Better Bottle vs Ale Pail

[Cheesefood]

So...

The last post about a broken carboy makes me again wonder: what's the advangate of a better bottle over a bucket? The way I see it, buckets have the advantage because they're opaque, easy to clean and easy to carry. BB's are clear, but that's not as nice a feature as guaranteed light protection and ease of cleaning.

I don't know that one is more scratch resistant than the other, but I've committed to only using soft cloths for cleaning purposes.

What am I missing?

 

[Willsellout]

I like buckets for dryhopping, I like BB's for everything else..just personal preference.


Dan

 

[chillHayze]

I like the buckets for primary fermentation because they are easier to clean and dump my wort into.

I like BBs for clearing b/c I can see when it has cleared well.

 

[c.n.budz]

A friend of mine only uses buckets, he says the pros; easy to clean, easier to move, no light damage, price - out weigh the cons; tougher to get an airtight seal, since they're opaque you can't see a potential blowoff coming.

Personally, I've never used either. At the moment I only have glass carboys. I'm curious to hear people's opinions since I'm looking to up my brewing capacity and the buckets are so much cheaper

 

[cweston]

Depends on your setup, I think. Full carboys are very difficult to move. Buckets are easy--better bottles are somewhere in the middle, I imagine.

I find buckets very convenient for primary. I use glass carboys for secondary. Dry hopping is a PITA. I'd consider buying an additional bucket for dry-hopping.

 

[david_42]

I love buckets. Handles & ridges make for safe moves, easy cleaning, easy dry hopping. Add a spigot and everything is easy. I've had no problems with scratching or sanitizing.

But, I must admit, when you get enough pressure buildup to blow the lid, it's messy.

 

[Todd]

I love buckets. Handles & ridges make for safe moves, easy cleaning, easy dry hopping. Add a spigot and everything is easy. I've had no problems with scratching or sanitizing.

But, I must admit, when you get enough pressure buildup to blow the lid, it's messy.

guys I was thinking of trying a lambic and I understand I should have a lambic specific fermentor since that stuff is uber tough to kill. Now it says to age 6 months before bottling, would a bucket have any serious adverse effects with that sort of length? Has anyone tried the same batch aged in a bucket and a carboy to see how much oxygen permeation really effects the beer?

 

[chillHayze]

guys I was thinking of trying a lambic and I understand I should have a lambic specific fermentor since that stuff is uber tough to kill. Now it says to age 6 months before bottling, would a bucket have any serious adverse effects with that sort of length? Has anyone tried the same batch aged in a bucket and a carboy to see how much oxygen permeation really effects the beer?

I have left beer in a plastic bucket for 2 months with no mal effects. Can't speak for 6 months though.

 

[clayof2day]

For a lambic you want some oxygen premeation. It allows the bugs to thrive and get your beer good and sour. Buckets are supposed to be perfect for Lambics.

 

[Focus]

I have left beer in a plastic bucket for 2 months with no mal effects. Can't speak for 6 months though.

I left one in the bucket for 3 and it still smelled & looked great at botteling.

Ref buckets & BBs: aren't the BBs supposed to pick up fewer flavors & odors from your beer. I know that slight beer smell is damned near impossible to get out of my primary.

Additionally for all you that sight cost as a con: who are you kidding? Most of us have spent so much on this hobby that the $5 difference in price (or whatever it is) is a pretty small drop in the bucket (so to speak)

Focus

 

[Todd]

For a lambic you want some oxygen premeation. It allows the bugs to thrive and get your beer good and sour. Buckets are supposed to be perfect for Lambics.

Thanks then I'll probably just try that. Hated to spend the money on a carboy only to never be able to use it again. Guess I could always sell it on ebay..

 

[the_bird]

I can't imagine that you'd have to toss the carboy. Ain't nothing going to leech into glass permantly. Soak it in a strong bleach solution when you're done for a day or two, then rinse it out like a fiend.

