Buckets vs Glass

[slantedbolt]

I currently have a Glass Carboy, but I would think a bucket would be easier to clean and sample.

Thoughts and experiences?

 

[nostalgia]

Try using the search feature and typing in "bucket glass". You'll be rewarded with dozens of discussions to pore over. There are even several good links right at the bottom of this thread.

But since I'm here, here's my opinion: I prefer Better Bottles. If I had to choose between buckets and glass I'd choose buckets for the safety factor.

There are plenty of folks who will argue they have used glass for 25 years safely, but that's the same flawed argument people use for not wearing seat belts. No matter how careful you are moving glass carboys with milk crates and handles, you can still slip while cleaning or bump it into something. At best, you lose a batch of beer. At worst, you end up in the hospital.

-Joe

 

[Yooper]

I like buckets- they are cheap, lightweight, easy to clean, and unbreakable.

I rarely use my dozens of glass carboys, because they're heavy empty and even heavier full of beer or wine! Of course, I'm a 135 pound weakling.

I have several better bottles, but hate using them for primary because I feel like it's harder to get them clean than a bucket, plus they only come in 6 gallons max. I need a bit more headspace, so I use a 7.9 gallon "ale pail".

 

[slantedbolt]

No matter how careful you are moving glass carboys with milk crates and handles, you can still slip while cleaning or bump it into something. At best, you lose a batch of beer. At worst, you end up in the hospital.

Ouch... good call.

 

[OHIOSTEVE]

I have beer in both right now.. advantages and disadvantages to both.

 

[slantedbolt]

I have beer in both right now.. advantages and disadvantages to both.

I will probably do the same and see what works best for me.

 

[billf2112]

Slantedbolt,

Samuel Smith oatmeal stout is one of my all time favorite brews. Let us know how that goes if you do it.

Bill

 

[LaurieGator]

I will be honest, I had never tried beer in a brew bucket until my most current one where I needed to rack the porter onto the raspberry puree in the secondary. I could have prevented 2 different "beer-plosions" going with the bucket...

I tend to use my glass carboys for mead and anything that will be in it "long term" (more than a few months). I love the Better Bottle for ales that I put into the bathtub and work a "poor man's water jacket" on it. (bathtub full of water, wrapped carboy and fountain pumps for water recirculation) Now that I have used the bucket for secondary, I can see doing future fruit beers in the bucket and using it more for an extra carboy at less than half of the price...

Just be careful not to scratch the plastic. I have found that Oxy-Clean and hot water does a great job so I don't need to scrub... Be sure to rinse well.

 

[slantedbolt]

Slantedbolt,

Samuel Smith oatmeal stout is one of my all time favorite brews. Let us know how that goes if you do it.

Bill

Since I am doing an ale now, I am going to try a stout next. I have been told that I should try a couple kits first so, I will probably do the Samuel Smith oatmeal stout next. I will keep you updated!

 

[passedpawn]

Maybe do a search. Try "plastic vs. glass". I bet you'll find a lot of good info.

 

[ajf]

I like buckets and glass carboys, but I don't like better bottles.
Glass carboys last a very long time (if you don't break them), but they are heavy, and take up a lot of space. Most of mine are over 30 years old, and still going strong. They can also be quite safe if you use sensible methods for moving them.
In my case, buckets don't last very long, because SWMBO borrows them for non-brewing purposes and occasionally scrubs them with Comet to get rid of the Iodophor stains. But buckets are light, cheap, and stackable (if you use a trash bag as a liner to prevent scratching).
I think better bottles would be great. (SWMBO wouldn't use them as buckets, and couldn't scrub the inside with Comet), but they don't come in a 6.5g size. To me, that's a big disadvantage.

-a.

 

[NewrBrwr]

Thinking about this today as I was brewing...I love the buckets! Funny I bought 2 carboys but only use them if my bucket is in use...they're a breeze to clean and transfer from. Only drawback is not being able to see what's going on. I'll use the buckets for the lower gravity beers as it's more fun to watch the big beers bubble! To each is own though!

 

[slantedbolt]

I like buckets and glass carboys, but I don't like better bottles.
Glass carboys last a very long time (if you don't break them), but they are heavy, and take up a lot of space. Most of mine are over 30 years old, and still going strong. They can also be quite safe if you use sensible methods for moving them.
In my case, buckets don't last very long, because SWMBO borrows them for non-brewing purposes and occasionally scrubs them with Comet to get rid of the Iodophor stains. But buckets are light, cheap, and stackable (if you use a trash bag as a liner to prevent scratching).
I think better bottles would be great. (SWMBO wouldn't use them as buckets, and couldn't scrub the inside with Comet), but they don't come in a 6.5g size. To me, that's a big disadvantage.

-a.

Thanks for this great info man. I am going to try a bucket just for SNG but this info is great.

Thankfully, I have a good size basement so I am not worried about space of the carboys.

Thanks again. Oh, and your signature is great. I = 1

 

[passedpawn]

I honestly don't understand why anyone would use anything other than a 6g better bottle.

 

[mikeysab]

Here we go with one of those 100 page arguments over which one is better. Haha, I love these, and I'll give my two cents. I like better bottles, although they're hard to carry, because I can see what's going on inside that bad boy. I also like them because they're virtually unbreakable, although if filled with 5 gallons of liquid, I can see one breaking. I like plastic buckets because they're easy to carry full, and they stack easily(did I just say that?). I don't like glass because I'm careless, and usually just fling things around, and bump into stuff, and it doesn't help that I usually drink on brew days. I've broken glass carboys, and it's not fun. Buckets are easy to clean, you can add a spigot to them, and you can sanitize a whole bunch of stuff in them while you're cooling your wort.

It's really a matter of preference. People with have a hardcore stance against one, and others will fight to the death of another. You do what you like, and what works for you. I'll give you a small example of arguments and preferences:

I use tap water for my brews (you can argue against tap water) mash in a rectangular cooler (you can argue about the rectangular part, and the cooler part), I boil in an Aluminum pot (you can argue about AL, vs SS) I use an IC (argue about their efficiency), I try to whirlpool and separate wort from trub (oh boy, that's a good one) and I ferment in plastic (we're in that argument now)for 4 weeks primary, and no secondary (another doozy).

My point is, do what works for you. If you got glass, use it. If you got plastic, use it. They're all good, and they all work. Now go make some beer.

 

[92greenyj]

I currently have a Glass Carboy, but I would think a bucket would be easier to clean and sample.

Thoughts and experiences?

Exactly the reasons I do 99% of my fermenting in buckets with spigots on them. I primary in them and do short sedondaries in them. I have 1 carboy and it only gets used for very long secondaries. Beers like Barleywines or imperials.

 

[slantedbolt]

I like better bottles, although they're hard to carry, because I can see what's going on inside that bad boy. I also like them because they're virtually unbreakable, although if filled with 5 gallons of liquid, I can see one breaking. I like plastic buckets because they're easy to carry full, and they stack easily(did I just say that?). Buckets are easy to clean, you can add a spigot to them, and you can sanitize a whole bunch of stuff in them while you're cooling your wort.

It's really a matter of preference. People with have a hardcore stance against one, and others will fight to the death of another. You do what you like, and what works for you. I'll give you a small example of arguments and preferences:

I ferment in plastic (we're in that argument now)for 4 weeks primary, and no secondary (another doozy).

I already knew the answer to my question: Try them all. I just wanted to get a feel for what the pros and cons are. I am going to probably try a bucket first, then a better bottle. We shall see what happens

 

[Captain_Bigelow]

I currently have a Glass Carboy, but I would think a bucket would be easier to clean and sample.

Thoughts and experiences?

 

[Fantastical]

I like glass just because I'm not a huge fan of plastic products. Even if they are food grade.

 

[slantedbolt]

 

[sportscrazed2]

only ever used buckets but i'm going to get a better bottle. those damn lids are almost impossible to get off

 

[Captain_Bigelow]

only ever used buckets but i'm going to get a better bottle. those damn lids are almost impossible to get off

Tip - while the bucket is on the floor put you knee on the center of the lid and press down, then try pulling up the sides. It should make it a lot easier.

 

[sportscrazed2]

Tip - while the bucket is on the floor put you knee on the center of the lid and press down, then try pulling up the sides. It should make it a lot easier.

thanks for the advice dude and that won't force oxygen into the beer?

 

[mikeysab]

If anything, it'll force co2 out, if there's co2 built up yet. If its early enough, you should be able to take the top off without any harm, as the co2 will push out any oxygen.

 

[mikeysab]

I hope that's what would happen. I took the top off my fermentor about 6 times today. Haha, not worried at all. I'm using a BB and a Coopers fermentor and my coopers needed a little adjusting to make a seal. Plenty of co2 pushing out though.

 

[92greenyj]

only ever used buckets but i'm going to get a better bottle. those damn lids are almost impossible to get off

get a bucket wrench. makes it a thousand times easier. they are pretty cheap.

 

[Frankfurtvr4]

I like buckets- they are cheap, lightweight, easy to clean, and unbreakable.

I rarely use my dozens of glass carboys, because they're heavy empty and even heavier full of beer or wine! Of course, I'm a 135 pound weakling.

I have several better bottles, but hate using them for primary because I feel like it's harder to get them clean than a bucket, plus they only come in 6 gallons max. I need a bit more headspace, so I use a 7.9 gallon "ale pail".

So Yooper, does that mean you have some for sale?

 

[Frankfurtvr4]

I like buckets when I am low on carboys. I love to watch the bubbles, it's like an aquarium you get to drink without the fish. Plus when we have guests and they ask how I made it I just point to my bubbles and say, "I didn't they did." Then I get to talk about the process for an hour or until they get sick of hearing it, stop drinking my beer and leave.

 

[Brewer_Bob]

Buckets are opaque. This can be both and advantage and a disadvantage. It is a disadvantage if you like to be able to see the beer the whole time. It is an advantage in that it keeps out the light. For me this is a huge advantage because my house has no closet space and every room has windows.

