The perforated plate that keeps your substrate up out of the water and in the steam — the key to even pasteurization in a barrel steamer. Plasma-cut from heavy 12-gauge steel and paired with a 6" spacer grid that leaves room below for the heating element and float valve. Made in the USA.
A barrel steamer pasteurizes with steam, not boiling water. The false bottom is what holds your load up in that steam — so heat reaches the core of every block evenly.
The perforated plate holds your substrate bags up above the water reservoir, so they cook in steam rather than sitting in boiling water. That’s what gives you even, reliable pasteurization through the whole load.
Cut from heavy 12-gauge steel, so it carries a full ~200 lb load without sagging or warping under heat — batch after batch.
The included spacer grid elevates the false bottom 6" off the barrel floor, leaving room underneath for the heating element and float valve.
A quick look at how the false bottom and spacer grid sit inside the barrel.
Both are plasma-cut from 12-gauge steel and include the spacer grid. The difference is how they hold up to years of hot, wet cycles.
The economical pick — plasma-cut 12-gauge carbon steel, plenty strong for steam pasteurization. Expect some surface patina over time in a wet environment.
Corrosion-resistant stainless shrugs off years of hot, wet cycles without rust. The pick for heavy use — $75 more than carbon.
The false bottom is a core component of any 55-gallon barrel steamer — whether you’re building one or keeping one running.
Constructing a barrel steamer from a drum? This false bottom is essential. Our DIY kit includes it along with the controller, heater, and hardware.
Need a fresh plate for an existing steamer, or want to move up to stainless? This drops straight into any standard 55-gallon drum build.
Every complete PID barrel already ships with this false bottom and spacer grid installed — no need to add one.
| Material | 12-gauge carbon steel or stainless steel |
|---|---|
| Fabrication | Plasma-cut, perforated |
| Spacer grid | Included — elevates the plate 6" off the barrel floor |
| Fits | Standard 55-gallon steel drum |
| Purpose | Holds substrate above the water line for even steam pasteurization |
| Options | Carbon Steel ($125) or Stainless Steel ($200) |
| Shipping | Ships by standard carrier |
| Build | Made in the USA |
Questions about fit or your build? Call (530) 300-9292.
Choose carbon or stainless at the top of the page and order. Building the whole steamer? Grab the DIY kit or a complete PID barrel.