 

[Cheesefood]

I can't imagine that you'd have to toss the carboy. Ain't nothing going to leech into glass permantly. Soak it in a strong bleach solution when you're done for a day or two, then rinse it out like a fiend.

What if it cracks or breaks? Then you'll definitely have to throw it out.

As for the permeating smell, I find a soak in bleach and/or oxy clean works wonders.

 

[EdWort]

I have used buckets for primary fermentations for 20 years. No blow off tubes to mess with. I use an 8 gallon one for my Hefeweizens and still no blowoff messes.

Each one has a spigot, so racking to a keg or Better Bottle is a snap.

I see no reason to change till I get a 14.5 gallon SS conical.

 

[Cheesefood]

I have used buckets for primary fermentations for 20 years. No blow off tubes to mess with. I use an 8 gallon one for my Hefeweizens and still no blowoff messes.

Honest question: any of those buckets been around since day 1?

 

[user 574]

Good topic Cheesefood from someone who now only uses glass carboys. I prematurely racked my IPA (1.022) to secondary only because I needed my one 6.5g for my porter this past Sat. I moved my ale pale around to make some room in the garage and I thought why don't I even consider using this thing anymore? I'm getting more and more nervous with my glass carboys everytime I use them...

 

[EdWort]

Honest question: any of those buckets been around since day 1?

No, I sold all my brewing stuff when I moved to Germany (anyone see a reason to brew in Germany?). I still have buckets from when I moved back, but I don't use them to ferment any more. I started with new fermenters when I got back into to it because those buckets were used to store stuff and I won't take the chance knowing stuff other than liquids was in the bucket probably scratching it.

Nothing gets stored in my fermentors and I clean them right after use and put up after completely drying.

I sanitize with Starsan and spray the outside spigot a few times in a 30 minute time frame before connecting a sanitized hose for racking.

 

[God Emporer BillyBrew]

Honest question: any of those buckets been around since day 1?

I know we're talking BB's, but I've broken two glass secondaries and am still on my first bucket.

Put me down for buckets. I love having that wide mouth so I can dry hop, or just pour my cooled wort in.

I do like watching the ferment through my glass fermentor though.

 

[DG Paul]

I use a plastic bucket and a Coopers plastic fermentor with spigots for my primaries and BB's for secondaries. I really like how easy it is to clean them after primary fermentation, especially after a particularly vigorous start.

The BB's provide a great sealed environment that I don't have to worry about for a long sit in secondary. (Though I haven't had any issues with the seal on my bucket... yet.) They are also very easy to clean. Nothing seems to stick to them.

Moved away from the glass carboy when I broke one, fortunately when cleaning it, and decided they were too fragile for me.

 

[jagged]

this may sound goofy, but the main reason I upgraded to Better Bottles was because not being able to see inside the fermenter was driving me crazy

the buckets still come in handy for holding sanitizer, top-off water, etc.

 

[Beermaker]

Im the dumba$$ who caused cheese to start this thread. I now use BB's, and am replacing my glass carboys 1 at a time. Only problem with a BB is all the extra parts cost more than the bottle itself. I also dont like the way the bottle draws in air when you pick it up, and blows out the air lock when you set it down.

 

[bradsul]

I also dont like the way the bottle draws in air when you pick it up, and blows out the air lock when you set it down.

I had this problem initially as well (I'm a recent convert too). I started swapping out the airlock for a solid stopper when I had to move it. It's an extra step but personally I consider it well worth the minimal extra effort when the alternative is carrying around a glass carboy.

 

[CollinsBrew]

This may seem needless... if you want to see fermentation in a bucket but don't like glass carboys or better bottles can't you just cut a window in the lid and in the side of the bucket? You could use a piece of plexi-glass or just glass if you want and seal it over the cut-out with some kind of aquarium glue or sealant.

It sounds like more work than it's worth but if you like fermenting buckets that much and you like to see the fermentation in action then you could possibly have both.