BB Carboy?

[Sheldon]

HD has 5 gal water jugs that appear to be the same as BB Carboy's. They are 12.99 to purchase with 5 gal of water. Unless these plastic jugs are an inferior product, could/should these be used for fermentation. It is certainly cheaper than buying a new BB and u get 5 gal of spring water that u can use to brew. Sounds like a win-win.

Comments please.

Sheldon

 

[scruffymmh]

I don't believe they are made of the same material

 

[Changeduser123]

I do not know the answer to your question, but the only thought that comes to mind is that I would hate to have 5g of beer ruined (either with a plastic taste or on the floor ) just to save $10. BB carboys are rock solid and will last forever if you take good care of them.

 

[Revvy]

There's a million threads discussing this, search for water bottles, culligan bottles, spring water bottles, absopure bottles, and you will find the answers you need.

 

[scruffymmh]

I've noticed these at HD before too and thought about the possibility of using these. I'm with mperceau though. I don't think the cost savings is worth the risk or hassle.

 

[Sheldon]

i tend to agree or else someone else would have jumped on this long ago.

 

[Jawbox0]

Many of us do use them, make certain they're stamped #1 and they'll work mostly fine.

The biggest reason most people don't use them is that at 5 gallons they often have problems with blowoff. I do smaller batches, so it's no big deal to me.

EDIT: Again, there's lots of information out there in past threads. You're not going to have off flavors from the plastic, and they're not going to fall apart.

 

[Sheldon]

I was thinking secondary when I dry hop my IPA's

 

[Revvy]

i tend to agree or else someone else would have jumped on this long ago.

Most of us HAVE jumped on them years ago, if you read the threads I suggested people search for you;ll see that it's quite common, and many of us use them. But since answers like that are in all the afore mentioned threads, and this IS one of the most common questions asked on here, rather than us repeating ourselves I suggested folks look for the endless discussions on here about it already. Same with homer buckets and anything else you can think of. We've talked about it quite alot.

 

[Sheldon]

I have a reputation for being lazy most of the time except when I am doing research for a recipe or other instruction. Sorry for not doing the search, but I posted late last nite and as you can see by the time stamp on this, its pretty late again. One day I will retire so I can learn how to become a better home brewer. Thanks for clarifying, long weekend coming up, time to read.

Sheldon

 

[Sheldon]

So a quick scan and read of some of the previous posts indicate that if there is a #1 or #2, the water bottles are a go for at least secondary fermentation. Correct me if I am wrong, it won't be the first time in my life

 

[pickles]

So a quick scan and read of some of the previous posts indicate that if there is a #1 or #2, the water bottles are a go for at least secondary fermentation. Correct me if I am wrong, it won't be the first time in my life

Sounds good.... Now do a search on the merits of secondary fermentation vessels.

 

[Sheldon]

I usually do not use a secondary unless dry hopping or longer than usual fermenting. Just trying to grasp the potential of saving $ while expanding my brewery.