Plastic Carboy

[browning348]

I am able to get my hands on some 5 gallon office water jugs for free and for a couple bucks get the stopper for an airlock. Has anyone ever used these and if so are there any negatives? I'm assuming that they are food grade so I think they'll work great.

 

[Newsman]

Well, if they're anything like the ones we have they say for water only. They are NOT type 2 plastic, which is pretty much what you want.

 

[Mirilis]

you want Type 1 plastic.. that is PET and is the same thing as a better bottle... 2 is HPDE and thats what buckets are made of.. You want to avoid 7 Polycarbonate as that will leach chemicals into your beer from the acidity and the fermentation process.. theres a slew of threads about those materials if you want to poke around the older parts of the forum .

 

[browning348]

Thanks for the info. I'll have to check and see if it's type 1 or 2.

 

[Mirilis]

it will either be 1 or 7... I have never seen a HPDE water jug.. (because the plastic isnt clear)

The only negative with them is that they are 5 gallons.. it sucks to make a 5 gallon batch then put it in there and blow off a quart during fermentation

 

[Tinpanharry]

it will either be 1 or 7... I have never seen a HPDE water jug.. (because the plastic isnt clear)

The only negative with them is that they are 5 gallons.. it sucks to make a 5 gallon batch then put it in there and blow off a quart during fermentation

I use these for secondaries when adding flavorings, cold crashing or just when I want to free up a primary for the next brew. They are easy to clean with hot water or maybe a weak solution of OxyFree. Rinse real good with hot water then sanitize.

I don't use them for primaries but I will be checking them for plastic 1 or 7. It sounds like we want plastic type 1 or 2, not 7. Correct?

 

[1977Brewer]

If they're the re-usable blue ones, they are not type 7. Most likely 1, most likely made in the same plant as plastic better bottles.

I say use them, but only because I plan on doing the exact same thing.

As for blowoff loss...I'll adjust accordingly. I'll lose a little per batch, but I have $3.00 fermenters until I can get better ones. Maybe I'll use my blowoff to harvest yeast?

 

[Mirilis]

Here is a thread all about it. They type 7 are not BPA free.. thats the main difference.. but this threads like a hundred years old. Back then 95% of the water jugs were type 7.. now its about 50/50

 

[1977Brewer]

I just went to my warehouse to check the ones I'm going to use. All five that I set aside are type 1, but they're less than a year old. Your results may vary.

 

[Tinpanharry]

From the Primo web site. Primo sells various sizes at Walmarts, Lowes, etc.

What is my bottle made of?
-
http://store.primowater.com/SpecialPages/CustomerCare/Primo-Refill.aspx

Depending on the bottle type, it may be comprised of one of several resins:
1. PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride (Recycle Code 3)
2 gal refrigerator, 3 gal refrigerator, 3 gal round
2. HDPE - High Density Polyethylene (Recycle Code 2)
1 gal dairy, 5 gal D.P.
3. PP - Polypropylene (Recycle Code 5)
1 gal ultra-durable
4. PET - Polyethylene Terephthalate (Recycle Code 1)



Is it safe to store water in plastic bottles? Do contaminants from the plastic leach into the bottles?
Primo plastic bottles are considered a food contact surface. Therefore the bottles are regulated by the USFDA. All of our bottles are composed of food grade resins and meet all the USFDA requirements. Therefore, they are safe for water storage.

 

[DoctorCAD]

Alcohol is a solvent, so its more than just "can I store water in them".

For short term storage, should be OK, but long term aging, I'd spring for a Better Bottle or glass.

 

[1977Brewer]

Water is the most powerful solvent in the world.

To recap: Types 1 and 2 are fine. Better Bottles are #1 PET. Many water bottles are #1 PET. If you draw a line between the 2, many water bottles are the exact same plastic as Better Bottles.

 

[thekraken]

I just checked the 5 gallon bottles at our water cooler, they are all type 7.

 

[browning348]

So I checked the bottom of my jug.
It says for water storage only and has the number 7 with the triangle around it. I don't plan on aging for more than 3-6 months so if short term is ok I may try it.

 

[1977Brewer]

I wouldn't even use it for water.

 

[browning348]

I wouldn't even use it for water.

Yea I just did a quick search. Guess I'll just get it from the faucet from now on.

 

[DoctorCAD]

Water is the most powerful solvent in the world...QUOTE]

Given lots of time and/or pressure and/or flow.

Alcohol will dissolve lots of things as soon an they come in contact with it.

 

[Crysta Waston]

Currently, I am using 6.5 gallon water jug and I always recommend this to the others, because it is easy to clean. Actually, stopper airlock is perfect fit for my 6.5 gallon size; be gentle while using plastic airlocks As per mine experience drinking more water & exercise always help in staying healthy.

 

[kh54s10]

Currently, I am using 6.5 gallon water jug and I always recommend this to the others, because it is easy to clean. Actually, stopper airlock is perfect fit for my 6.5 gallon size; be gentle while using plastic airlocks As per mine experience drinking more water & exercise always help in staying healthy.

Where are you getting 6.5 gallon plastic water jugs? All I have seen is 3, 5 or 6 gallon sizes.

OP: If you are doing wine kits how is this going to work in a 5 gallon bottle. Most kits are for 6 gallons.

 

[hamiltonkiler]

Where are you getting 6.5 gallon plastic water jugs? All I have seen is 3, 5 or 6 gallon sizes.

OP: If you are doing wine kits how is this going to work in a 5 gallon bottle. Most kits are for 6 gallons.

You will rack off a half gallon of crap if you want clean wine.

 

[kh54s10]

You will rack off a half gallon of crap if you want clean wine.

Question remains: How do you fit a 6 gallon kit into a 5 gallon bottle??

 

[hamiltonkiler]

Question remains: How do you fit a 6 gallon kit into a 5 gallon bottle??

When you start make a 6 gal must in a 6 gal bucket or barrel or what ever you have. At first racking you will only rack over 5 gals of your juice into your 5gal carboy. If all you have is a 5gal fermintimg bucket then only start with 5gal even if it's a 6gal kit. It won't hurt.

 

[kh54s10]

When you start make a 6 gal must in a 6 gal bucket or barrel or what ever you have. At first racking you will only rack over 5 gals of your juice into your 5gal carboy. If all you have is a 5gal fermintimg bucket then only start with 5gal even if it's a 6gal kit. It won't hurt.

The OP didn't indicate only secondary use. And when I have made wines from kits that did not include grape skins or such I have lost less than 750ml. I top up to 6 gallons with a similar wine. And I can't imagine paying $135 to $175 for a decent wine kit then ditching 1/6 of it just to fit it in a vessel that is too small.

 

[hamiltonkiler]

The OP didn't indicate only secondary use. And when I have made wines from kits that did not include grape skins or such I have lost less than 750ml. I top up to 6 gallons with a similar wine. And I can't imagine paying $135 to $175 for a decent wine kit then ditching 1/6 of it just to fit it in a vessel that is too small.

I wouldn't say ditch anything and only use water too 5gallons.

 

[kh54s10]

I wouldn't say ditch anything and only use water too 5gallons.

So you end up with an extremely high ABV wine and 5 less bottles of wine??? Not the way I would do it. And when talking of plastic bottle fermenters it's only about $30 to get one the right size.

 

[hamiltonkiler]

Then pour a handle of Brandy in there and back sweeten too 2% slurry corn sugar Brandy.

So you end up with an extremely high ABV wine and 5 less bottles of wine??? Not the way I would do it. And when talking of plastic bottle fermenters it's only about $30 to get one the right size.

Your correct. A 6gallon vessel is correct