Carboy vs bucket

[mattjgalloway]

I only brew 1 gallon batches, for a few reasons. Mainly due to space constraints and the fact I like that I get to do more brew days and try more things. I'm only a few months into it and I have already done 7 brews.

Anyway!

I started with a Brooklyn Brewshop kit which has a glass carboy. It's good, but I often get blow off because there's very little headspace. That's ok, I have a good blow off tube rigged up. But I do lose a little in the process.

Then I recently got a 5 litre bucket. My sense is the bucket is easier to use for filling it and taking samples. And blow off is less likely because there's more headspace for the same amount of beer.

So I'm considering getting another bucket and have those 2 on the go.

But is there a reason for me to stick with the glass carboy? Are certain beers brewed better in the glass carboy?

 

[Skep18]

Generally glass is only said to be preferred for long term aging for like more than a few months. For typical batches both buckets and carboys are fine.

If a bucket adds convenience and you prefer them, there's no reason not to use them. Just be careful when cleaning them to not use the abrasive side of a cleaning pad as if you scratch up the inside over time some say it can create areas where bacteria may reside and threaten to infect a batch.

 

[mattjgalloway]

@Skep18

Great! Thanks for the thoughts! I think I may end up getting a 2 gallon bucket and then I can at least migrate up in the volume a little if I can find a slightly bigger pot.

 

[RM-MN]

@Skep18

Great! Thanks for the thoughts! I think I may end up getting a 2 gallon bucket and then I can at least migrate up in the volume a little if I can find a slightly bigger pot.

If the price difference isn't too big and you have the space, consider a 5 gallon bucket instead. You might be able to get them from a bakery as they may get frosting in them. Sometime they will give them to you. Free is good.

 

[mattjgalloway]

If the price difference isn't too big and you have the space, consider a 5 gallon bucket instead. You might be able to get them from a bakery as they may get frosting in them. Sometime they will give them to you. Free is good.

Interesting... And it's OK to do a 1 gallon in a 5 gallon bucket?

 

[sixwinds]

The only issue you may run into is headspace - meaning that there will be a lot of extra space in the bucket. This is not an issue during fermentation as the CO2 pushes out all of the oxygen, but if you open the bucket after fermentation it will fill with oxygen which could add off flavors to your beer.

That being said I normally brew 3 gallons and ferment in a 6 gallon carboy with no major issues.

 

[RM-MN]

I do a lot of 2 1/2 gallon batches in a 6 1/2 gallon pail with no problems. I only open the lid to take hydrometer samples when I think it should be done or to dry hop. If you limit the times that you open and don't open it where it is windy, you shouldn't have much oxygen get in. CO2 is quite dense.

 

[mattjgalloway]

Excellent! Thanks for all the advice everyone!

 

[C-Rider]

@Skep18

Great! Thanks for the thoughts! I think I may end up getting a 2 gallon bucket and then I can at least migrate up in the volume a little if I can find a slightly bigger pot.

HD sells 2 gallon buckets and w/the right combination you can produce 3 six packs w/each brew.

 

[hbco]

One other point, but I use both carboys and buckets. When dry hopping you might want to use a hop sock; where you leave it in for a couple of days and remove it. It's probably impossible to do with a carboy but very easy to do with a bucket.

 

[mattjgalloway]

One other point, but I use both carboys and buckets. When dry hopping you might want to use a hop sock; where you leave it in for a couple of days and remove it. It's probably impossible to do with a carboy but very easy to do with a bucket.

This is one of my reasons for going all bucket actually!