Would it be a bad idea to pickup two buckets and just split the batch? I have a load of little 2.5 gallon buckets. Would that be too much to split up? If I did 2.5 gallons buckets could I use 3 and use 2 in 2 of them and 1 gallon in the other? Does a smaller amount of brew, give a smaller amount of krausen? I really don't want another carboy, because I am not a huge drinker, I just have some grains that I wanna use.
Looking for a cheap fermenter
- Thread starter Patton191
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dagamore
Well-Known Member
if you are in the states, why not go to your local HBS and get a 6 or 6.5 gallon Glass/better bottle carboy. I got my glass ones for ~40usd and you can get the better bottles for about the same price. They can last for ever, are you really that short of cash that you cant get a full sized carboy?
Buckets are even cheaper. about $10-15.
The only problem I see with splitting a 5 gallon batch into three separate units is making sure you evenly distribute the yeast. I suppose if you pitch, stir/aerate then divide it would work okay.
The only problem I see with splitting a 5 gallon batch into three separate units is making sure you evenly distribute the yeast. I suppose if you pitch, stir/aerate then divide it would work okay.
conpewter
Well-Known Member
you can even use 5 gallon buckets from home depot, you'd just need to either brew a smaller batch (4 gal) or use some fermcap foam control drops to keep it from blowing off.
jmlabeck
Well-Known Member
I just made a 4-gal batch in a fermenter I got FREE. I used the 5-gal plastic jug that held the frying oil my restaurant uses. With the amount of frying oil used by most fast food places, it should be easy to get, and it worked great.
Joe
Joe
obezyana1
Well-Known Member
That sounds like a good idea, but I hope you found a way to get all traces of oil out of that thing or you can kiss the head on your beer goodbye.
jmlabeck
Well-Known Member
Oil residue was not a problem. A good wash, soak, and rinse, and all traces were gone. The beer has conditioned, and heads up nice.
kryolla
Well-Known Member
If you are not a big drinker just brew a 2.5 gallon batch. Just cut the 5g batch in half
obezyana1
Well-Known Member
Awesome! I may have to go to a few local restaurants and see if I can pick some of those up. :rockin:
they're also great for storing starsan. They even have a built in carry handle!
B
B
It's not that I am short on cash, but I don't feel committed enough to buy another carboy. I don't secondary my beers, so I will most of the time just have an empty carboy lying around. That's bad business haha. I might just go pick up another aqua tainer.
I called my local bakery and they said they have 5G buckets with lids, food grade, for like $1.50 each. Maybe call around?
flylock_jac
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Try your local bakery , donut shop or Chinese take out. All have 5 and 6 gallon food grade buckets that food supplies come in. Most will give them to you FREE.
ScottyT
Well-Known Member
+1 on restaurant buckets. Chinese/Japanese restaurants get their soy sauce in 5+ gallon buckets.
conpewter
Well-Known Member
I've always worried that second-hand buckets might have scratches that would harbor bacteria. I'm sometimes paranoid about infection though, once you get one it can spread 
So I managed to grab 3 4 and 1/4 gallon buckets at a donut shop. So should I just take the batch and split it in half? What would be the best way to get 1/2 gallon marks on the bucket, because I don't have a half gallon container? I have a empty gallon milk jug that I used to get the whole gallon marks.
