Choosing the Right Fermenting Bucket for Your Homebrew
When you’re starting your homebrewing journey, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is what kind of fermenting bucket to use. There are a few different options available, each with its own pros and cons. In this article, we’ll take a look at the most popular fermenting bucket choices and help you decide which one is right for you.
Fermenter Choices
Bucket (Plastic or Stainless)
Most homebrewers begin with food-grade plastic buckets when they start out in the hobby. Plastic buckets are inexpensive, easy to clean, and durable. They come in a variety of sizes, so you can find one that’s perfect for your batch size. However, plastic buckets can be prone to scratches and dents, which can harbor bacteria. They also can’t be used for hot liquids, as they may warp or melt.
Stainless steel buckets are a more durable option, and they won’t scratch or dent as easily as plastic buckets. They’re also resistant to heat, so you can use them to ferment warm beers. However, stainless steel buckets are more expensive than plastic buckets, and they can be heavier and more difficult to handle.
Carboy (Glass or Plastic)
Carboys are another popular option for fermenting beer. Glass carboys are beautiful and elegant, but they’re also fragile and can break easily. Plastic carboys are more durable, but they can scratch and harbor bacteria. Both glass and plastic carboys are typically larger than buckets, so they’re a good option for brewing larger batches of beer.
Conical (Plastic or Stainless)
Conical fermenters are becoming increasingly popular among homebrewers. Conical fermenters have a sloped bottom, which allows the yeast to settle at the bottom of the fermenter after fermentation is complete. This makes it easier to collect the yeast for reuse or to bottle the beer without disturbing the sediment. Conical fermenters are available in both plastic and stainless steel, and they come in a variety of sizes.
Corny Kegs (Stainless)
Corny kegs are a great option for fermenting and serving beer. They’re made of stainless steel, so they’re durable and easy to clean. They also have a built-in pressure relief valve, which makes it easy to carbonate your beer. However, corny kegs are more expensive than other fermenting options, and they require additional equipment, such as a CO2 tank and regulator.
Choosing the Right Fermenting Bucket for You
The best fermenting bucket for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re just starting out, a plastic bucket is a great option. They’re inexpensive and easy to use, and they’ll get you started on your homebrewing journey. If you’re looking for a more durable option, a stainless steel bucket or a conical fermenter is a good choice. And if you’re looking for a fermenter that can also serve as a serving vessel, a corny keg is a great option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size fermenting bucket do I need?
The size of the fermenting bucket you need will depend on the size of your batch. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need a fermenter that’s about 1.5 times the size of your batch. For example, if you’re brewing a 5-gallon batch of beer, you’ll need a 7.5-gallon fermenter.
How do I clean my fermenting bucket?
It’s important to clean your fermenting bucket thoroughly after each use. This will help to prevent bacteria from contaminating your beer. To clean your fermenting bucket, you can use a mixture of hot water and bleach. Be sure to rinse the bucket thoroughly after cleaning.
Can I use a plastic bucket for hot liquids?
No, you should not use a plastic bucket for hot liquids. Plastic buckets can warp or melt when exposed to high temperatures.
Can I use a glass carboy for hot liquids?
Yes, you can use a glass carboy for hot liquids. However, it’s important to heat the carboy gradually to avoid cracking.
Can I use a corny keg for fermentation?
Yes, you can use a corny keg for fermentation. However, you’ll need to add a blow-off tube to the keg to allow the CO2 to escape during fermentation.
Can I use a conical fermenter for fermentation?
Yes, you can use a conical fermenter for fermentation. Conical fermenters are a great option for fermenting beer because they allow the yeast to settle at the bottom of the fermenter after fermentation is complete.
Can I use a bucket for secondary fermentation?
Yes, you can use a bucket for secondary fermentation. However, it’s important to make sure that the bucket is airtight to prevent oxygen from getting into the beer.
Can I use a carboy for secondary fermentation?
Yes, you can use a carboy for secondary fermentation. Carboys are a good option for secondary fermentation because they’re airtight.
Can I use a corny keg for secondary fermentation?
Yes, you can use a corny keg for secondary fermentation. However, you’ll need to add a blow-off tube to the keg to allow the CO2 to escape during fermentation.
Can I use a conical fermenter for secondary fermentation?
Yes, you can use a conical fermenter for secondary fermentation. Conical fermenters are a great option for secondary fermentation because they allow the yeast to settle at the bottom of the fermenter after fermentation is complete.
Can I use a bucket for aging beer?
Yes, you can use a bucket for aging beer. However, it’s important to make sure that the bucket is airtight to prevent oxygen from getting into the beer.
Can I use a carboy for aging beer?
Yes, you can use a carboy for aging beer. Carboys are a good option for aging beer because they’re airtight.
Can I use a corny keg for aging beer?
Yes, you can use a corny keg for aging beer. However, it’s important to make sure that the keg is pressurized to prevent oxygen from getting into the beer.
Can I use a conical fermenter for aging beer?
Yes, you can use a conical fermenter for aging beer. Conical fermenters are a great option for aging beer because they allow the yeast to settle at the bottom of the fermenter after fermentation is complete.
Choosing the right fermenting bucket is an important decision for any homebrewer. There are a variety of options available, each with its own pros and cons. By considering your individual needs and preferences, you can choose the best fermenting bucket for your homebrewing journey.
In summary, while both carboys and fermentation buckets are effective for brewing beer, carboys are more suited for secondary fermentation and aging while buckets are generally better for primary fermentation. A bucket might be your best option if you expect to need to enter the fermenter during the fermentation process (for example, to stir a mead or add dry hops). Use a carboy to reduce headspace if you intend to age a beer after primary fermentation for an extended period of time. As you can see, there are a few reasonable arguments in favor of using a fermentation bucket as opposed to a carboy. Which is your favorite: a carboy or a fermentation bucket? David Ackley is a writer, brewer, and consultant for craft beer marketing. He is the creator of the Local Beer Blog and has a General Certificate in Brewing from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling.
If you’ve ever shopped around for a new fermenter, you’ve probably asked yourself this question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of fermentation buckets vs. carboys? As a beginning homebrewer, it may be hard to find a definitive answer to the question. Ask other brewers, and you’ll probably get a range of opinions. It seems that everyone has their preference. But there’s a reason that homebrew equipment kits include a bucket fermenter for primary fermentation and a carboy for secondary fermentation. It all comes down to a few pros and cons:
For a variety of reasons, I switched to using PET carboys as my preferred fermenters. Although the outcomes of this xBmt won’t make me abandon them, they did give me more confidence when it comes to using HDPE vessels for fermentation. I keep a degree of worry about the potential for oxygen ingress when utilizing buckets for this purpose, as I occasionally age beer in the primary fermenter, and I think that’s a good variable to investigate further.
As the water warmed up, I measured and ground two identical batches of grain.
Every homebrewer must start somewhere, and for the majority of them, that means purchasing a beginner’s kit that includes a food-grade plastic fermentation bucket along with a small kettle, spoon, hydrometer, and hop bags. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic buckets are inexpensive, practical, and simple to clean. They continue to be the fermenter of choice for some people, especially those who like the more straightforward aspects of brewing.
I placed the filled fermenters next to each other in my chamber and let them finish chilling to my desired fermentation temperature of 66°F/19°C for a few hours before returning to pitch a single pouch of Imperial Yeast A07 Flagship into each.
I began my brew day by filling individual BrewZilla units with the same volume of RO water, adjusting each to the mineral profile I wanted, and then turning on the controller to heat it up.