using a milk jug for a starter

[NotALamer]

I was just wondering if there would be any serious issues using a plastic milk jug for my starter? I usually use a glass mason jar but I am pitching a Wyeast propagator with only 25 billion cells so I'm going to need to do a 4 quart starter and then another 2 quarts to get to the recommended 300 billion cells for my 1.088 sg wort.

Actually I'll probably do 3 qt and 3 qt so there is some head space.

 

[Buffman]

I wouldn't. I'm just not comfortable putting my beer (or its ingredients) in any plastic, especially plastic that once had dairy in it. Get a couple gallon glass jugs of wine, make a big batch of coq au vin, and use the empties. You'll have two new gallon-size carboys and eat like a king for days!

 

[Joker]

I don't see an issue with plastic however a used milk jug seems a bit scary to me.

 

[adfirmus]

Instead of a plastic jug that had milk in it, why not just use a gallon jug that had purified or spring water. Don't have to rinse it with soap or anything, and just rinse with some sanitizer. That seems like a better option to me to avoid any, Dairy-ness.

Unless you're making a Milk Stout...then I say go for it! haha

 

[mr_clean]

Dont do it!

 

[weirdboy]

WTF people what is the big deal? I have brewed test batches in used milk jugs. I just cleaned the hell out of it with oxyclean and then sanitized it like one normally does. It's already designed to store food, so if it's clean I don't see what the problem is.

 

[NotALamer]

I bought a jug of Carlo Rossi and used that instead, but I have a feeling the plastic jug would have worked fine too.