How to take the next step - expansion

[fenrrris]

First post, hi everyone! I'm a very green brewer but have a decent handle on some of the basics. I've brewed six batches now (all five gallon) and after the first four extract batches I built an MLT and have done two all-grain brews since.

I'm wondering how people generally start to expand their output. I only have one fermenter bucket at the moment. I want to experiment but it's hard to learn much when I can only brew every four weeks (I generally leave the beer in primary for about four weeks). What I'd like, ideally, is to have enough equipment to brew weekly, but that would be another three fermenters. Not sure if that makes the most sense considering decent buckets/carboys are pricey at my LHBS.

I have an unused five gallon carboy that I intended to use for secondary conditioning, but nixed that idea after reading up on modern techniques. So the alternative I was considering is buying a second bucket and second carboy and then just fermenting in the buckets and racking to the carboys as soon as fermentation is complete. That would save me the cost of a third vessel and give me roughly the one brew per-week capacity I'm aiming for. The downside is it'd be a lot more work with all the racking.

Do homebrewers just end up with a ton of fermentation vessels? Should I just bite the bullet and buy a bunch of buckets next time I have spare cash?

 

[Brewnoob1]

Buckets can be obtained from you local Home Depot or Lowes. Often times, you can find buckets at local grocery stores. Just clean and sanitize them and there you go...freebies. Just drill a hole in the top of the lid for an airlock (which is a only a couple bucks a piece) and you're off to the races. Even if you had to purchase a few buckets, you shouldn't be in it 2 or 3 buckets for more than 30 bucks or so.

 

[Aboo]

These are 15 bucks.
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/...g-equipment/6-5-gallon-fermenting-bucket.html

I believe that comes with a lid and grommet. I have 3 of those, and a single 6.5 gallon glass carboy. And a couple of 5 gal. ones I've picked up off Craigslist for cheap.

 

[Brewnoob1]

Only problem with buying online is you have to pay for shipping. So that 15 dollar bucket is now 20-25 depending on shipping costs. Rubber stoppers and an airlock can be bought at your LHBS for a few bucks. Drill a hole and buy buckets locally. There isn't anything special about fermenting buckets. They are simply food grade with the supplier's logo stamped on them typically.

 

[dmiller224]

Buckets can be obtained from you local Home Depot or Lowes. Often times, you can find buckets at local grocery stores. Just clean and sanitize them and there you go...freebies. Just drill a hole in the top of the lid for an airlock (which is a only a couple bucks a piece) and you're off to the races. Even if you had to purchase a few buckets, you shouldn't be in it 2 or 3 buckets for more than 30 bucks or so.

Do not use the buckets from Lowes or Home Depot! I repeat do not use the buckets from Lowes or Home Depot! They are not food grade buckets and therefore will leave hazardous materials into your beer (which you will then be drinking). Spend the money to get a food grade bucket that was actually meant to be fermented in or get a Nice carboy

 

[MotorcycleMatt]

Do not use the buckets from Lowes or Home Depot! I repeat do not use the buckets from Lowes or Home Depot! They are not food grade buckets and therefore will leave hazardous materials into your beer (which you will then be drinking). Spend the money to get a food grade bucket that was actually meant to be fermented in or get a Nice carboy

lowes sells a food grade bucket....

 

[olz431]

I did the same this as you, jumped into AG after 2 batches. I caught BOGO better bottles at NB and have since brewed a batch every weekend. like said above, check out the bakery at a grocery store, or a real bakery and ask for buckets, they usually have them and will hand them over for free.

 

[rklinck]

What do you mean that buckets are pricey at your LHBS? My LHBS sells the buckets with the airlock hole drilled for about $16 and airlocks are $2. I currently have 4 fermenting buckets and one 6 gallon carboy. That allows me to brew every weekend. If you are currently spending money on commercial beer for home consumption, buying an additional bucket or two is a pretty cheap investment. I have not needed to buy any beer at the store for months because my homebrew is sufficient supply.

 

[Brewnoob1]

Do not use the buckets from Lowes or Home Depot! I repeat do not use the buckets from Lowes or Home Depot! They are not food grade buckets and therefore will leave hazardous materials into your beer (which you will then be drinking). Spend the money to get a food grade bucket that was actually meant to be fermented in or get a Nice carboy

Hence why I said FOOD GRADE buckets in post 4. Both the Home Depot and Lowes by me sell food grade buckets which are perfectly fine.

 

[fenrrris]

What do you mean that buckets are pricey at your LHBS? My LHBS sells the buckets with the airlock hole drilled for about $16 and airlocks are $2. I currently have 4 fermenting buckets and one 6 gallon carboy. That allows me to brew every weekend. If you are currently spending money on commercial beer for home consumption, buying an additional bucket or two is a pretty cheap investment. I have not needed to buy any beer at the store for months because my homebrew is sufficient supply.

My LHBS charges $15 for the bucket and $15 for the lid for some unknown reason. Granted, the lids are really nice with a rubber airlock hole and a big rubber ring around the inside of the lid so it's completely airtight, but obviously $30 a bucket is a lot to drop if I want three.

 

[rklinck]

If I were you, I would look into buying these online when you buy the ingredients for your next batch. A number of places (e.g., Annapolis Home Brew) offer flat rate shipping for $7.95. If you buy a couple of buckets and airlocks and ingredients for a batch or two, the shipping cost per item is relatively cheap.

 

[dmiller224]

Hence why I said FOOD GRADE buckets in post 4. Both the Home Depot and Lowes by me sell food grade buckets which are perfectly fine.

I thought you were talking about the big orange 5 gallon home depot buckets that use for paint. Plus I have never seen Home Depot sell food grade buckets.

 

[dmiller224]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/any-new-news-home-depot-homer-buckets-385864/ this will explain everything

 

[darrenbrews]

My LHBS charges $15 for the bucket and $15 for the lid

You need to find another brew shop then because I can get a 6 gallon bucket with the spigot and airlock hole, grommet and lid for $24. I have two now and getting another next month. The wifey wants to do wine so I figure I'll get one every month until I have four or five of them. Can't have the wine holding up the brew.