Why use carboys at all?

[climateboy]

So, here's my question. As fermenting buckets are cheaper and easier to clean than even the Better Bottle carboys, why use carboys? The only advantage I can see is visual inspection, but how many times do you NEED to look? It's fun, I grant you, but not strictly necessary the majority of the time.

And, is there any disadvantage to using a bucket for a secondary?


Thanks,

CB

 

[Revvy]

like so many other aspects of the hobby, it's a matter of choice what you use...just as it is a preference to use ANY secondary at all rather than a long primary...or pretty much any aspect of the hobby...It's just what works for you.

 

[Saccharomyces]

I prefer the BBs since I can watch but I use both. I usually don't secondary unless I have a good reason (like oaking).

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

Although buckets are cheaper up front and can last a long time if you are very careful when cleaning. My glass carboys are near impossible to scratch, and can be cleaned with the most aggressive chemicals known to man. I fear using plastic because I don't want to scratch it. Glass is just such a battle tested fermenting vessel that I have a hard time moving on. I know breakage is an issue with glass, but I am very careful and have never had a problem.

 

[drez77]

And, is there any disadvantage to using a bucket for a secondary?

For me, if I am doing a long secondary, I would worry about the oxygen permeability of the bucket. Now if you are doing something like a Flanders Red where the oxygen will help sour the beer it would be perfect, but for a long secondary on a regular beer I will rely on carboys or kegs. Just my way of doing things.

Mike

 

[Jilaman]

I use a mix of buckets, glass carboys and Better Bottles. If it is a long aging in a secondary, I use glass and only glass. I worry too much about the buckets and BB of long term aging. Regardless of how safe it is, that is a preference.

As for a primary fermentor, it is much cheaper to keep around 5 buckets than 5 better bottles or 5 glass carboys.

 

[Sheep_Dog]

Using as a primary bucket do you usually just run the beer right out of the spigot into the secondary or bottling bucket or do you siphon out the top? I guess my concern is if drawing the beer out of the spigot and into the secondary won't using the spigot carry more of the sediment out? Thanks!

 

[homebrewer_99]

I use mine as a clearing tank.

I like to see through my brew. I can't do that with a plastic bucket.

 

[defenestrate]

Using as a primary bucket do you usually just run the beer right out of the spigot into the secondary or bottling bucket or do you siphon out the top? I guess my concern is if drawing the beer out of the spigot and into the secondary won't using the spigot carry more of the sediment out? Thanks!

siphon out the top

 

[TeleTwanger]

Better bottles are about 22$ so a bucket isn't cheaper. Also cleaning 1 thing as opposed to a bucket, a lid, and the spigot which has 3 peices isn't easier IMO. Finally being able to see what's going on for me is a huge advantage to judge where the yeast are at. Its all personal so whatever you decide works best for you is truly 'best'.

 

[ohiobrewtus]

As a couple of others have stated, my primary concern with plastic is cleaning. I have some plastic primaries, but I prefer to use glass just because I know that it can't be scratched like plastic can.

 

[coolbeerluke]

I've got glass carboys only because when I started homebrew it was recommended by my LHBS (if i were in the business for money, I would too). They are okay, and good for extended fermentation. But, its a mother to take hydrometer readings, and if you do use plastic buckets, you can stick a spigot on it and make life so much easier by simply attaching a line from the primary to either the bottling bucket or the secondary, if thats what you do. Siphoning is fine, but takes more concentration and more attention. Sure its cool to look at the wort while its fermenting, but the cost-effectiveness and ease of plastic buckets is 1+ over glass. Just don't scratch the plastic.
Someone out there should invent a glass bucket, that has a guaranteed airtight lid, in which you can attach a spigot onto... I will buy your product (reasonably priced of course)

 

[homebrewer_99]

Someone out there should invent a glass bucket, that has a guaranteed airtight lid, in which you can attach a spigot onto... I will buy your product (reasonably priced of course)

Funny you should mention that.

I took 2 carboys to a glass cutting place last year wanting them to cut the tops off (above the shoulder) leaving a hole large enough to put fruit in/take fruit out.

They told me it would break. I told them that's what I thought, but that's why I brought 2 with me. They refused.

 

[abracadabra]

I wouldn't use either a glass carboy or a bucket for a secondary when you can get a Stainless Steel corny keg for about the same money as a carboy! Don't know what plastic bucket go for these days as there are far too many places to get them free.

Cornies are light weight, & rugged, no need to worry about light. No down side I can think of other than the fact that you can't watch the beer !

 

[Coastarine]

I've seen a bucket take on an odor that wouldn't go away even with long term oxyclean. Better bottles are just a better plastic. Granted I do preventative maintinence in the form of an oxyclean soak now every time I clean it, but I have had no problems with stains or odors clinging to better bottles.

