small batch fermenter

[mclane2003]

Hey,

So I have been thinking about doing more experimenting but I don't want to risk the money and time on 5 gallon batches. So I think I want to do several 1 gallon batches. I like glass carboys but I don't want to spend $30 per 3 gallon carboy.

I have thought about just getting some home depot buckets and lids but I want to be able to see what is going on with the brew.

Any suggestions for something I could use as a fermenter for a 1 gallon batch without the need for a blow off tube?

Thank you

 

[P-Lay]

Would these work?

http://www.specialtybottle.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=27

edit: sorry, you said "without the need for a blow off tube" these are 1 gallon jugs.

edit edit: woo hoo, 100 posts!

 

[TipsyDragon]

bucket with a sheet of Plexiglas on top.

 

[bigzippo]

Carlo Rossi wine jugs is what I use. And the wine really isn't that bad. They are a little over one gallon. I use airlocks, is that what you're concerned with with the blow off question?

 

[Photopilot]

My LHBS has 1 gal glass carboys for $3. Whole Foods 365 apple cider comes in a glass jar for $5 or so. Go buy 3 of them or more. and make yourself some Apfelwein in a 5 gallon fermenter. You can look at it as a free batch of AW or free fermenters.

I just got a 3 gallon jug of water for $6 that came in a #1 plastic jug. Going to do some 2.5 gallon small batches of apple cider experiments in them.

Use some anti-foaming drops and you can put almost capacity in a carboy to ferment without concern.

 

[HarkinBanks]

HD has the white 2.75 gallon HDPE-2 buckets. I use them for 1-2 gallon small batches and if you use Fermcap, you won't need a blowoff. I drill a hole in the top for an airlock and the top seals well. I also use the PET-1 "stackable" water jugs with a spigot from Wal-mart and have rigged up a bottling tube to them so I can go right from the fermenter into bottles with carb tabs. Small batches lose a lot if you transfer them so I only do single stage.