What Is a Unitank

A Unitank is a vessel used to keep beer fresh after it has finished fermentation. This vessel is typically chilled to 32 degrees F. Some brewers will crash-cool their unitank to a lower temperature, while others will allow the beer to cool to a higher temperature to facilitate yeast flocculation and sedimentation. Crash-cooling can also increase floc size and density. After the flocs settle, the yeast can be harvested. Most breweries prefer to crop yeast as soon as it settles.

Unitanks are useful for many purposes, including as an emergency backup BBT for commercial brewing. They can be used for all stages of the beer-making process, from fermentation to packaging. However, a Unitanks cannot produce clear beer without a racking arm. In that case, you may want to consider investing in a Brite Beer Tank (BBT).

A Unitank allows for fine-tuning the balance of CO2 volumes, pressure, and temperature. To achieve this, the tank contains a carb stone to help gauge the CO2 volume. Its placement varies depending on the size of the unitank. The stones are placed at a certain depth below the trub line, according to the instructions included with the unitank.

What Is a Unitank Used For?

A Unitank is not a cheap fermentor, but it does perform a crucial function. Its lid features a tri-clamp port, a wide opening for dry hop additions, and a built-in pressure relief valve. These features allow you to easily control the fermentation pressure without spinning the lid. In addition, a clean-in-place ball lid allows cleaning solution to flow freely through the vessel, removing the hassle of soaking and scrubbing.

A Unitank is also a great solution for breweries with limited space or a small volume of beer. These microbreweries rarely produce barrels of beer, and they tend to focus more on serving the mixtures directly rather than packaging them. Because of the space-saving and labor-saving benefits of unitanks, these facilities can save on their packaging costs.

Another common use for a Unitank is as a fermentation tank. The cylindrical shape of a Unitank provides plenty of space for yeast to grow, making it ideal for fermentation and aging. Because it’s cylindrical, it’s easy to filter the yeast at the bottom of the unitank.

Unitanks come in a variety of sizes, but typically are made of stainless steel. For small batches, you can choose from a three-gallon unitank or a five-gallon conical. You’ll also find a closed-pressure transfer kit that helps prevent oxygen from penetrating the beer. This is great for preventing oxidation, as oxidized beer can have undesirable flavor profiles.

A Unitank is a vessel used for fermentation and aging of beer. Unitanks are not necessary for every brewery, but they are a necessity for some. For example, some breweries do not spin fermentations and rely on in-tank carbonation. This process is simple and involves raising the headspace pressure of the beer, which is based on the temperature of the beer. As a result, the beer will absorb carbon dioxide from the headspace.

Bright tanks are also useful for some brewers. Because they filter out the yeast, bright tanks produce beer that is crystal clear. However, they cost more than a Unitank because of the additional space they require. Besides, if a brewery doesn’t have much money to spend, they may not want to convert their fermentation tanks to bright tanks. Also, transferring the beer from the fermentation tank to the bright tank can lead to oxidation and infection, which can change the beer’s flavor slightly.