Quality, consistency and efficiency are essential in the world of specialty coffee and commercial production. Coffee brewing tanks are essential equipment for large-scale cold brew coffee or coffee extract production. These brewing tanks allow coffee producers to brew, steep and store coffee in a controlled environment, ensuring high quality coffee with every batch.
What is a commercial coffee brewing tank?
A coffee brewing tank is a stainless steel container used to steep coffee grounds with water under controlled conditions. These tanks are commonly used for:
Cold brew coffee production
Coffee extract and concentrate preparation
Nitrogen coffee systems
Large-volume brewing for bottling or kegs
They are typically made of 304 or 316 stainless steel, a material that meets food safety standards, is corrosion-resistant and easy to clean, making it ideal for coffee environments.
How to use this tank for coffee brewing？
Step 1: Prepare the equipment
Before brewing each batch of coffee, the tank must be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to eliminate any residual oils or microbial contaminants that may affect the flavor. Many tanks come with CIP (clean-in-place) ports for automatic sterilization.
Step 2: Add ground coffee
Add coarsely ground coffee to the filter basket or infusion column inside the tank. The amount of ground coffee you use depends on the desired strength—typically, a 1:5 to 1:8 ratio of ground coffee to water is used for cold brew.
Step 3: Fill and soak
Add filtered water to the tank, stirring to ensure the grounds are fully soaked. The tank is then sealed and the soaking steps are as follows:
Cold brew: Soak for 12-24 hours at room temperature or in the refrigerator
Hot brew: Soak for 4-6 minutes at about 200°F (93°C) if using a heating jacket
These tanks often come with a thermometer well and sampling port so you can monitor the brewing process without opening the lid.
Step 4: Filter and extract
Once the brewing is complete, filter the ground coffee—either inside the tank using a built-in filter or by transferring it to a filtration system. Many tanks have a drain valve or a sloping conical bottom to allow for easy drainage of residual grounds and liquid.
Step 5: Storage or Packaging
Depending on the end product, the brewed coffee is transferred to storage tanks, bottling lines or coffee kegs. Some advanced coffee brewing tanks are pressure-rated and can be injected with nitrogen for making nitrogen coffee.
Advantages of using stainless steel coffee brewing tanks:
Hygienic and easy to clean
Stable temperature control
Scalable for commercial production
Minimizes oxygen and light exposure
Highly durable and long service life
If you are engaged in cold brew coffee or large-scale coffee production, coffee brewing tanks are a good choice, providing a hygienic, scalable and efficient way to brew coffee while maintaining top quality and consistency.
