ThorpBrew

Recipes 

Im reading "The Complete Joy of Homebrewing" and it implies to have a plastic jug and a carboy, but the directions have nothing to do with the plastic jug. I also see kits that include jugs and carboys for fermentation. Arent these two play the same role? is so then why do I need both? why cant I just use my carboy? This could be a dumb question but I just want to make sure what I need. I currently have one old capper and a 5 gallon carboy and I'm shopping for the rest. im debating on buying all the missing items taht I need or just buy a kit. Any answers to my first question and/or recemendations on what I need to do to complete my equipment list.

Thanks

Nick

Revvy

Recipes 

Don't you mean plastic bucket and a carboy???

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cenla

Recipes 

you can use a 5 gallon carboy as your primary fermentor for 5 gallon batches BUT...

you'll have to use a blow off tube and risk it getting clogged and exploding. From what I've read, most folks use a 6 or 6.5 gallon carboy for fermentation.

You're right that you don't absolutely need another container beyond the fermentation container. I like my plastic "ale pale" because it's easy to pour into, easy to siphon out of, and it's easy to clean.

You do need a bottling bucket. And you'll need that 5 gallon carboy if you want to dry hop or do any secondary fementation/ aging.

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Alehouserock

Recipes 

plastic buckets are way way easier to clean

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akthor

Recipes 

Buckets are way easier in every way IMHO. But some people are freaked about plastic or gotta have glass or just like carboys so they can see what's going on.

I wouldn't do a 5 gal batch of beer in a 5 gal carboy tho.

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