter (Wheels & Cooling Coil) | Wheels | 1.5″ Butterfly | Yes (T/C Style) |
| Blichmann WineEasy | – | Standard Valve | – |
| Kombucha Tank | Wheels | Butterfly | – |
| Kombucha Fermenter Barrel | – | Optional | – |
| Blue Plastic Drum (Lid & Lever Lock) | – | – | – |
For the heavy steel fermenters, having one with welded-on wheels can be greatly beneficial to easily move it as you please. The plastic barrels/drums are very easy to move when they are empty whereas the steel fermenters without wheels can be quite challenging to move around.
9 Solid 55 Gallon Fermenters
In this section you will find more in-depth details about each fermenter.
For more info you can visit each store on the links provided.
Why Use 55 Gallon Fermenters?
These massive type fermenters are for the seasoned homebrewer who probably knows his recipe in and out, and now simply wants to increase the volume.
Below you’ll find a great variety of fermenters in different price ranges. They all serve the same purpose, but some have some nice specifications giving them some nice extra added qualities to make your home brewing easier.
#1 My Personal Recommendation
- Straight-sided drums are traditional style with horizontal ribs and similar top and bottom diameter dimensions.
- Constructed of blue blow-molded high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with UV inhibitors, is durable and lightweight, weather and chemical...
- For use with smaller non-damaged bottles, cans, carboys and 5-gallon pails of non-leaking hazardous material
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Main specifications:
- Plastic Bung Lid
- Metal Lever-lock
- HDPE UN Rated for solids
- Lightweight
- Made of High-density polyethylene
This is a very cheap barrel suitable for homebrewing, and granted that it’s on Amazon shipping will probably be very easy and straightforward.
It all comes down to what you need and what your budget is. Personally i would choose a cheap barrel for simple yet large batches of beer or wine. Therefore, I’d pick this one from Amazon since it’s most accessible, since most of the other sites are focused on larger commercial businesses.
There are more sophisticated options further down the list, but if you want to go for a cheap option that will make the job, I would go for this one.
#2 Cheapest Pick
55 Gallon Uline Food-grade Plastic Drum
Where to buy: uline.com
One of the cheapest and biggest fermentation containers you can get as a homebrewer. It is quite simply just a plastic barrel that can contain up to 55 gallons of wine or beer.
Main specifications:
- Comes in open or closed top
- Stores up to 395 lbs or 55 gallons
- Quick-lock lid included
- FDA compliant
#3 Top Quality and Design
55 Gallon Conical Fermenter (with Thermowell, Wheels and Butterfly Valves)
Where to buy: conical-fermenter.com
This fermenter is top notch in large fermenters. Made from premium virgin 304 stainless steel, this fermenting tank is stunning to look at and very durable.
Designed and rated for up to 4 PSI- Giving it the perfect amount needed for a closed-loop transfer using CO2
The bottom shape of this fermenter is made for homebrewing since it allows the yeast to slide down the sides.
Main specifications:
- Material: Premium Virgin 304 Stainless Steel
- Capacity of 55 Gallons
- Conical with welded-on legs + wheels
- 4 PSI
- Sanitary Thermowell
- Heavy Duty Casters
- Butterfly Valves
- Dial Thermometer
- Sanitary 1/2 “ Hose Barb
- Tri-Clamps and gaskets
- 3” Tri-Clamp Port in Lid + 90-Degree Hose Barb
- Diameter of 22.5”; Height of 58”; Steel gauge = 1.2mm
#4 Great Stationary Fermenter
55 Gallon Conical Fermenter (with Butterfly Valves)
Where to buy: conical-fermenter.com
A small step down compared to the first fermenter, with no wheels for a more stationary approach. Easy to clean and straight forward to use.
