Primary Fermenter

The primary fermenter is where you initially mix you mix the ingredients together. Most primary fermenters are made of plastic. Sizes usually range from 30 to 46 liters.

Make sure the primary fermenter comes with a lid. The lid should have a hole for an airlock or a lid that doesn't seal airtight. As the wine must ferments it creates gases that need to escape, therefore an airtight lid would be a disaster.

This brings me back to the fermenter size. If you make a 23 liter wine, your fermenter will need to be at least 30 liters. During primary fermentation the must foams and the extra space is necessary to avoid a mess.

Don't be tempted to use plastic containers other than ones made for wine. Used plastic food containers can have aromas and flavours the will taint your wine.