Fermentation Vessels

[IreWay78]

What's better? Glass Carboy, or PET Carboy? Ready to invest, but want the pros and cons of both. I trust y'alls opinions far more than what I see on the interwebs!

 

[jack13]

Most who have used both will tell you PET. There's really no disadvantage vs. glass, and PET is lighter and safer. PET will scratch easier, but you only have to worry about scratching the inside, which is pretty tough to do with a carboy because of the small mouth.

However, if you plan to age anything long term, consider having one glass vessel, as glass does not allow any O2 transfer but PET does. PET would probably even be fine for that, though. I prefer to use glass for long-term aging so I don't have to even think about O2.

 

[IreWay78]

Most who have used both will tell you PET. There's really no disadvantage vs. glass, and PET is lighter and safer. PET will scratch easier, but you only have to worry about scratching the inside, which is pretty tough to do with a carboy because of the small mouth.

However, if you plan to age anything long term, consider having one glass vessel, as glass does not allow any O2 transfer but PET does. PET would probably even be fine for that, though. I prefer to use glass for long-term aging so I don't have to even think about O2.

I've seen advantages and disadvantages to long term aging in the fermenter versus in bottle. As I'm not familiar with the process, can you indulge?

 

[AkTom]

/\ this. I use all glass, because that’s what was available. I’m not opposed to glass. I never set it directly on the concrete. Never lift a full carboy by the neck. Always whisper sweet nothings to them. They will always treat you right.
I will admit, that wide mouth carboys would be nice. As always, take what you read with a grain of salt. Get, use, and make what works for you.
Cheers

 

[jack13]

I've seen advantages and disadvantages to long term aging in the fermenter versus in bottle. As I'm not familiar with the process, can you indulge?

I've also heard both sides when it comes to aging in the fermenter (in bulk) vs. aging in bottles. But I did not decide to fermenter/bulk age instead of bottle age; my decision I guess is bulk age in glass or in a keg. I'd just as soon use a keg since I could then put CO2 over it for good measure, but at the moment don't have extra kegs to take out of circulation for long periods (I have the same # of taps as kegs). But it's one of the things I've got my eye out for.

In other words, I'm no help.

 

[Murphys_Law]

I ditched glass for beer (still use some for wine though) and use the Fermonsters.

My reasoning: safer, easier to move (I brew out side and have to carry the fermenter through my garage and down into the basement and I don’t want to lug glass around), inexpensive, wide opening - easy to clean and get stuff in and out (dry hop bag if I used one, Tilt, etc), easy to add a spigot, and easy to do closed loop pressure transfers into the keg.

That said I’d probably get a SS Brewtech Brewbucket if it would fit in my mini fridge ferm chamber.

 

[anotherbeerplease]

I have had PET crack when using heated PBW solution to clean. But I have also broken a glass fermentor which can be pretty dangerous/scary. So for me there is no perfect solution. One thing I will say is that I don't worry one bit about the "breathability" of the PET containers. Just another boogey man of brewing that never seems to have any real affects.

 

[Blazinlow86]

i would get a pet wide mouth like the fermonster. glass is dangerous and kinda difficult to clean. cheers

 

[davidabcd]

I would consider the regular 6.5 gallon fermenting bucket as an option. Cleaning is a breeze and it's easy to keep scratch-free. With the shape of it and since I use only dry yeast, there's not even a chance of blow off.

 

[GPP33]

I have had PET crack when using heated PBW solution to clean. But I have also broken a glass fermentor which can be pretty dangerous/scary. So for me there is no perfect solution. One thing I will say is that I don't worry one bit about the "breathability" of the PET containers. Just another boogey man of brewing that never seems to have any real affects.

I don't know if it's a "boogyman", I haven't done a side by side comparison for myself to determine if it's noticeable. I do however know that if there is a perceivable difference it's well worth it. Of course everyone's balance point will be different.

To the OP, If you like the idea of lighter equipment, no breakage/lost beer/lost appendages, easy siphon free closed transfers, easy access for dry hopping and the ability to do pressurized CO2 cold crashing then I'd take a good look at Fermonsters.

 

[millatime]

I am using a 7 gallon SS conical and am loving it. Super easy to clean and sanitize, and super easy to use/dry hop/test etc.

 

[VirginiaHops1]

I used a bucket to start out but when I moved to 2.5 gallon batches I got some plastic 3 gallon Better Bottles. I happened across a thread here about injuries due to broken glass carboys and it scared the bejesus out of me. So far the Better Bottles are great. I soak with hot water and oxyclean after fermentation and they never need scrubbing. I'll probably pick up a 6 gallon Better Bottle when I decide to do another big batch and ditch the bucket.

