Vessels of various sizes made from different materials are used for fermentation. For a temperature-controlled fermentation process, stainless steel tanks controlled by a computer program (left) with volumes of up to one million litres are usually preferred. Other materials used are cement or concrete (usually glazed or tiled), glass, wood/vat (picture right) and ceramics.

Fermentation vats (also known as fermentation stands, fermentation vats, Holzgärständer) are made of wood and taper towards the top, in which open mash fermentation takes place in order to achieve the desired oxygen contact (centre image). Due to the relatively small surface area, the pomace cap can also be pushed under or turned over very gently by hand. From left to right: open stainless steel fermentation racks, Holzgärständer and stainless steel tanks.
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Thorsten Rahn
Restaurantleiter, Sommelier, Weindozent und Autor; Dresden