 

[climateboy]

I wouldn't use either a glass carboy or a bucket for a secondary when you can get a Stainless Steel corny keg for about the same money as a carboy! Don't know what plastic bucket go for these days as there are far too many places to get them free.

Cornies are light weight, & rugged, no need to worry about light. No down side I can think of other than the fact that you can't watch the beer !

But if, like me, you're not set up for CO2...

 

[DeathBrewer]

oxygen permeation and headspace. you don't want too much headspace in, say, a belgian triple you are going to age for six months in the secondary.

 

[Bigsnake]

Although buckets are cheaper up front and can last a long time if you are very careful when cleaning. My glass carboys are near impossible to scratch, and can be cleaned with the most aggressive chemicals known to man. I fear using plastic because I don't want to scratch it. Glass is just such a battle tested fermenting vessel that I have a hard time moving on. I know breakage is an issue with glass, but I am very careful and have never had a problem.

I'm the same way and just got a BB to try out. Will be putting it into action for the first time this weekend. I'm already not impressed as it showed up in the mail dented in. I was able to pop it out but it still has some marks where it was creased. I'll be interested to see how well the BB cleans out and if it keeps odor in it like buckets do.

And the neck opening is huge so my beloved 1" blow-out tube that fits so nicely in my carboy doesn't fit.

I like glass and like you, I'm extremely careful with the ones I have. I'm of the belief that the stuff that scares you is rarely the stuff that injures you and I'm scared of breaking a carboy and having to go to a hospital visit. I've heard some nasty tales of injury from glass though.

 

[beesy]

oxygen perm can be an issue with long term storage in plastic. also the plastic is more susceptible to scratches that can harbor nasties as well as holding aromas. I think the primary bucket I did my pumpkin ale in may not be used again except for pumpkin or spiced beers as there was a strong odor in it ever after sitting full of oxyclean for a day or two.

 

[defenestrate]

maybe hold out and save for a conical? that might be the route im going...

 

[madewithchicken]

I only own one carboy but it always has something in it for longer term secondaries. But I too have at least one bucket that will now only be used for cinnamon ciders. I just can not get the small out. I had bleach water sit in it over night and now it smells like very clean cinnamon.

But I am switching over right now. I just got 6 extra corny kegs, which brings my total to 8. I am going to start doing my secondary in those.

When you use a corny as a secondary do you just burp it everyday or so? Or do you attach a fermentation lock to the "IN/GAS" line?

About conicals, I am afraid to get one that is made of plastic because of my previously stated problem with the cinnamon odors. So I am holding out until tax refund time to buy a small metal conical.

 

[homebrewer_99]

What's the number on the bottom of the BBs?

Recent news indicates #7 is dangerous (PBA, BPA, whatever...) and become banned in Canada even though our FDA says they're safe.

 

[madewithchicken]

But if, like me, you're not set up for CO2...

I do not see why not having CO2 would prevent you from using the cornys as a fermentor. You can syphon out of one.

Although it might be best.

 

[conpewter]

BBs are 1 I think not 7.

As for using a corny as secondary, I just wouldn't worry about it. At that point you should have very little Co2 production, and whatever you do get will just pressurize your corny a bit more. I doubt you will fully carbonate a corny while it sits in secondary, much less reach the 135 PSI needed to make the relief valve open. And if you do... that's why there is a relief valve.

 

[homebrewer_99]

BBs are 1 I think not 7...

OK, thanks.

 

[abracadabra]

But if, like me, you're not set up for CO2...

You can easily use a cornie keg as a secondary w/o CO2.

Think of a cornie as a secondary that also has the additional benefit of being able to hold pressure (it's not a secondary that needs to be pressured).

Simply put the lid off and siphon the beer off as you would any other secondary.

And you also have the additional benefit of being able to keg by simply adding a few more accessories.

 

[kappclark]

If you use the corny as a secondaty, wouldn't you just pressurize after it is fully conditioned ? The first glass or so might have some yeast sediment etc, but that's ok - right ..

Is there any reason you wld want to rack from a corny to another corny ?

 

[abracadabra]

If you use the corny as a secondaty, wouldn't you just pressurize after it is fully conditioned ? The first glass or so might have some yeast sediment etc, but that's ok - right ..

Is there any reason you wld want to rack from a corny to another corny ?

Yes you could.

Some people bend the dip tube upward slightly to avoid some or all of the sediment. Other's cut an inch or so off the dip tube. I personally like bending the tube as that is reversible, where cutting it is not.

The only time that I rack to a second cornie is if I plan to take it on a road trip (party, wedding reception, picnic, ect)
because I don't want the sediment to be resuspended and cloud up the beer with nasty tasting yeast.

 

[Brew-boy]

I personally prefer Glass just like my beer, I would not want to drink beer out of a plastic bottle or pour it in to a plastic glass to drink. Give me a heavy slippery dangerous to my health if I drop it glass carboy any day of the week...lol This really is a Chevy/Ford thing use what you prefer and like.