 

[sportscrazed2]

get a bucket wrench. makes it a thousand times easier. they are pretty cheap.

thanks for the advice had no idea something like that existed.

 

[Revvy]

Although you can get them online or at brewshops, you can also find them for about a buck at any hardware store.

They are for opening 5 gallon plastic buckets.

 

[sportscrazed2]

cool i will check out the hardware store. thanks for the advice.

 

[Skarekrough]

The problem I tend to have with buckets is the risk of stacking them up and with something attached to the outside gouging up the inside of the other that can harbor bacteria.

Glass is fragile and can break. But I also make it a point to stash them in a place where they're well out of the way. I find it's nice to make a daily task out of checking out how it's going rather than just having it out in the open.

As I have two small children the question comes down to really which one is less prone to potential damage. My theory is that with so many of their toys being made of plastic they see a bucket and gravitate to it. I've seen this when brewing; they'll come into the kitchen and won't touch the carboy because it's big and glass and they know thusly that it's fragile....but the plastic buckets with the "toddler could fall in and drown" graphic on it? Yeah....beeline right for the thing!!!

 

[sportscrazed2]

yeah my first bottling bucket got scratched simply by stacking the fermenting bucket inside it

 

[Yooper]

So Yooper, does that mean you have some for sale?

Heck no- I have about 10 of them full of wine. I just rarely have to move those!

 

[Revvy]

yeah my first bottling bucket got scratched simply by stacking the fermenting bucket inside it

But realistically, have you ever gone to a homebrewshop and NOT seen all the bucket fermenters stacked on inside the other? I frequent quite a few and I've never seen them stored any differently than at homedespot. If you run your hand inside your fermenters they are not going to fee 100% smooth. There's always shallow scratches and roughness on the surface. It's really the deep gouges that are of concern for sanization sake, and even then if you are meticulous in your cleaning and sanitization, you'd be ok.

 

[akthor]

If you put the lid on it and stack them on TOP of each other and don't nest them they take up as much space as carboys.

The whole scratched bucket thing is an urban myth IMHO though. Cleaned and properly sanatized there is no more risk of infection than anything else. Folks have used their buckets for years with scratches and no problems.

If you can afford carboys, and you like the blingyness, and you wanna see your stuff ferment, and don't mind the weight, the narrow opening and the danger of breaking them, then just SAY so.

Don't try to justify it by saying you are worried about scratches You have to take more care trying not to break your carboy than it requires to not scratch a bucket.

Just Sat. morning I had filled a wine bottle with Apfelwein and it slipped out of my hand as I was moving to put a cork in it What a friggin mess to clean up. And this was in the basement. I brew in the kitchen and have to carry my fermenters downstairs the thought of the mess a 5 gallon carboy full dropped in my kitchen or on the stairs or in the basement is enough to keep me using buckets.

I actually was offered by a friend who used to brew to use two of his carboys and a bucket he had since he wasn't going to be brewing anytime soon. I took the bucket but said no thanks to the carboys, I am just to afraid of breaking them.

I respect the hell out of you guys that do. I wish I could especially for non-beers like Apfelwein. But I am too dumb an clumsy

The problem I tend to have with buckets is the risk of stacking them up and with something attached to the outside gouging up the inside of the other that can harbor bacteria.

Glass is fragile and can break. But I also make it a point to stash them in a place where they're well out of the way. I find it's nice to make a daily task out of checking out how it's going rather than just having it out in the open.

As I have two small children the question comes down to really which one is less prone to potential damage. My theory is that with so many of their toys being made of plastic they see a bucket and gravitate to it. I've seen this when brewing; they'll come into the kitchen and won't touch the carboy because it's big and glass and they know thusly that it's fragile....but the plastic buckets with the "toddler could fall in and drown" graphic on it? Yeah....beeline right for the thing!!!

 

[AnOldUR]

but that's the same flawed argument people use for not wearing seat belts. No matter how careful you are moving glass carboys with milk crates and handles, you can still slip while cleaning or bump it into something. At best, you lose a batch of beer. At worst, you end up in the hospital.

Not going to get in on the glass vs. plastic debate, but it’s your argument that is flawed. It’s like saying, don’t cross the street because if you get hit by a car you may die. Better to look both ways, trust your judgement and proceed with caution.



But you may be convinced that there’s nothing on the other side of the street worth seeing. :cross:

 

[kingmatt]

I will never use glass carboys for brewing because of the safety issue. I have made a lot of tasty beer with my plastic "ale pail" and better bottles and I can't imagine that, even if using glass is better for your beer, it would be THAT much better that the safety risk would be worth it.

To each their own, but I have read enough "my carboy shattered and sliced my tendon" stories to keep me happily brewing with plastic.

 

[Valcarde]

I've got 3 glass carboys. I'd use Better Bottles if I had 'em. I can't see myself using buckets, as I like the beer porn of seeing what's going on in the fermenter