Plastic or glass?

[arcto]

Just wondering what peoples opinions are on plastic and glass fermentation drums?
Ive got 2 25 liter plastics myself. I might buy a glass one soon so i can see whats going on inside.
I didnt realise i had nearly 3 liters of waste at the bottom of my primary tank until i siphoned it into a secondary and saw all the yuck at the end.

What are the pro's con's of these drums?

 

[Dwain]

Do a search on fermenters, and you'll find a lot of info. I have used glass for years to secondary. Never thought too much about it. I had one full of water one time and when I lifted it off of the ground, the bottom stayed put. When I got on this board, I started reading threads about people breaking them and getting very serious injuries. I started fermenting in 7 1/2 gal. sankes. I still have to use bottled water so I do still use the glass carboys for transporting water. However, I fixing to bite the bullet this week and buy some plastic ones for that as well. Then, I'll retire my glass carboys. Oh, I primary now in 7.5 gal Sankes as well. Before that, I used a 6.5 gal plastic bucket to primary. - Dwain

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

Everyones opinions will differ on this subject.

Pros of glass:
You can see what's happening
Easier to clean
Completely airtight

Pros of plastic:
Cheaper
Easier to transfer
Additions in secondary are extremely easy.

Cons of glass:
Breakable
Price

Cons of plastic:
Not airtight
Retains some flavor and smell from previous batches
Scratches easily causing bacteria to form in them.

I'm sure someone can add to this list. I prefer to use plastic just because of the price. If I'm using a secondary (rarely) I use my glass. I like plastic because they also store better. I don't have a whole lot of room in my apartment, so being able to stack buckets when they aren't in use is great. Also, because of the price I can buy new ones every 8-10 batches. It's also nice not having to worry about breaking them. Glass is a whole lot heavier and akward to carry.

 

[TXCrash]

Ohmygawd you'll like totally kill yourself if you even think about putting your beer in glass. This one guy had this uncle who totally messed up his arm playing basketball with a full glass carboy. There's a reason that store bought beer doesn't come in glass. Go better bottles!
Err wait...

Oh and if your beer ever comes near plastic you'll grow female parts and your beer will instantly get oxidized.

And don't even THINK of fermenting in SS kegs. BMC really need those kegs back so that they can provide more beer to nubile coeds at a cheap price.

Seriously man, do a search. This comes up constantly. I primarily use glass, have started to use stainless, and have a plastic bucket for wine.

 

[jackson_d]

+1 Better Bottle. Its 2009. Get with it. Better Bottle, plastic, light, easy to clean, hard to break...... Better bottle, just do it... Plastic

 

[Clayton]

i am all glass and always have been its just a better.
if plactic is so great why dont you buy your beer packaged that way?
one of the carboys i got from a famley member and it was 30+ years old
try leaving your grandkids a better bottle the thing is just a 6 gal pop bottle

 

[VTBrewer]

Ahhh....the raging plastic vs glass debate. Look at the bottom of this thread and you'll see about 10 others. It's kind of funny to me. I use plastic buckets, glass, and better bottles because I just so happen to have them. I can assure you that when tasting any of my brews you will not come up with a favorable or unfavorable comment of "tastes like you used a better bottle" or "tastes like you used a glass carboy".

IMHO it's really a matter of preference and my preference is to grab what ever is empty and fill it up.

 

[homebeerbrewer]

I use glass, but it is a dangerous material to work with. (See this thread.) I will continue to use glass until I can afford a stainless steal conical, but in the meantime, I'll be doing this.

As for the plastic vs carboy debate, VTBrewer said it best:

IMHO it's really a matter of preference and my preference is to grab what ever is empty and fill it up.

 

[TXCrash]

There's a reason that store bought beer doesn't come in glass. Go better bottles!
Err wait...

+1 Better Bottle. Its 2009. Get with it. Better Bottle, plastic, light, easy to clean, hard to break...... Better bottle, just do it... Plastic

Hate to tell ya man but the only specific mention of better bottle was me. I was making fun of the better bottle army. Ya'll are the most rabid of the bunch on the debate. Wonder why....

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

i am all glass and always have been its just a better.
if plactic is so great why dont you buy your beer packaged that way?
one of the carboys i got from a famley member and it was 30+ years old
try leaving your grandkids a better bottle the thing is just a 6 gal pop bottle

Around my town, all the bars serve beer either on tap or in plastic so it doesn't break. The local liquor stores all sell plasic beer bottles too. You can really only get the cheapies like bud and miller products in it, but still.