How often should I replace my Buckets?

[slogger]

I have approx. 10 batches under my belt(literally b/c I'm drinking too much homebrew) and have been using two ale pales for my primaries since this June. I try to take exceptional care not to do anything that would create a scratch where bad stuff could hide but I know eventually they should be changed out. I'm just wondering when. Is there a rule of thumb most follow around here? And for that matter how about auto-siphons?

 

[petey_c]

I've been using my Coopers bucket since Aug. of '10 and my other primary since '95 or so. The older bucket wasn't in use from '95 to '10. Haven't had any problems that I could say were related to the older bucket. Keep 'em clean and don't abuse them and who knows how long they'll last.

 

[Bmorebrew]

As long as you don't scratch them up they should last quite a while. When I clean mine, I use the sprayer on the sink and for stubborn yeasties I have a washcloth I use. I won't use anything wood based (paper towel) or those scratchy scrubbies - even the plastic ones. Give a good soaking with warm water and oxyclean now and again and you'll be fine.

 

[beergolf]

If you clean them carefully, in theory they should last a long time.

I am very gentle when I clean mine and if there is a stubborn krausen ring, I just fill the bucket with Oxyclean and it loosens right up.

 

[flyfisherwes]

If you clean them carefully, in theory they should last a long time.

I am very gentle when I clean mine and if there is a stubborn krausen ring, I just fill the bucket with Oxyclean and it loosens right up.

+1 oxyclean soak

 

[corkybstewart]

I still occasionally use the bucket I started with in 1992, and my newest buckets have been in use since before 2000. Clean them gently-I use white cotton socks-and they'll last forever. I do replace the spigots on them every couple of years.

 

[gcdowd]

+ 2 on oxyclean. I'll often rub off as much krausen residue as I can gently with my fingers then soak in oxyclean and hot water for a few hours. This seems to do the trick. Just be careful not to scratch the plastic.

 

[dnslater]

I'm glad you asked this, as I am also about 10 batches in. I usually soak in Starsan solution for 20 minutes prior to using as I assume that would give the sanitizer time to soak into any surface imperfection/scratch.

 

[william_shakes_beer]

I have 2 buckets and a bottling bucket. When rack to the bottling bucket i rinse out the fermenter then mix up the starsan for the bottling session, and also use it for brewing the next day.

 

[PapaJerseyG]

Hi, I usually push the bucket lid down in the bucket when sanitizing, which bends the bucket. Will that leave undesired scratches? Also, I used PBW and soaked for 30 minutes after my last batch but the bucket is still stained and smells like hops. Should I just keep soaking, maybe with oxyclean this time? Thanks everyone.

 

[Just1pepsi]

My understanding is that as along as you don't mar the surface to the point where you cannot sanitize it properly and it becomes unusable functionally it might out live you. I suppose your mileage may vary though. If you're at all like I am, I'd probably determine a set number of batches I feel comfortable with (arbitrarily of course and without any good reason) to use as a baseline for my replacement schedule, and then use it as a cleaning/storage bucket after retirement.

Oh, and I believe any staining/hoppiness is there to stay as the plastic does absorb material.

 

[unionrdr]

That's why,when I wash out my FV's after use,I fill'em up with water,pour in 3-4TBSP of PBW,stir,& let soak for 5 days on average. It'll soak everything loose,& it settles to the bottom for the most part. What doesn't gets wiped off with a soft cloth. Rinse well & dry.
I then also clean the removed spigot with aquarium brushes & more PBW. Then reattach to the FV & store till brew day. It then gets the star-san treatment.
I've found that leaning the spigot/mounting area well gets rid of most residual odors.