Are there any downsides with using plastic buckets as fermenters?

[iaefebs]

I've stated it before, and I'll state it again... I don't like buckets for fermenting beer in... Period... They're ok for fermenting a melomel if you're adding fruit in at the start. Otherwise, I don't use them. Period...
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Stating an opinion and stating it again.... wow.... and based on what information? OP I use buckets and they are fine. I like them for the same reason as post #1

 

[Golddiggie]

Stating an opinion and stating it again.... wow.... and based on what information? OP I use buckets and they are fine. I like them for the same reason as post #1

Personal experience with using them... I used one for my very first brew, and for another brew before I had picked up more carboys... Both times, PITA... Compared with carboys at least.

I'm migrating over to use kegs for fermenting (~5 gallon corny and Sanke kegs) and aging now. With the significantly smaller opening (when pulling a hydrometer/taste sample, less chance of something negative falling in. Just need to get a few more of the orange caps for the Sanke kegs (picked up one today, needed to make sure it would work before getting more) and I'll be in business.

Fermenting in either keg has more positive aspects than either a bucket or even carboy. Although they share more with carboy's than buckets...
1. Zero light penetration. Plastic buckets are not 100% light tight.
2. Zero gas penetration through the fermenter's materials. Plastic could allow gas through, given enough time. Probably not going to be in there long enough, but zero chance is better than a chance.
3. Small top opening similar to a carboy. Benefit over buckets.
4. Easy to pull out a sample via turkey baster or wine thief (match with carboy).
5. Racking from them will be easy. More so than buckets or carboys. I've already done this from the corny keg, the racking cane holds itself upright, without any additional hardware.
6. Zero chance of scratching them using cleaning methods available (keg cleaner tool).
7. Life span... Kegs can last for much longer than either buckets or carboys. It takes a LOT more force to damage a keg than either a bucket or carboy (glass or PET)...

I'm sure I'll find additional items as I use them over the coming years... Only possible negative is that the capacity is just over 5 gallons. But, that is negated by using fermcap and/or blow-off tubes. I also plan on making a fermentation chamber this year. I'll be able to fit more of these into the chamber than either buckets or carboys. Since they have a diameter of no larger than 9", and it's the same for the entire height, it will be easy to get the size chamber I want. Or build one to house them.

People tend to love the what they're fermenting in... Until they find something better... I started with the bucket (as already mentioned) and immediately disliked/hated it. Carboy's were a much better option for me. Since figuring out how to use kegs, that will become my vessel of choice moving forward.

The only reason I used a bucket for the melomel, was due to being able to leave it without the actual lid on it (used a sanitized towel, secured to the top)... That was only for the first week though. After that, it went into a glass carboy. Not sure how long it will be before I do another melomel... Need to see how this one turns out in X months before I actually decide.

Way I see it, use what you like. But, you can use almost anything you want, as long as it's made from safe materials. That means either glass, the correct type of plastic, or stainless steel... Don't segregate one size/type of vessel to just one task. You can easily use 5 gallon carboys as primaries. No need to use them JUST for bright tanks/secondary vessels. You don't HAVE to have over a gallon of head space in order to ferment. Granted, there are some yeasts that you'll want the extra space for. But, you can also do other things to reduce that need.

 

[devilishprune]

Buckets FTW. I have both buckets and carboys, but if I ever need another fermenter I know what I'm going to get!

Way easier to carry and I don't have to worry about them slipping and breaking and killing me, or worse, losing beer!

 

[RM-MN]

The real downside to the buckets is that they are too cheap, easy to clean, easy to store and convenient to carry so you tend to have too many of them and need to keep them full leading to too much beer. Oh wait, is that really a downside?

 

[Jawbox0]

Something no one has mentioned: when opening a bucket for whatever reason (sampling, gravity, etc) it is much easier for air particles (mold, wild yeast, etc) to sneak into that gaping hole than the small one of a carboy.

Actually, all you need to do is drill an extra hole in the bucket lid, about the same size as a carboy neck. You can stopper it with a carboy bung, and just pull out the bung for a sample or whatever. I do the same for my airlock hole, using a universal carboy bung instead of a grommit.

 

[Sithdad]

You should have a problem with oxygen unless you are aging a Stout or Barleywine. It's best to use glass for extended aging. I do wonder about the plastic holding onto odors. I made a Belgian Dark Strong Ale in a new bucket about a year ago. The bucket still smells like the esters from the Belgian yeast.

While my bucket does retain some odor I have never had any of it leech into anything I have fermented in it. I've made roughly 20 batches in it with styles ranging from lagers, stouts, pale ales, a sangria kit, and mead. My wife doesn't like beer and would would have been able to pick out any flavors or odors that would have leeched into her sangria or mead.

As for scratching the bucket. You'd have to scrub pretty hard or press hard, with a metal spoon, to scratch them. I have a long handled restaurant grade spoon I use to stir and it's never scratched the bucket. Then again I am careful about how I stir.

Carboys are best used as a clarifying/aging vessel where you need to minimize the contact of air and the liquid.

 

[mikeysab]

Ive only used buckets so cant comment on glass. Spigots on all of them. Oxyclean gets them perfectly clean. Once im done cleaning, rinsing and drying the bucket, i take the spigot apart and put all parts in a bowl with oxyclean. Before i started using oxy, i would notice some beer inside the spigots moving parts, but that oxyclean gets everywhere.