Can I transfer my sparge water using a plastic bucket.

[fishnfever]

I have been carrying 5 gallons of 185 deg water across the garage and it is getting to be a PITA. I dump approximately 2.5 gallons in after the first running's stop. Then repeat with the remaining amount. So at first I have to carry gallons. After that its not so bad. Could I use a bucket to transfer my sparge water to my mash tun? I don't see why not but would love input. Also how much heat loss would there be by using a plastic bucket?


My Garage is very tight so moving thins to one spot is not that simple

 

[rico567]

I think the HDPE in a regular FDA approved white plastic bucket will take temperatures close to boiling......maybe up to 250F, but I'm not sure. US Plastics sells a ton of these, and I'd bet the info would be on their web site.

My personal experience in using buckets for hot water is that they'll take it, but I also think it will prematurely age them....of course, a lot of my buckets were pretty aged to start with.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Yes, an HDPE bucket will work fine, I sometimes use a gallon rubbernaid pitcher, but my hlt is next to the MT.

 

[wacko]

Have you considered brew in a bag method?

 

[Sean]

I have poured boiling water into a food grade bucket, no problem, and they are pretty good insulators. Better than metal.

Silly question: why not open the garage door and brew in the driveway? But I don't know your situation. Luck!

 

[fishnfever]

I have poured boiling water into a food grade bucket, no problem, and they are pretty good insulators. Better than metal.

Silly question: why not open the garage door and brew in the driveway? But I don't know your situation. Luck!

I realy dont want drag my stuff out side lol. Plus winter is rite around the corner brrrrrr. Would I lose a lot of heat by transferring hot water to a pail then rite to my cooler ( mash tun )?

 

[samc]

You will drop some degrees, but you really need to test it. Heat the water to 190F and then wait on it to cool a bit if it doesn't happen with transfer.

Also, what about transferring via hose & siphon?

 

[Germelli1]

I head my sparge water on the stove, then transfer to my bottling bucket. I just use that spigot to carry the hot water via siphon hose to my mash tun.

It helps me keep self control when fly sparging to keep things slow

 

[WenValley]

I use five gallon plastic buckets to transfer (almost) boiling wort. The temperature of the wort makes the buckets deform more than when moving cooler water or wort.

From a safety standpoint use caution. I do wonder what would happen if the wire handle were to fail. I don't brew in shorts or wear sandals, not that long pants or sturdy shoes would help much..

 

[Germelli1]

Since I no-chill, I dump my wort strait from the pot into the fermenter...nothing like some extra sanatization!

 

[Revvy]

I use my bottling bucket for this, since I find that the gradient measurements are really accurate.

 

[Toecutter]

I do it all the time. Friend of mine has a Pool service business, so I have a ready supply of plastic chlorine buckets which I just clean out. I heat the water to about 175 dg. transfer to the bucket, and dump it in. works well for me.

 

[adam01]

I use a rectangular cooler. The ones with the drain in the side. Nice hookup for
my sparge manifold...

It keeps the heat in, but you must adjust for the specific heat of the cooler.

 

[wilserbrewer]

" Can I transfer my sparge water using a plastic bucket"

Yes, get a little 2 gallon "bakery" bucket and move a lil at a time. I assume you have been carrying the HLT across the garage....NG!

 

[OLDBREW]

Just make sure the bucket you are using is made to work at the temperatures you will will be transferring your liquids at. The wire handle on a five gallon hdpe bucket will easily hold the weight. US Plastics has 6-7 gal HDPE buckets rated at 190*F.

If your garage is really cold, and outside is even colder in the winter, you could lose 10+*F between the two transfers. (boiler to bucket.. bucket to tun). You'll have to determine that by trial and error.

 

[fishnfever]

Thanks for all the great replies. I was thinking of adding a thermometer to so called bucket. I could easily see any temp loss and be able to correct for any temp loss.

I assume you have been carrying the HLT across the garage....NG!

Yup. Its not all that bad but if I can make it easier why not :rockin: