Carboy vs Bucket Fermenting??
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LLBeanJ
Well-Known Member
The only thing I know of is glass is not really susceptible to scratches, which could potentially harbor organisms you don't want in your beer. Personally, I've used carboys back when I first got into brewing, but moved to buckets soon after due to ease of use. Everything about buckets is easier to deal with. The beer comes out the same in the end.
wilserbrewer
BIAB Expert Tailor
Plastic over glass for me. The dangerous downside of glass far out weighs the minor benefits. The downsides of plastic are over stated IMO.
Plastic for me, largest glass vessel I would ever use for beer is 16 oz
Plastic for me, largest glass vessel I would ever use for beer is 16 oz
The only real advantages to using glass is for storing beer for longer than a few months for long term aging and the fact that you can see the fermentation as it happens. The downsides to glass carboys include the weight, fragility, ability to send you to the emergency room, and the small opening to make additions through and clean.
If you really want to see the fermention happening, put a bit of the wort in a quart jar and add a pinch of bread yeast. Handling a quart jar will be safer and much lighter to move about.:rockin:
Years ago I had a string of contaminated batches from plastic buckets where I had previously made sour beers. I have since switched to glass and have not had another problem since.
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I have a couple of Northern Brewer's Bigmouth Bubbler. Before I brewed my first batch I watched a friend go through the process using a glass carboy. I was struck by its weight and slickness in handling, and when I read about the horror stories of them breaking, well, that was it for me.
The BMB weighs...maybe a pound. Incredibly light. It's clear plastic so I can see fermentation, kreusen formation, whether it's dropped clear or not. The mouth is wide, so I can get my arm entirely in the vessel to clean it. I just use PBW and a soft rag so I don't scratch it.
My original BMB was no spigot but when I bought my second I purchased the spigot version. I've since bought another spigot and I'm going to drill a hole and install it on the first BMB I bought.
So--is there any advantage to a glass carboy? Other than for very long term fermentation/conditioning, IMO there is not.
The BMB weighs...maybe a pound. Incredibly light. It's clear plastic so I can see fermentation, kreusen formation, whether it's dropped clear or not. The mouth is wide, so I can get my arm entirely in the vessel to clean it. I just use PBW and a soft rag so I don't scratch it.
My original BMB was no spigot but when I bought my second I purchased the spigot version. I've since bought another spigot and I'm going to drill a hole and install it on the first BMB I bought.
So--is there any advantage to a glass carboy? Other than for very long term fermentation/conditioning, IMO there is not.
I take it you've been happy with the big mouth bubblers? I keep reading mix reviews on them but would like to get one to replace my old bucket.
On to the OP's question. I've been happy with my bucket and my FastFerment plastic conical fermenters. I even have a small 3 gallon plastic carboy & an old Mr. Beer (modded to seal better & airlock) for some smaller test batches. I'm happy with plastic and I'm careful to clean them. With all the horror stories of glass I stay away from it.
Good luck with your decision!!
beergolf
Well-Known Member
I use buckets most of the time. Easy to use, easy to clean( just do not scrub them) A quick rinse and a gentle wipe with a soft cloth does the job. Easy to move around. I had a few that had probably 50 brews in them. I did recently replace some of the older ones.
That being said I do use carboys for long tem aging of my sours and brett beers, but they are always kept in milk crates.
That being said I do use carboys for long tem aging of my sours and brett beers, but they are always kept in milk crates.
Here's one of the threads about carboy accidents: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=376523
GHBWNY
Well-Known Member
No. Read the threads on disasters/near disasters with carboys.
Black Island Brewer
An Ode to Beer
I've fermented in glass for 20+ years, and I like it for its scratch resistance, oxygen impermeability, and being able to see through it when fermenting and racking. I did break one a couple years ago (first one ever), but a saw the crack before I put anything in it, don't know how it cracked. I used to dread cleaning them, but with oxyclean and a jet washer, it just takes time for the soak.
But to avoid one because of a thread of photos of injuries from broken carboys is akin to not driving a car due to photos of wrecks caused by texting and driving.
But to avoid one because of a thread of photos of injuries from broken carboys is akin to not driving a car due to photos of wrecks caused by texting and driving.
hockeyrounds
Active Member
I don't think anyone has gone to the hospital after handling plastic buckets / carboys.
Plastic over glass for me. The dangerous downside of glass far out weighs the minor benefits. The downsides of plastic are over stated IMO.
Plastic for me, largest glass vessel I would ever use for beer is 16 oz
I'm willing to go as big as a Maß (33.6 ounces).
BTW, I ferment in stainless.
MaryB
Well-Known Member
Think I will stick to plastic buckets! Cheap enough to replace as needed, if I drop one it bounces, and they are far lighter which my bad back enjoys!
Never a good reason to use glass.... They are heavy, hard-to clean, and a bloody disaster waiting to happen. Now plastic PET carboys are a different story. While they are more difficult to clean, you can see the clarity of your beer and how vigorous fermentation is. Also can transfer from carboy to keg without a siphon starter which I loathe. But buckets are nice- much easier to clean.
brandonnys
Well-Known Member
I use plastic buckets similar to this: http://www.homebrewing.org/AIH-8-Gallon-Fermenting-Bucket-and-Lid_p_5183.html. They work great. I have many of these, and I allocate them to primary fermentation.
I transfer almost all of my batches from the brew bucket to PET carboys. I might start a riot with this comment, but I only trust Better Bottles: http://www.better-bottle.com/. I brewed years ago with a friend who swore by reusing those translucent blue water jugs, and I feel like I could always taste them. I've tested batches side-by-side with glass and Better Bottles, and there's no perceivable difference.
P.s. I'm not affiliated with Better Bottle in any way. I just like their product.
I transfer almost all of my batches from the brew bucket to PET carboys. I might start a riot with this comment, but I only trust Better Bottles: http://www.better-bottle.com/. I brewed years ago with a friend who swore by reusing those translucent blue water jugs, and I feel like I could always taste them. I've tested batches side-by-side with glass and Better Bottles, and there's no perceivable difference.
P.s. I'm not affiliated with Better Bottle in any way. I just like their product.
Another good clear plastic option is the Fermonster. It's very similar to a Big Mouth Bubbler but it has a rubber O-ring to help the lid seal. The plastic BMB does not have a rubber gasket or anything to help it seal. I have both and have never been able to get my BMB to seal tightly. The Fermonster seals very well.
Mismost
Well-Known Member
Buckets...they are not just for brewing! I love a good plastic bucket! Great storage for all kinds of crap and reusable for so many other things.
Buckets free up my very cool looking glass carboys (yes, I am a shallow person...about as deep as mud puddle) for long term aging of my wines. I just love seeing all the carboys topped off, and lined up like soldiers in a row.
Buckets free up my very cool looking glass carboys (yes, I am a shallow person...about as deep as mud puddle) for long term aging of my wines. I just love seeing all the carboys topped off, and lined up like soldiers in a row.
brandonnys
Well-Known Member
Mismost makes a good point. Anytime I'm going to age a beer for an extended period of time, I rely on my heavy, thick glass carboys. Mostly because I know I'm not going to be moving them around a bunch and risking breaking them. I keep several on hand just for that.
oljimmy
Well-Known Member
Maybe I'm just an idiot, but for the scratch-resistance and oxygen impermeability, I'll take glass carboys. I handle mine carefully, clean them real easily with PBW and hot water, and have had zero issues. I just can't shake the worry about plastic: a scratch forms, nasties get in there, star san doesn't reach 'em, boom, sour beer.
brandonnys
Well-Known Member
For my carboys (Better Bottles), I follow their instructions and have never had to use a scrub brush, which means no scratches. Just heat up some water with some oxyclean/PBW, rock it back and forth on its side, and everything comes out. Follow the same procedure to sanitize. The plastic is hydrophobic, so it cleans really easily.
There is a but of O2 permeation, but for me it's negligible and not really worth worrying about. I probably introduce more O2 doing other, more stupid things.
I can't say the my brew buckets are as easy to maintain, but because they're so open at the top, getting them nice and clean/sanitary isn't much of a concern.
I've nothing against glass, except they're heavy and my arms are scrawny, so they're difficult to handle when full of beer. From a cleanliness and O2 perspective, they have their merits.
There is a but of O2 permeation, but for me it's negligible and not really worth worrying about. I probably introduce more O2 doing other, more stupid things.
I can't say the my brew buckets are as easy to maintain, but because they're so open at the top, getting them nice and clean/sanitary isn't much of a concern.
I've nothing against glass, except they're heavy and my arms are scrawny, so they're difficult to handle when full of beer. From a cleanliness and O2 perspective, they have their merits.
According to the Aug/Sept 2012 issue of Wine Maker, the blue tinted water bottles contain BPA and shouldn't be used for fermenters. I don't know if that's still true.
