Any new news on Home Depot Homer buckets?

[forcabrew]

I also store my grain in the orange homer buckets. Should this be a concern?

 

[jbaysurfer]

I've been there but I usually make a trip to the Morebeer showroom a couple times a year. If I'm going to drive an hour and a half might as well drive two. I went to school in SB. Shouldn't have moved away...

Wow...I grew up in the east bay, but lived in Modesto for a year after HS. I learned to ski at Dodge Ridge and we spent many a summer at Ridge Crest. I love your neck of the woods..but I love my home now too. Nice state we live in eh?

 

[robertfraser]

That isn't the first time I've read "If ____________ then this isn't the hobby for you." It seems kind of surprising considering that this used to be done in clay pots without written language. I would expect that kind of response if this were a sailboating forum or forum for people who owned airplanes, but it's a forum about making alcoholic beverages which actually happens spontaneously in nature. So what hobby would you suggest for a tightwad like me? Collecting rocks? Do I need kilobucks worth of "specialized," "deluxe," "state of the art," "scientifically engineered" hobbyist products for that?

OK, I sail AND I brew beer.... and I can say for sure, beer and sailing are almost inseparable.....

Can't comment on the percentage of beer swilling pilots, but to read the news, it's probably higher than you might ordinarily suspect.

 

[thadius856]

Can't comment on the percentage of beer swilling pilots, but to read the news, it's probably higher than you might ordinarily suspect.

I'm a private pilot, if that changes things any. I don't actively fly anymore (too expensive recreationally), but I still hold the license.

While I was working on my B.S. Aviation Management, you learn that the vast majority of pilots use alcohol as a sleep aid to help cope with constant jet lag.

As in...I show no signs of growing another head and the beer tasted good.

I get your concerns, and I tend to think the same way...but "food safe" vs. "food grade" sounds like a revenue generation distinction (for the Dep't of Ag) more then anything.

As far as storing grain in buckets...I'm pretty sure homebrewers would be showing some effects at this point if it wasn't safe.

Sure I could be wrong, but I know for a fact that the risk of a prescription drug killing you from an undetected long term effect is exponentially higher.

Hell, why not eat some lead-based paint chips, touch some liquid mercury or lick a a spent nuclear fuel rod while we're at it? Antifreeze tastes pretty good too, I'm told. Smoking two packs of cigarettes a day doesn't show many outwardly visible short-term side effects either.

I, for one, love my family. And if the difference of a freaking dollar on the price of a bucket could mean the difference between an extra day with them on this Earth or not, I'll sure as hell chose to spend it.

You're still free to spend your money however you like. Freedom's pretty ****ing awesome, isn't it?

 

[harrymanback92]

Why? What's retarded about discussing the costs & benefits of certain brewing equipment?

What's retarded is the bickering, over what really amounts to less then 10 dollars.

 

[allaway]

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23470&catid=752

These are a bit cheaper. Maybe one could organize a group buy with a local club?

 

[thadius856]

Maybe. Would have to be a pretty big club, though.

Most of us just buy fermenters when we need them or when placing an order anyway. I'm not sure how many brewers out there have a huge need for more fermenters, though that may change if you're getting them half off.

 

[norsk]

5,6, and 7 gallon buckets. The 7 gal are $9.50 and shipping is fast. Attach a spigot and you're good to go.... Enough head space on the 7 gal for 7 gal batches which is what I brew...

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.aspx?catid=752&parentcatid=687

 

[thadius856]

Wouldn't there be 0 headspace with 7 gal in a 7 gal bucket?

 

[strantor]

Damn I missed it. Did anybody take screenshots? Lol, well I've heard what I needed to hear, thanks for all who provided pertinant information. I won't be using homer buckets to ferment.

...but I will be using 5 gallon buckets... just because

 

[allaway]

Maybe. Would have to be a pretty big club, though.

Most of us just buy fermenters when we need them or when placing an order anyway. I'm not sure how many brewers out there have a huge need for more fermenters, though that may change if you're getting them half off.

Yeah, if I had the opportunity to grab a couple at a discounted price, I probably would. More fermentation space is always better!!

 

[user 146522]

Check out Firehouse Subs if you have them in your area. They sell the buckets that they get their pickles in for $2 a piece and the proceeds are supposed to go to help buy gear for local fire departments. The buckets are only 5 gal, but its a guarantee that they are food grade.

 

[TheBrewingMedic]

Here y'all go, after a 15-20 second search on google.....affordable food grade hdpe 2 pails...

• 6 gallon $6.18
• 5 gallon $4.28 (shh don't tell anyone you're splitting batches)
• 3.5 gallon $3.54 (for the closet batch splitters that don't like excessive headspace)
• Lids $1.55

For the OP, if you're curious, just swing into HD or Lowes, look at the bottom and make sure it's hdpe #2 (#1 also works) anything else only use for storage.

For the "Economy Creative Brewers" Don't stop the "Improvise, Adapt and Overcome" mentality, it's keeps the world turning whether it like to admit it or not. Brew sculptures with water filtration, chugger pumps, counterflow chillers, RIMS/HERMS systems may somewhat be for the deeper pockets these days but they were't found in caves with 1500 yr old instructions carved into the walls, they were a product of the guys in their garages with some scrap parts and ingenuity.....

For those with the cash to get things labled specifically for brewing or can afford things already premade/assembled, ready to use out of the box...more power to you, you obviously worked hard to earn your cash and have the right to indulge as you see fit, rock on...

To those that are concerned about dyes or if .00002% of a recycled product once contained something harmful...remember most spring water bottles on store shelves are now made of recycled materials, like the packaging on most "fresh" food in supermarkets, travel mugs, plastic flatware, hell even toilet seats especially public ones....AHHHH stick your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye we are ALL screwed it's EVERYWHERE......Or relax and know that this is an improvement to reuse non-sustainable resources and being to cautious about trying to get that one more day out of life can actually shorten it if not taken in moderation with everything else in life....the immune system needs to be challenged sometimes to work effectively.

AND...As for everybody that took a thread simply asking about a cheap ass orange bucket and found ways to argue with each other (and yeah a lot of it was petty bickering, not constructive debates or discussions), Try, Try, PLEASE try to remember...if YOU like how YOUR brew comes out...it doesn't freakin matter what anyone thinks about how you made it, how they are making theirs or what color jugs it was made in...relax and enjoy it

 

[Zamial]

I would not use a homer bucket. I would not let a dog drink water from a homer bucket. However I do use the translucent HDPE buckets and lids from the same store.

 

[bdh]

Hell, why not eat some lead-based paint chips, touch some liquid mercury or lick a a spent nuclear fuel rod while we're at it? Antifreeze tastes pretty good too, I'm told. Smoking two packs of cigarettes a day doesn't show many outwardly visible short-term side effects either.

Or while we're at it we could have a pool party at a nuclear reactor....
http://what-if.xkcd.com/29/

 

[AVLbrewing]

First off let me preface this statement: A) I have no real understanding of plastics, B) limited brewing experience, and C) I'm not a tinhat wearing anti-governemtn type.

However, Just because the FDA says something is safe doesn't necessarily mean it is... Granted thats sometimes the best we can hope for, but the below link is an interesting "History of BPA" usage and management by the EPA and FDA, as well as it eventual phasing out for all of those interested:

http://www.ewg.org/reports/bpatimeline

Essentially the FDA denied the harmful effects of BPA in infant formula and other products despite evidence that proved otherwise. They based their official stance upon two studies (one published, one not). It also highlights major conflict of interests by members of the FDA Science Board, receiving large amounts of money from industry lobbyist.

My take home from this thread and the above link:
Just because the FDA says something is FoodSafe or Food Grade does't mean you aren't being exposed to harmful chemicals. The only truly safe option that I'm aware of for the super paranoid is probably glass.

With that being said I have things fermenting in plastic buckets (from Northern Brewer) as we speak. Do I think there is the possibility of carcinogenic compounds leeching from the bucket? Absolutely. Will it change my brewing practices? Nope. Would I buy buckets from Home Depot and brew in them? If I needed a bucket in a pinch, sure, why not. We are exposed to so much crap thats going to kill us already. I try to minimize my exposure to some degree, but I'm pretty much sure we are all screwed anyways.

In the words of Papazian "Relax, don't worry, have a homebrew."

:cheers:

 

[broadbill]

Damn I missed it. Did anybody take screenshots? Lol, well I've heard what I needed to hear, thanks for all who provided pertinant information. I won't be using homer buckets to ferment.

...but I will be using 5 gallon buckets... just because

then scale your recipe to 4-4.5 gallons or split 5 gallons between 2 buckets. 5 gallons in 5 gallon bucket will take you right to the lip.

Putting 5 gallons of fermenting ale in a 5 gallon bucket, I would estimate you would lose 0.5 gallon to blowoff. That's a lost 6 pack every batch. If you value your homebrew similarly to craft brew...that's a $8-12 loss per batch.

That extra $8-12 for a bigger bucket doesn't seem like such a rip-off now does it?

As I said, penny-wise, pound foolish....

 

[Vellum]

I was thinking about these buckets, the food grade 5gallon Lowes ones, and they might be an easy way for me to jump ti nine gallon batches. I have two better bottles, and am generally fermenting two beers at once, so I could put five gallons of a batch in the better bottle and four in the Lowes bucket. I might do this until I make another order from an online brew store (I generally plan my orders to last a year) and pick up a couple more better bottles.

 

[Bradinator]

I have three of them and used them almost exclusively for long term bulk grain storage. I have however used one for a 4.0 gallon batch of beer a few months ago without any issues. Very easy to convert the lid as it had a rubber stopped the size of an air bung I popped out.

Don't know if I would ever put more then 4 gallons into it though... When the krausen came up it got very, very close to the lid.

then scale your recipe to 4-4.5 gallons or split 5 gallons between 2 buckets. 5 gallons in 5 gallon bucket will take you right to the lip.

Putting 5 gallons of fermenting ale in a 5 gallon bucket, I would estimate you would lose 0.5 gallon to blowoff. That's a lost 6 pack every batch. If you value your homebrew similarly to craft brew...that's a $8-12 loss per batch.

That extra $8-12 for a bigger bucket doesn't seem like such a rip-off now does it?

As I said, penny-wise, pound foolish....

I disagree with this statement. The cost of a 4 gallon batch is less then a 5 gallon so there is no loss of money going smaller. And I don't believe factoring in time is relevant as this is a hobby... But if we did and we assumed we were making our normal rate of pay (or overtime because its usually done on a weekend) then suddenly home brewing doesn't seem much of a cost saving endeavor anymore.

 

[broadbill]

I disagree with this statement. The cost of a 4 gallon batch is less then a 5 gallon so there is no loss of money going smaller. And I don't believe factoring in time is relevant as this is a hobby... But if we did and we assumed we were making our normal rate of pay (or overtime because its usually done on a weekend) then suddenly home brewing doesn't seem much of a cost saving endeavor anymore.

that's fine, but you have to at least concede that the beer you would lose to blow-off is worth something. In that case, there is a break-even point where is makes sense to buy the larger bucket to avoid that loss.

The same goes for labor....sure you might not value it to what you get paid for work, but your time is definitely worth something isn't it? Is an extra 8-12 bucks worth being able to put in the same amount of labor to get 5 gallons instead of 4? (not to mention....with a 7 gallon bucket you can brew a 5.25 gallon batch to end up with a full 5 gallons)

You could even call it an intangible cost...lets say you LOVED that latest batch of beer and you are all out. How much would you pay to have another 6-pack of it? You could consider that towards how much you are willing to pay for a slightly larger bucket (or how much to upgrade to a 10 gallon system, but I digress).

Again, if you are doing the traditional 5 gallon batch a 7 gallon fermenter is the BEST tool for the job.

 

[forcabrew]

Homer bucket grain storage a bad Idea?

 

[Bradinator]

that's fine, but you have to at least concede that the beer you would lose to blow-off is worth something. In that case, there is a break-even point where is makes sense to buy the larger bucket to avoid that loss.

The same goes for labor....sure you might not value it to what you get paid for work, but your time is definitely worth something isn't it? Is an extra 8-12 bucks worth being able to put in the same amount of labor to get 5 gallons instead of 4? (not to mention....with a 7 gallon bucket you can brew a 5.25 gallon batch to end up with a full 5 gallons)

You could even call it an intangible cost...lets say you LOVED that latest batch of beer and you are all out. How much would you pay to have another 6-pack of it? You could consider that towards how much you are willing to pay for a slightly larger bucket (or how much to upgrade to a 10 gallon system, but I digress).

Again, if you are doing the traditional 5 gallon batch a 7 gallon fermenter is the BEST tool for the job.

That's if you had a wicked blow off, which I could still happen for sure. To be fair I definitely agree with you on the larger bucket and larger batch approach, not so much from a cost savings perspective but a logical one. It takes the same time to make a 1 gallons, a 3 gallon, a 5 gallon and so on, so why not make a bigger batch and get more beer the first time around.

 

[clevernonsense]

Personally, I am wary of even "Food Grade" plastics. The US legally allows various recycled plastics to go into food grade containers, and generally focus on percentages of safety rather than being 100%. Add the fact that home brews are acidic and stay in the container longer means you end up with a much greater opportunity for leaching.

Also, remember BPA? That's still used in some food storage containers and is proven to be harmful to human health.

I fully realize I'm being overly cautious, but it seems like a silly thing to risk just to save a little $. Lowes does have labelled food grade buckets for only like 50 cents more, which I feel safer using for other things (like kruat/kimchi etc).

I was searching the forum to see if the orange Homer buckets are safe to ferment in. There was a lot of discussion back in 2009. Someone was saying that a chemist had verified that they are food grade, then someone else said that they sold an injection mold to a guy who makes the orange buckets for HD and they use the cheapest worst crap possible. Not sure who to believe.

The most recent discussion (2012 - ghetto brew kit) was by cherrington3, who actually used one of the buckets to boil his wort and then was never heard from again.

I was wondering if in the past 4 years, anybody has actually regularly fermented (not boiled) in one and could testify as to whether or not they poison the brew or cause any bad flavors.

 

[norsk]

Wouldn't there be 0 headspace with 7 gal in a 7 gal bucket?

Curiously, just as most 5 gal buckets hold more than 5 gal., the same applies to 6 and 7 gal buckets. My 7 gal buckets hold 7 1/2 gals....

 

[broadbill]

Curiously, just as most 5 gal buckets hold more than 5 gal.,

Not the 5 gallon homer buckets I have.

Oh, you are talking about those super-expensive, high-falutin buckets the LHBS sells? Well, you should get something for the price premium, right???

 

[allaway]

Homer bucket grain storage a bad Idea?

I'm Ron Burgundy?

 

[Eddiebosox]

I use two 5 gallon carboys for most of my beer. Scale recipe to 7 gallons and put 3-1/2 gallons in each. Plenty of head space, more beer!

Yeah, i am thinking about getting a few of these for my split batch experiments.

 

[Varmintman]

And here I was thinking this thread was going to die:smack:

 

[Eddiebosox]

Also, remember BPA? That's still used in some food storage containers and is proven to be harmful to human health.

Thats not really true. All studies about its effects on health are inconclusive and the FDA has not banned it because there is no evidence its harmful. they banned it on use in baby bottles only and that was just to boost consumer confidence after the furor that came out. its been in many of our food containers since 1960.

 

[jmcvay131]

I generally shop at The Home Depot as they are always $2 per item cheaper than Lowes.....but Lowes now carries a 5 gallon "Food Grade" bucket for under $3. The matching lid is another $2...but has a nice gasket seal..seals very tight.

Just bought one today.