Anyone ferment in used cooking oil jugs?

I have in the past. Hard to clean out but worked. I'm considering usin them again cause I believe I can for two in my small fridge to achieve proper fermentation. Let's hear some input.

Nobody has tried this yet?

I'm guessing you're among the first. Any trace of oil would have a very negative impact on head retention.

I wouldn't for 2 reasons:
1. I have other vessels better suited for fermenting readily accessible.
2. I'd be worried about any oil residue killing the beer's head retention.

That being said, if you can clean them out really well and it works for you then more power to ya.

Oil---needs really really good cleaning solution to remove.
Plastics can leach contents/cleaning solutions into the plastic.
I, too, would not use anything but clean food-grade plastic for brewing. Why take chances? Then again, you could be on to something and if space is a concern, more power to ya! (sounds like you're lagering, too, good on ya!)

I am sure that if the containers were used for cooking oil they would be plenty safe for brewing. (assuming you aren't doing a no chill brew, in which case you need to assure your container is heat rated to 180 or so.) I would have the same concern as Yuri. Plastic and fat molecules are very similar and do not like to let go of each other. I'd use a fairly strong OxiClean solution AND let it sit in the sun for a couple hours just for starters. The problem is that until you brew up a batch you won't know if you've managed to remove all the oil. It should be doable it just takes some time and effort, and the possibility of a batch of beer or 2 with bad head retention.

Jfriah said:

(sounds like you're lagering, too, good on ya!)

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Nope, just having to achieve 60 to 65 degrees so any/all ales don't taste funky

I have fermented in used milk jugs and juice containers for some small experimental batches, but not in oil containers.

I remember Grandpa made country wine in lard buckets among other things. But I think that may have been a different type of plastic. I don't remember I was to young. Anyone remember Snow Cap Lard from around 1980?