Fermentation in plastic
 

Hey all,

It seems as though a lot of the more experienced brewers on the forum ferment only in glass. I have a glass carboy for a secondary, but am still fermenting in the plastic bucket that came with my starter kit. I know its not 100% impermeable to air, but since the beer is only spending 7-10 days there before heading to glass for 14 or more days, is it really an issue? I'm young, and poor, and there are some things about the bucket that are really nice.

Are there any large disadvantages to this? Discuss...

Not an issue at all. You can also secondary ferment in plastic if you want. Glass is good because of cleanliness, no permeability, and you can see what is going on! On the downside, it is easier to break. Plastic is perfectly fine for the homebrewer. The only issue is to be careful not to scratch it when cleaning (use a soft cloth or sponge only).

The number one rule of home brewing - well, maybe not number one, but right up there - is "go with what works." If you are happy with what comes out of the brew tank, don't worry about what it is made of.

<--not what you would call an old pro - only at this a year, maybe ten batches, but all brewed in plastic and all delicious. Two weeks in the brew tank each time, then right to bottles.

I use all glass. It's cool to watch the primary in action. I also think it's easier to clean than the bucket. Some might ? why I think this since you can't get in em, but I just rinse them out good once used then fill it up with 2oz of bleach and water and in 24-48 hours its spotless.

I still use my 5 gal bucket for my primary. I guess that I have been to lazy to buy another glass carboy for the primary;) No issues here with the bucket.

No problem with that. When I first started brewing I used the plasic bucket for most of my beers. I started using glass then... and now that I am getting back into brewing... bought glass as a primary simply for one reason. I know myself.... I just can't leave it alone. Gotta see if something is going on. With glass you can see everything and you dont have to open the lid. The fact that you are making good beer says a lot. The method you have works:)

I transfer to glass secondary, but I still use the plastic for a primary. I have two of them. I take care not to scratch them, and always sanitize them thoroughly. Plus the spigot at the bottom makes transfer really easy. One less siphon to start. Havn't had a bad batch yet...(knock, knock);)

If we all had the money I guess we'd all be brewing in stainless steel like the pro's but we don't. So go with what you feel comfortable with. I have a homebrew book that recomends black plastic refuse bins open topped! (non food grade)
I splashed out on a couple of plastic carboys but would happily brew with my blastic buckets again.

I have all buckets. Don't care to deal with the extra weight of glass. SS is within my budget, but I can't justify that much money.

I am raising my glass to that:drunk: