Matt Foley
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Is it possible to use one of those 5 cal. water bottles that are used for water coolers as your secondary fermenter? Any reason plastic would be a bad idea? Thanks.
Plastic Carboy OK?
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fritz_monroe
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Some others will have the details, but plastic tends to be oxygen permeable. I would think that if exposure is limited, there wouldn't be a lot of impact. But what would be too long? No idea.
EdWort
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The Better Bottle is the way to go. The water bottles are for water and are not worried about oxidation. I'd go with a bucket before a water bottle.
Plastic in general depends. A regular office water bottle is not recommended due to oxygen issues, etc... However Better Bottles are specifically designed for homebrewing, I personally love the things, but purists lean toward glass carborys.
I think if you use it as a secondary for 2 weeks or so for each batch it will be fine. If you plan to age your beer in it for longer then the oxygen getting though the plastic will affect the flavour.
Well it could take 6 weeks to affect the flavour or it could take a year, I don't really know, but I rekon 2 weeks will surely be fine.
Well it could take 6 weeks to affect the flavour or it could take a year, I don't really know, but I rekon 2 weeks will surely be fine.
Matt Foley
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Thanks for the advice guys. I have a water cooler at home and a bunch of plastic sitting around. But, I will get my hands on a glass carboy and go with that. Thanks.
ColoradoXJ13
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can we get a sticky on this question...
I've been trying to find the time to go through the archives and compile a pro/con list on the wiki like we did for better bottles vs glass carboys.ColoradoXJ13 said:
If anyone else has a few minutes to get it started that would be awesome!
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This is a common question for newbs.
You can use plastic bottles w/o problems if its PET.
The marking is a triangle with a 1 in the center. Designated with PETE or PET marking nearby.
I use them all of the time. In fact I have 4 (3 gal). All have been bought at Lowes @ 4.99 each w/ water. See the link for a visual of the symbol
http://www.earthodyssey.com/symbols.html
You can use plastic bottles w/o problems if its PET.
The marking is a triangle with a 1 in the center. Designated with PETE or PET marking nearby.
I use them all of the time. In fact I have 4 (3 gal). All have been bought at Lowes @ 4.99 each w/ water. See the link for a visual of the symbol
http://www.earthodyssey.com/symbols.html
a #10 stopper or a regular carboy cap will do fine
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