Plastic over glass for me. The dangerous downside of glass far out weighs the minor benefits. The downsides of plastic are over stated IMO.
Plastic for me, largest glass vessel I would ever use for beer is 16 oz
Not even a proper 20oz pint? For shame.
FWIW I use both glass and buckets. Buckets are easier to clean, but I prefer glass carboys. They're pretty and I like being able to see what's going on during the fermentation.
oljimmy
Well-Known Member
Aaaand I'll just leave this here:
http://brulosophy.com/2016/05/16/fe...stic-pet-vs-glass-carboy-exbeeriment-results/
http://brulosophy.com/2016/05/16/fe...stic-pet-vs-glass-carboy-exbeeriment-results/
Plastic buckets: are difficult to make sure they are sealed properly (oxidizing your beer). Can't see inside. Scratch easily and need to be replaced. Easy to add fruit, oak etc. due to wide opening. Not good for long term aging and even for short-term fermentation, I think they are not great.
PET (better bottle style) fermenters: best in my opinion. Clear, seal well, have different shapes and sizes, light, easy to transfer beer in and out. Negligible oxygen permeability, won't break. Easy to add fruit etc. due to wider opening. Downside: can't be rough with them during cleaning.
Glass: classic look, transparent, easy to clean (even if infected). Downside: heavy, dangerous if broken. But once you know this and don't do stupid stuff they can last a very long time.
Tip: keep each glass carboy in plastic milk crate and never take it out. Empty carboys using siphon (don't tilt it upside down while wet!). Don't put boiling hot wort in them etc.
Kegs as fermenters: can't see inside. Stainless easy to clean. Can easily adapt by removing the dip tube and sticking plastic tubing over it. if you are kegging you already have some spare ones probably. Easy to make sure no oxygen gets in (purge with CO2). Easy to transfer beer out without exposing to oxygen. Easy to move.
In my personal rankings, it goes:
1. PET better bottles
2. Glass carboys (just be careful moving it)
3. Kegs
4. Plastic buckets
SGTSparty
Well-Known Member
Maybe a stupid thing to do but I ferment in bottling buckets. I don't a) use a secondary b) dry hop c) age beer longer than 3 or 4 weeks. I also keg and as long as I take apart the spigot and clean it really well before brewing and then hit it again with sanitize inside and out before moving off the yeast/trub and into the kegs I haven't had a problem thus far. Purge the keg w/ CO2 before you fill it and you have almost no risk of oxidation and super easy to clean. Also since the buckets are opaque I just leave them on the workbench in my dimly lit beer room in the cool basement and once I set it I don't have to move it until I've racked into the keg.
Somebody should tell Sierra Nevada that they are oxidizing their beer.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xClXKMhcFr0[/ame]
Oxidizing beer in the primary is nearly impossible. Once the beer starts fermenting and releasing CO2, the oxygen laden air is expelled because CO2 is about 1.5 times as dense and displaces the air.
GHBWNY
Well-Known Member
All the talk in favor of glass carboys based upon "being able to see fermentation" doesn't make sense. Is seeing your fermentation a cool thing? Perhaps to some. But is it an advantage over not being able to see it through opaque plastic? No. For one thing, your beer shouldn't be exposed to light; it should be completely covered or placed in a dark place during ferm. So, there's no advantage to a glass carboy in that sense. Even if it is covered or in the dark, you shouldn't keep taking a peek at it in order to assess its progress --- that's done with a hydrometer regardless of the type of ferm vessel. Bubbling, not bubbling doesn't tell you a thing about the condition of your beer.
I love to watch my airlock bubble, but it's pure entertainment, not brewing science; seeing it tells me nothing.
I love to watch my airlock bubble, but it's pure entertainment, not brewing science; seeing it tells me nothing.
yes, sure - no homebrewer ever oxidized their beer. Ever!
Also, if you are singling out primary - do you transfer to secondary? from bucket to... carboy? Then why not use carboy to begin with?
If you got your health yeast and the whole process down to the point that you bottle your beers after 3-5 days, like commercial breweries do, then sure - go ahead and use buckets only. If you are asking about buckets vs. carboys, you probably ferment for 2-3 weeks and probably will get stuck fermentation once in a while.
http://brulosophy.com/2014/10/14/the-impact-of-fermentation-vessel-exbeeriment-results/
Besides, I bet you most people who are asking about buckets won't be able to tell if their bucket cover is sealed properly.
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