Best fermenters...Primary and secondary

[BrandonSmith1011]

Hey everyone,

I'm a bit of a noob and was wondering what is the best choice for fermenters... We have some glass carboys, but are wondering if the Ale Pail or the plastic carboys are just as good... I'd appreciate any info you can give...

Thank you,

Brandon and Bob

 

[MaxStout]

This is a very contentious issue, and there have been lots of threads debating the glass vs plastic thing. There are pros and cons to both, and with glass, some danger. If you are not comfortable with the idea of lugging around huge glass vessels, then buckets or plastic carboys would be the safer way to go. People make great beer from all of these types of fermenters.

 

[BrandonSmith1011]

thank you for the reply

 

[NVRsummer369]

I have used three glass carboys and a plastic bucket for over a year now and the bucket works just as well as the glass; it's easier to fill and clean. I still prefer my glass carboys though. I have been considering picking up a few Speidel plastic fermenters
https://www.morebeer.com/products/speidel-plastic-fermenter-20l-53-gal.html
One of these days I'm gonna get a stainless conical when I can afford it

 

[jschein]

Stainless conical if you can afford one. My favorite of all my fermenters.

 

[Elkobrewer]

I have 2 plastic bubblers and also a 7 gallon plastic mini brew conical. I have never had any kind of off flavor from the plastic. So my vote is for plastic.

 

[CUrchin]

Buckets are cheap, easy to clean and safe to handle. Glass can lead to you in the ER. But you'll get different answers from different people on this issue so it's best for you to do some research and decide what you are after.

 

[RichH]

I have two Speidel 30L fermenters. They are awesome! Easy to clean and I like the handles.

 

[masonsjax]

I won't use glass. Had some friends get seriously injured. I like the PET carboys and have lots of them. I have a few 15.5 gallon sanke kegs i ferment in too. Theyre great, especially for long term bulk aging. An orange carboy cap fits nicely over the porthole.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Maybe be not the "best", but the easiest fermenter is your boil kettle. I chill and pitch yeast to the boil kettle and ferment with the lid on, and a piece of plastic sheeting secured around the kettle top rim with a piece of string wrapped tight. I rack to a keg after 7-10 days and can "secondary" in the sealed keg if I wish prior to serving.

It helps to have multiple kettles if you want to brew more often.

My next preference would be buckets, cheap easy and work well...no glass for me, the thought of shop vacing up gallons of beer and blood after a trip to the ER kinda turns me off.

 

[augiedoggy]

The Best (meaning most versatile and easiest to brew with) is a single stainless conical like the breweries use, eliminating the need for primaries and secondaries and allowing you to dump the trub and dead yeast from the bottom. any functional conical plastic or stainless with a dump valve at the bottom is superior to buckets and jugs ... Just my opinion formed from going from buckets to carboys and better bottles to conicals.

More important than the fermentor itself though is the temperature control for the fermentor... This has a much bigger impact on the quality of your beet than cosmetic or ease of use features... any air tight fermentor will make great beer. most are impervious to oxygen (Except the roto spray tank built plastic conicals which still make great beer as long as you dont let it sit too long from what I understand.)

 

[BrandonSmith1011]

Thank you, everyone... All good advice

 

[cubalz]

I use Speidels in all different sizes for my fermenters. I have used many different types but those are what I like. Easy to clean, built in tap, large opening etc. Judging by how fast MoreBeer sells out of them, many others love them too.

 

[Couchy]

IMO the best plastic fermenter available is the new fermenter by Coopers in Australia (I assume its available in the US somewhere).

Its a thoroughly well thought out vessel made by one of the world's longest serving homebrew companies (50+ years).

I particularly like the super smooth finish of the molding; the threadless sanitary tap which snaps apart for easy cleaning; and the concave base which presents a smaller footprint of settled yeast to the beer. It also comes with a "krausen collar" which is a height extension insert and is excellent for containing volcanic brews like stouts.

http://store.coopers.com.au/coopers-diy-beer-fermenting-vessel-34ltr.html

Can see it described in this Coopers YouTube video here: [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV5k27y8xbs[/ame]

 

[Puddlethumper]

Hey everyone,

I'm a bit of a noob and was wondering what is the best choice for fermenters... We have some glass carboys, but are wondering if the Ale Pail or the plastic carboys are just as good... I'd appreciate any info you can give...

Thank you,

Brandon and Bob

As others have said you'll get a lot of differing opinions on this issue. I prefer glass because it will not scratch or create hiding spots for bacteria-laden scrunge. You do need to take extra care because glass is breakable and a bit heavier than plastic.

Here's a thread on the Big Mouth Bubbler distributed by Midwest and Northern Brewer: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=539160

Whatever works for you is the best answer to your question. Personally I've had buckets, glass and PET carboys and latest the BMB. With the updated lid I prefer the BMB because it is glass, easy to clean and sanitize, easy to move around with a BrewHauler and will not scratch and need replacement in a year or so. YMMV.

For secondary it all depends on how long you intend to hold the beer. For short term (2 - 12 wks) PET is fine. Over 12 wks the issue of O2 permeation increases with time held. Very long-term aging in secondary should always be done in glass or SS with the vessel filled all the way into the neck to reduce O2 exposure to the absolute minimum.

Cheers!