Buckets vs Carboys

[dhelegda]

I use buckets for all my primary...if I decide to secondary I'll use a 6.5 glass carboy. I've had a bad experience with primarying ( if that's even a word) in the glass, but would be willing to try it again. What are your recommendations to make it successful? Anyone use the carboy bags?


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[dhelegda]

What kind of carboy covers do you use?


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[BrewWNC]

Personally know people who have had glass carboys break on them and cause injury. Plus ive seen the thread on here on glass carboy breaks.

It's just not worth it. I use the plastic better bottle carboys. Have worked great for 20+ brews.

Hell, I've got glass carboy I'd probably sell for next to nothing as the wife wants it of the house since we have a toddler.

 

[Hermit]

6.5 gal is too big to secondary in if you are making a 5 gallon batch. You want as little head space as possible.

 

[dhelegda]

I've never had a crappy beer while using the 6.5 carboy.


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[kh54s10]

I primary in Better Bottles and sometimes buckets. I rarely do a secondary, but I have a 5 gallon better bottle for that.

If you have read my responses about glass carboys you will know what I think of them.


If not I will tell you. They are not worth the risk of serious injury... NO GLASS....

There is a video of a carboy bag, the carboy is empty and they don't show the bottom. The handles are just sewn to the fabric. I suspect that eventually they would tear out. If it is not Kevlar I would not trust it.

Plastic is so much safer.

 

[kh54s10]

I've never had a crappy beer while using the 6.5 carboy.


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I've never had a crappy beer while using a bucket or a 6 gallon Better Bottle.

 

[user 141939]

I've never had a crappy beer while using a bucket or a 6 gallon Better Bottle.

I think you missed the point of the post. was told not to secondary in a vessel that big and was saying it works just fine.


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[Homercidal]

I use buckets for all my primary...if I decide to secondary I'll use a 6.5 glass carboy. I've had a bad experience with primarying ( if that's even a word) in the glass, but would be willing to try it again. What are your recommendations to make it successful? Anyone use the carboy bags?


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AS far as primary goes, I would say that the primary is the LEAST important stage for glass. The beer is in primary for a very short time, so O2 permeability is of least concern there.

There are clear plastic fermenters (Plastic Big Mouth Bubblers) that come in primary size and are safe to handle and clean up easily. I have a secondary of this thing and I like it a lot.

Frankly, I don't see the advantage in glass for primary. At least not with the quality of glass I've seen in the newer glass products. For long term aging, I can see how glass or Stainless might hold some advantage, but for most beer, it's a very small, probably un-noticeable advantage.

 

[Roundhouse]

I sold off all of my glass carboys 3 or 4 years ago. I have a plastic conical and the standard plastic buckets. I'll never go back to glass ever again. It's fun to discuss oxygen permeability and the technical aspects of things but at the end of the day it's a non-issue. It's really funny when someone is concerned about it but will then try to use a barrel for aging which absolutely breathes. Don't sweat it.

 

[Hoppity]

When I was a rookie I loved watching my beer ferment in a glass carboy. Now that I know what to expect and how to make good beer I don't need to see it and use plastic exclusively. I don't do long-term fermentations/storage so I don't worry about using plastic at all.

 

[Vaureywwc]

I'm really happy I saw this thread! Personally I usually do primary in my bucket and secondary in a carboy. It's not that I enjoy the carboy for secondary it's just my only option. I just purchased a new conical so I'll be getting rid of both except the 5 gallon, to keep for 'barrel aging'.