 

[S-Met]

I'm a fan of the fermonster for the big lids. Big mouth bubbler seems good, but way the lid inserts made me feel lile it would be more prone to contamination.

 

[schematix]

stainless steel

 

[eltorrente]

I used glass carboys for 20+ years, and recently went to SS Brewtech Brewbuckets and I'll never go back. They are great and worth the price in my opinion.

 

[Jayjay1976]

I have four fermonsters, all ported. They are easy to clean and wouldn't mangle me if I dropped one the way glass carboys would. I love them, getting ready to order 2 more.

Edit: I've never fermented in a bucket, but there's nothing wrong with that either. Other factors will affect your beer to a far greater degree.

 

[RPh_Guy]

All things considered, a ported Fermonster is the clear choice.

No pun intended

 

[passedpawn]

What's better? Glass Carboy, or PET Carboy? Ready to invest, but want the pros and cons of both. I trust y'alls opinions far more than what I see on the interwebs!

I'd suggest starting with plastic wide mouth fermentors. Search Fermonster and Big Mouth Bubbler. Get the 6.5 or 7g size.

 

[North_of_60]

I use a 6.5 gallon bucket and transfer with an auto-siphon. I don't believe in spigots in a fermentor, I'm too lazy to take it apart for cleaning. The bucket is cheap, strong, easy to clean and easy to move. And, I use it to carry water to my BIAB mash tun/boiling kettle. IF it gets scratched (it won't break or crack) I can replace it for less than half the cost of a Fermonster and still have a bucket to store grain in.

I stopped using a lid 3 batches ago when my lid started leaking. Now, I cover the bucket with stretch wrap and secure it with an elastic band. I doubt that I'll replace the lid. With the stretch wrap I can see what's going on. I like that better than hearing the airlock.

But, that's just me. Do what makes sense for you.

 

[eltorrente]

I use a 6.5 gallon bucket and transfer with an auto-siphon. I don't believe in spigots in a fermentor, I'm too lazy to take it apart for cleaning.

It's funny - I have the opposite view.

I'm too lazy to deal with siphoning from carboys, so now I use a spigot(s) (SS Brewbucket). The whole process is so much easier and streamlined.

 

[North_of_60]

It's funny - I have the opposite view.

I'm too lazy to deal with siphoning from carboys, so now I use a spigot(s) (SS Brewbucket). The whole process is so much easier and streamlined.

If I wasn’t such a cheapskate, I’d have a SS Brewbucket and clean the spigot.

 

[thepicklebrewer]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/index.php?threads/646313/
I am looking into basically making a cheap ss brew bucket out of a kettle. Seems really easy and the people who have done it seem to think it's really nice. I have purchased my materials for 2, but haven't put it together yet. All in all it was about 120 bucks for 2 of them, but I have the equipment to make a few more if I want. The most expensive part is the kettle.

 

[GPP33]

It's funny - I have the opposite view.

I'm too lazy to deal with siphoning from carboys, so now I use a spigot(s) (SS Brewbucket). The whole process is so much easier and streamlined.

Agreed. Spigots are way easier to deal with than siphons; setup, operation and cleaning.

 

[Dee74]

Not to hijack the thread but any thoughts on the Speidel fermenter?

 

[North_of_60]

Agreed. Spigots are way easier to deal with than siphons; setup, operation and cleaning.

Sometimes I have two beers fermenting at the same time so I use my bottling bucket for one of them. I put everything from my boil in and there is often so much trub that the spigot is covered and I can't use it any way. I still have to clean it though.

I always have PBW and Star San mixed and ready to use so cleaning is just siphoning some PBW pour, it back, then clean water down the drain then Star San and pour it back.

If I could justify a $200 SS Brewbucket I would gladly deal with the spigot. I'd have to make sure I didn't get as much trub out of my boil in the fermenter though.

 

[GPP33]

Sometimes I have two beers fermenting at the same time so I use my bottling bucket for one of them. I put everything from my boil in and there is often so much trub that the spigot is covered and I can't use it any way. I still have to clean it though.

I always have PBW and Star San mixed and ready to use so cleaning is just siphoning some PBW pour, it back, then clean water down the drain then Star San and pour it back.

If I could justify a $200 SS Brewbucket I would gladly deal with the spigot. I'd have to make sure I didn't get as much trub out of my boil in the fermenter though.

If the trub gets too deep they do become useless. I have an IPA in primary now that I'm really hoping compacts down a bit more or I'm going to have some trouble. I have faith my beer will behave though.