Water Bottle as Carboy

[Polaris]

I'm new to cider making. Found 400 pounds of fruit that I wanted to "save". I have one glass carboy, but also have several 5 gallon water bottles. Are these plastic water bottles ok to use?
Thanks for your input!

 

[USAFSooner]

General recommendation is if it has a recycling code of 1 on the bottom yes, if it's a 3,5,7 it's not recommended.

 

[Polaris]

Wonderful! Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[cheezydemon3]

That is PATENTLY WRONG.

5 is what you want. 1 and 7 are NOT OK.

 

[ArcaneXor]

#1 is PET. That's what Better Bottles are made out of.

 

[cheezydemon3]

Yeah, not sure why "1" stuck in my brain, my bad, but "5" is ideal, "7" (what it says on his water cooler bottle I'll wager) is NOT ok.

 

[IslandLizard]

Yeah, not sure why "1" stuck in my brain, my bad, but "5" is ideal, "7" (what it says on his water cooler bottle I'll wager) is NOT ok.

If it's OK for water, why not OK for beer? Is it pH/sugar/alcohol and leeching related?

 

[cheezydemon3]

If it's OK for water, why not OK for beer? Is it pH/sugar/alcohol and leeching related?

It really isn't OK for water, it is the cheapest, and if kept cold (which it isn't when on a truck or in a storage closet) it doesn't leach. If it is heated at all it leaches.

Brewing produces alcohol, a super solvent, and generally includes some heat, especially if you can't chill to 60F, or if fermentation gets very warm at all.

NOT FOR MY BEER.

suit yourself. I used those for a year before I finally decided to do research.

 

[ArcaneXor]

If it's OK for water, why not OK for beer? Is it pH/sugar/alcohol and leeching related?

Indeed. Beer is acidic and contains a solvent (ethanol). What is food grade for its intended purpose (neutral or alkaline water) does not mean it is ok to put anything in there.

 

[Crysta Waston]

According to research, the most toxic plastics are #7, #3 and #6, So you must avoid those, except #1, #2, #4 and #5. If you want to use, then choose #1,#2,#4 and #5, but only for limited use and completely avoid 1, 3, 6, and 7 (polycarbonate).

 

[RPh_Guy]

PET (#1) is best hands down and widely available. Why use anything else?