Main specifications:
- Made from premium virgin 304 stainless steel
- Welded-on legs
- Sanitary 1.5” Tri-Clamp Thermowell
- Dial Thermometer
- 1.5” Tri-clamps and gaskets
- 1.5” Butterfly valves
- Sanitary hose barb(1/2 “ hose)
- 3” Tri-clamp Port in Lid with 1/2 “ hose barb adapter
- Diameter of 22.5”
- Height of 57”
- 1.2mm steel gauge
#5 Premium Choice
55 Gallon Conical Fermenter With Wheels and Cooling Coil
Where to buy: conical-fermenter.com
This fermenter is similar to the prior one but comes with advanced temperature control that you can use for the fermentation process if you can’t find the right natural cooling conditions. Fitted with welded-on wheels for easy maneuverability.
Comes with a built-in cooling coil designed for use with cold glycol to achieve the right temperatures for your fermentation!
Like most other conical fermenters, shaped in the bottom in a way that allows the yeast to slide down then slide after falling out of suspension.
Main specifications:
- Made of Premium virgin 304 stainless steel
- Conical with welded-on legs
- A built-in cooling coil in the lid
- 1.5” Butterfly valves
- 1/2 “ Hose barb
- T/C Style thermowell
- 3” lid port
- 3” TC x 1/2 “ -90 deg hose barb adapter
- Clamps
- Gaskets
#6 Best for Wine
Blichmann WineEasy 55 Gallon Fermenter
Where to buy: midwestsupplies.com
This fermenter is made with the focus on winemaking, giving you a large fermenter that is easy to use for winemaking.
After fermentation, the free ruin will be drained from the fermenter. Then you install a sliding piston. There is a vacuum pump that can evacuate your carboy or another container. This causes pressure to push down the sliding piston and press out the pomace up to a maximum of 14 PSI.
All this can be done without transferring the pomace, in a completely airtight fermenter where oxidation and thereby the chance of contamination is essentially impossible.
The clean up is very easy granted the smooth stainless steel, where you simply scoop out the dried-out pomace and then wash the fermenter.
Main specifications:
- Stainless steel
- Unique “false bottom” allowing the pomace to be separated from your wine while draining
- Wine Press Piston
- Wine Vacuum Press Kit
- Efficient
- Easy to use
- Simple cleanup
#7 For Kombucha Lovers
55 Gallon Kombucha Tank
Where to buy: conical-fermenter.com
A kombucha tank on the same level as a commercial fermenter. Ideal for brewing large batches and lagering them.
Welded wheels make this tank easy to move around as you see fit.
Main specifications:
- Made from Premium 304 Stainless Steel
- Welded on wheels for increased maneuverability
- Racking arm
- Clamps
- Gaskets
- Push handle
- Butterfly valve
- Cap
- No lid(lids aren’t for kombucha brewing)
- Dimensions: 30.5” x 31.5”
- Height: 47.5”
#8 Kombucha On A Budget
55 Gallon Kombucha Fermenter Barrel
Where to buy: bubbasbarrels.com
A very basic fermenter made from a used stainless-steel drum. Fitted with a port for a drain valve to make transferring easier. Made for primarily fermenting kombucha with an open top.
Main specifications:
- Several drain options
- Medium or large stand
- 23.5” diameter
- 34.5” Height
- Open top for kombucha brewing
#9 Versatility At Good Price
55 Gallon Blue Plastic Open Head Drum With Lid and Lever Lock
Where to buy: bayteccontainers.com
Now it’s time to look at the lower cost fermenters you can get as a homebrewer. This barrel isn’t made only for fermentation, but can easily be used for this purpose.
It comes with a lid and fittings, to make sure you can close it airtight for fermentation.
Make sure to clean it, especially if you buy it used.
Main specifications:
- Cover: Plain
- Ring: Bolt
- Wt.: 24 lbs.
- Diameter: 22.9”
- Height: 36.8”
- FDA Compliant
- BPA Free
- Container material: HDPE Plastic
- UN Rated: 1H2/Y250/S & 1H2/X150/S
Read Also: Best Beer Recipe Kits
