Brewing beer in an arrowhead ecosense bottle

[Wulfman]

Hi i was wondering if i can ferment beer in a arrowhead ecosense 5 gal bottle. They reuse the bottle and its for water so i figured it would be ok but not sure. WHat do u ppl think?

Thanks for the help ,

Gabe

 

[apratsunrthd]

Is it #7 plastic? If so, I would NOT recommend it. Buckets are cheap and surely there's an LHBS in Sacramento. I wouldn't chance it.

 

[Wulfman]

The bottom of the container says 1 with the recycle triangle around it. I have a few buckets and carboys just wanted to obtain some more.

Thanks

 

[-TPM-]

A quick search online comes up type 1 is PETE which AFAIK is fine. One thing to consider though is a 5gal container will only be good for 4 gal batches of less.

 

[Wulfman]

Ok cool, I use a bucket for my 5 gallon batched then secondary in a 5 gal glass carboy(BTW: IM STOPPING SECONDARY UNLESS NEEDED). I have not fermented in my glass carboy yet because i heard you can have an overflow problem like unwanted siphoning. Does the overflow happen often?

 

[RukusDM]

Is it #7 plastic? If so, I would NOT recommend it. Buckets are cheap and surely there's an LHBS in Sacramento. I wouldn't chance it.

I have read this in a few other posts. What is the difference in the plastic? I mean if it contains potable water, doesn't that in itself say its food grade?

Or is it the Alcohol that is the issue?

 

[apratsunrthd]

With #7, they actually fall into the 'other' category -- as in 'all other plastics.' They're more likely to contain BPA.

 

[GetLooseontheGoose]

Ok cool, I use a bucket for my 5 gallon batched then secondary in a 5 gal glass carboy(BTW: IM STOPPING SECONDARY UNLESS NEEDED). I have not fermented in my glass carboy yet because i heard you can have an overflow problem like unwanted siphoning. Does the overflow happen often?

Yes, for some reason when ever I ferment(primary) in a carboy I have to use a blow of valve. Because all of my three pieces get clogged up.

 

[RukusDM]

With #7, they actually fall into the 'other' category -- as in 'all other plastics.' They're more likely to contain BPA.

Thanks, I wasn't aware. Seems strange that Potable Water would be stored and dispensed in a plastic bottle containing bad chemicals that may leach. Hmmmf

 

[Jawbox0]

Thanks, I wasn't aware. Seems strange that Potable Water would be stored and dispensed in a plastic bottle containing bad chemicals that may leach. Hmmmf

Most water containers have moved to #1 for this reason. BPA leeching is an issue that's only really been raised over the past few years. If you look at the returnable 5 gallons, most will be #1.

 

[-TPM-]

Ok cool, I use a bucket for my 5 gallon batched then secondary in a 5 gal glass carboy(BTW: IM STOPPING SECONDARY UNLESS NEEDED). I have not fermented in my glass carboy yet because i heard you can have an overflow problem like unwanted siphoning. Does the overflow happen often?

If you fill your fermentor all the way to the to it'll always overflow yes. Usually you want at least 1 gal. head space. For bigger beers even more. If you already have the bottles/can get them free you could split the batch between 2. If you're going to have to buy them I'd just get another bucket instead.

 

[Wulfman]

Ok thank you, I can get the jugs for free so i was just wondering. Thanks again

 

[-TPM-]

Well if they're free go for it
Maybe upscale a bit to 7 gal and split it. You could then try different things in them too (yeasts, dry hops etc.)

 

[Wulfman]

That is a good idea!! I can start mingling the recipes! Im kinda new but ready to dive full in!

Thanks

 

[bovineblitz]

I've been using a 5gal eco sense bottle for about a year now, works great.

 

[Wulfman]

Thanks Mr Bovine, I think i will start colecting them

 

[bendavanza]

The difference between storing water and beer is ph and the alcohol.