7.5 Gallon Anvil Bucket Fermenter Review

The stainless steel bucket fermenter has been a game-changer for homebrewers. Easy cleaning and an almost indestructible build are the most notable qualities. Ss Brewtech brought one of the first versions to market with the brew bucket. It’s a solid build but at $199 plus you’re paying for it. Enter the 7.5 gallon Anvil bucket fermenter priced at just $129.99.

Let’s start with the features of the 7.5 gallon Anvil bucket fermenter. The fermenter is made from 304 stainless steel. It features a latching lid with a silicone seal. The fermenter has a ball valve with a rotating racking arm. The bottom is a coned shape for better yeast health. An airlock and stopper are included so you’re ready to ferment.

Technical Specs:

• 7.5 Gallon capacity 
• Etched volume markings
• 304 stainless steel build quality
• Coned bottom
• Ball valve and spigot with a rotating racking arm
• Latching lid

Dimensions:

• Width: 16.5 inches
• Height: 26 inches with an airlock (19.75 inches without)

Now onto my long term use review. The build quality has held up well aside from one little quirk. My unit arrived with a defective ball valve. Luckily Blichmann sent a replacement ball valve after just a few emails. Aside from that, I’ve had no issues with anything else.

Cleaning has been a breeze with the Anvil bucket fermenter. The ball valve and rotating racking arm disassemble for a deep clean. The large opening allows you to scrub off any stuck on krausen without fighting a carboy brush. The initial cleaning wasn’t any worse than my SS brew bucket. Don’t skip the first clean or you’ll end up with machining oils in your first brew. The only thing that is a pain to clean is the silicone lid seal since it’s hard to remove. That said I’ve had no problems just cleaning it in place.

After dumping I simply wash with warm water. I then soak for a bit with hot PBW. The final rinse is with a good wash of hot water. Finally, I dry it with a soft cotton cloth. The Anvil bucket fermenter is then ready for the next batch.

I’ve been using the 7.5 gallon Anvil bucket fermenter for well over two years now. I feel like I can give it a solid review on how it’s worked out. 

Pros:

• 304 Stainless Steel
• Cheaper than most stainless fermenters
• Ball valve with a rotating racking arm
• Etched volume marks

Cons:

• No folding handles
• Not a true conical bottom
• No thermowell
• A hard to remove lid seal

Verdict:

The 7.5 gallon Anvil bucket fermenter gets you into a well built stainless fermenter at a great price. I’d easily buy another Anvil bucket ferementer over the Ss Brewtech Brew Bucket just for the savings.

Check out my review for the SS Brewtech Brew Bucket for comparison.