Do any of you just mostly use buckets for fermenting?

[magnj]

I have 5 HDPE containers, a 6 gallon BB and 2 Home Depot Buckets. I like the buckets the only thing is the lids are a pain in the ass and I always break them. The BB is great with the racking adapter but expensive and a pain to clean when I don't have anything to re-pitch onto the cake. The HDPE containers are the best so far but probably suck to clean and will need to be drilled for racking adapters/spigots.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I am one of those rare breeds who saw the glass carboy as a health risk from the start.

I only use buckets. But, I also use liners too.

At least until that glycol chilled conical mysteriously arrives on my doorstep.

 

[maho]

Another great thing about buckets is that you can put the hot wort in the bucket and cool the wort directly in the bucket, and thereby sanitize the equipment further.

Dump all the near boiling hot wort right out of your brewpot into the bucket put the chiller in and lid on top, leave it for 5 mins will kill any germs left after cleaning bucket, lid and chiller. Then turn on the water and the wort is cooled. Afterward it is just removing the chiller, pitch and put the lid and airlock on again.

I have used this method repeatedly and newer had an infection. Compared to a carboy of BB where it is kind of hard to get the chiller into the wort.

Hommel Homebrew

 

[Arkador]

2 buckets and 1 glass carboy. I primary ales in the buckets every time.

 

[koolmonk66]

Buckets rule for all the reasons you stated. Just use a sponge to clean (right after they are emptied) and they will last.

I only use glass for lagering.

 

[ifishsum]

Primary = bucket, unless it's an applewein/cider or mead...then carboy...
Secondary = carboy...

Same here...I've got 3 primary buckets and 2 glass carboys for secondaries. I just find the buckets easier to tote around, clean, etc. When full the carboys rarely move more than a few feet up to the bench for racking.

 

[BrewBrain]

I haven't seen my carboys in at least a year.

 

[mmb]

I am one of those rare breeds who saw the glass carboy as a health risk from the start.

I only use buckets. But, I also use liners too.

At least until that glycol chilled conical mysteriously arrives on my doorstep.

Something has to keep that BrewMagic company.

 

[BioBeing]

Primary in buckets. My kit came with a 5 gallon glass carboy, so I use that for secondary. I'm about to need a second secondary though, as I bulk age an old ale for 6 months or more, so I might pick up a better bottle at the LHBS next visit.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Something has to keep that BrewMagic company.

Mommah?.....

 

[adx]

I'm also a bucket man. Usually let it sit 3 or 4 weeks and then right into a keg. If I'm dry hopping, I'll put the hops into a large hop bag I have and toss it right into the keg.

 

[Buffman]

I used a bucket for years before taking a break from homebrewing. When I restarted brewing, I noticed my bucket smelled like old beer and was not entirely smooth on the inside, suggesting that it was not altoghether sanitary (or sanitizable, given the scratches). Instead of replacing plastic with more plastic that I'd have to replace agan sometime, I went all glass. Heavier, but easier to clean and, unless I drop one, I won't have to replace it. I use a 6.5 gallon for primary and 5-gallons for secondaries.

 

[springer]

15 gallon sanke kegs mostly now. I do have a HDPE 15 gallon fermenter like Edwort has from US Plastics

 

[jjp36]

I use buckets for all my primaries. I do use glass for beers that i secondary though.

 

[bashe]

I have been using buckets but recently I have switched to better bottles. The reason for that is I have started saving some of the yeast to repitch and just think it a greater chance of something getting into an open bucket than an open better bottle. Plus my fermentation chamber holds 3 fermenters and I have 3 better bottles so it kinda works out.

 

[78kombi]

bucket head here

 

[Poindexter]

I had a couple glass carboys (OK, OK, Ihad four of them) when I outgrew my first plastic bucket. Then I got my first Corny.

I do everything in Cornies now. Primary, secondary, tertiary, quarternary, serving, all good. UV proof, only a few dollars more than a glass carboy, unbreakable and versatile.

I like the standardization, write on them with a sharpie, comes off easy in hot Oxyclean, they got handles on them fromt he factory.

I got a mash tun, a kettle and a bunch of cornies. That's all. Well, I have some bottles, but that is way after the bucket in the process.

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

I primary only in buckets for at least 3 weeks, preferably 4.
I use BB carboys for apfelwein and secondary for fruit beers.

I find it a PIA to rack to a secondary for a "clearer" beer when you can get similar results with an extended primary. Plus I hate cleaning carboys, or any equipment for that matter the less clean up the better.

 

[rico567]

I haven't been brewing all that long, but never saw the need to go beyond the plastic bucket. First, I don't believe all the stuff about chemicals getting into your beer from the plastic; all strictly hypothetical. Second, there's just no comparison between the ease of cleaning & maintenance between a bucket & a carboy. I use carboys for secondary, the glass ones only for extended periods...I've got a Winter Ale down for a long nap in one now. As far as what some people have said -the "yeast TV" thing- well, it's probably as entertaining as a lot of stuff on the tube, but I saw that once on a YouTube video, and I think that was enough.
In fact....I'm thinking about trying those extended primaries.....gotta get more buckets.

 

[boydak]

I use buckests but do have one carboy if I secondary something.

Sometimes I use the carboy for primary cuz it is fun to watch but buckest are easier to clean and use.

 

[aeonderdonk]

I use glass carboys. I like to be able to see the beer and also want to stay away from plastic for any bacteria harboring crevices and possible off flavours

 

[78kombi]

I had a couple glass carboys (OK, OK, Ihad four of them) when I outgrew my first plastic bucket. Then I got my first Corny.

I do everything in Cornies now. Primary, secondary, tertiary, quarternary, serving, all good. UV proof, only a few dollars more than a glass carboy, unbreakable and versatile.

I like the standardization, write on them with a sharpie, comes off easy in hot Oxyclean, they got handles on them fromt he factory.

I got a mash tun, a kettle and a bunch of cornies. That's all. Well, I have some bottles, but that is way after the bucket in the process.

im with you, i realize now, that carboys are better replaced with cornys,