Pails vs Carboys

[ImBatman]

I'm about to make my purchases and start brewing. I've done some research and there seems to be some debate as to which is better - carboy vs pail style fermenter.

I plan to buy 3 - 1 fermenter, 1 rack, and one bulk prime container.

Can everyone give me the benefits and detractions of each type so I can make an informed choice on my purchases? I'd like information please, not purely opinion.

Since KMart has a 15% storewide sale this weekend, I was going to buy a Coopers Kit, but it comes with a carboy style, but I want to buy the best for the long run and want to be informed.

[Beerpig]

Get the carboy that comes with the kit, then buy a couple of food grade pails with taps from Bunnings. That would be the cheapest solution

Both types have their good & bad points, but at the end of the day do the same job

Cheers

[lethaldog]

Ive used both and i really prefer the carboys to pails as they have a screw on lid and i think they seal alot better, also if the seal does go ( never happened to me ) then u can just replace the seal and off u go, but with the pails i found after a while the lids get out of shape and they dont seal properly and im pretty sure u cant fix this.

Also why do you need three if your only putting in 1 brew 2 would be plenty for what you need as once you have racked, just use the fermenter u racked from for bulk priming ( obviously clean and sterile )

Hope this has helped!!

[ImBatman]

I was going to try a 3 bucket system I saw on the net:

1. 1st Ferment - the really frothy vigorous stage
2. Syphon to a racking bucket after this settles down to the slower fermenting.
3. Start new 1st ferment after cleaning and sterilising fermentation equipment
3. At bottling stage, bulk prime to the third container then bottle.

Apparently the three stage process makes the difference of improving the taste by removing some of the "yeasty" taste of homebrew.

I was just going to give it a try.

[lethaldog]

I was going to try a 3 bucket system I saw on the net:

1. 1st Ferment - the really frothy vigorous stage
2. Syphon to a racking bucket after this settles down to the slower fermenting.
3. Start new 1st ferment after cleaning and sterilising fermentation equipment
3. At bottling stage, bulk prime to the third container then bottle.

Apparently the three stage process makes the difference of improving the taste by removing some of the "yeasty" taste of homebrew.

I was just going to give it a try.

This is true but you dont need three fermenters for the system as once you rack your brew your first fermenter is now empty and will be for at least a week so just clean and steralize and use this fermenter to bulk prime. i run four fermenters and always have just one empty for racking and priming.

[rwh]

You run four fermenters!? How much do you drink?

[lethaldog]

You run four fermenters!? How much do you drink?

A fair bit i suppose but i mainly like to have a good variety also only 3 are usually full like i said i keep 1 empty for racking etc.

you can never have to much beer!!!

[lethaldog]

I was going to try a 3 bucket system I saw on the net:

1. 1st Ferment - the really frothy vigorous stage
2. Syphon to a racking bucket after this settles down to the slower fermenting.
3. Start new 1st ferment after cleaning and sterilising fermentation equipment
3. At bottling stage, bulk prime to the third container then bottle.

Apparently the three stage process makes the difference of improving the taste by removing some of the "yeasty" taste of homebrew.

I was just going to give it a try.

Soz batman i miss read your post and after re reading im gathering that you want to keep the fermenter running full time so yes you would need a third

[ernie]

I've got the three-vessel system going;

My primary is a ridgey-didge coopers fermenter.

My secondary is a bunnings bucket ($15) with a screw-top lid (seal provided) and a bung-hole for a tap (which I had to buy separate). Also had to drill a hole in the top and shove a grommet and airlock in.

My bottling-bucket is one of those cheapo rectangular water carrier type things from Bunnings. Given that the brew doesn't spend any time in this you really don't need anything special other than it having a tap and being sterilise-able.

I find it works well. Each weekend I rack a brew from secondary to the bottling bucket, then bottle. Then I rack from the primary to the secondary (wash and sterilise in between). Then I wash and sterilise the primary and lay down another brew.

Gives me heaps of "ME" time down the shed with the radio and a few longies to keep the fluids up.

[scblack]

If you've got the choice, go for the Pail style.

They have straight sides, without nooks and crannies, which mean less places for infections to possibly get a hold, and also easier to clean for the same reason.

[MEC]

I have one of each and I think the bucket is better.

I've been using the bucket for a year (25 brews) and no problems. At one stage the lid was getting hard to put on but if you soften it under hot water and leave it attached to the bucket when not in use it retains its shape.

The carboy was bought as and extra container so I could bulk prime and secondary ferment but I can't seem to get a good seal with it. I've sanded down the seam and greased the o-ring but no bubbles through the airlock. Although I think the seal is good enough ( ie gas getting out somewhere and baddies not getting in) I like to see bubbles through the airlock when I'm fermenting. So the carboy only gets used for bulk priming and secondary.

Also the carboy is harder to clean because of the indented handles.

[velophile]

You run four fermenters!? How much do you drink?

Should I admit to having 5 fermenters & a "Lagering Cube"? Opps

2 Pail types (25l) I bought off Ebay for less than $9.

1 tall narrow 30l screw top that came with my original kit.

1 30l Wander? style & another tall narrow 30l screw top, both of which belong to a friend who hadn't been using them & I "stored" them for him when he went travelling.

I looked for the older pail type as they are easier to clean. They don't seal as well but are great for primary's when heaps of gas is produced. Also they don't have much head space so you could get a 'foam over' during vigorous fermentation.

The tall 30's have heaps of head space & seal really well. One I use tends to get a stuck lid though. That's the advantage of the Wander brand, good handles on the lid. The down side is the lid is not see through.

Each type has it's advantages. The lid problem can be solved by using Glad Wrap instead. I like to use a well sealed lid for secondary.

[scblack]

You run four fermenters!? How much do you drink?

Should I admit to having 5 fermenters & a "Lagering Cube"? Opps

I'm up there - I have got 6 fermenters.

Only three I would ever use though - the other three I was given from a mate who had stopped two years earlier, and I'm sure there is stuff growing in them. Yuk.

[shane_vor]

I have two glass fermenters which I cannot fault. Sealing is not a problem and you can actually watch the ferment take place. Plus they look good on the bar and this keeps the missus happy! Cleaning is done by dissolving a dishwashing machine tablet in them and fillng. Rinse after soaking overnight. I'd reccomend the glass for sure!

For secondary I have 2 of those bunnings thingos with taps, since they go into the shed after racking they don't have to look good.

I have another screw top for both primary and racking in the shed.

Then I have the bulk priming fermenter which has never sealed thus the priming use only.

That makes 6 technically and I still can't manage to fill all the empty bottles in the shed!!!!!!

[lethaldog]

You run four fermenters!? How much do you drink?

Should I admit to having 5 fermenters & a "Lagering Cube"? Opps

More the merrier i think so good on you vel Im off to the store tomorrow to add another to my collection.

[ACTbrewer]

I have 3 fermenters and a cube. I need more....Never mattered before I lagered or racked. I think my next purchase will be a 60L fermenter for those 'swill' bitters that I make every second brew. Specially for around chrissie time.

[Tipsy]

I had 4 fermenters, 2 pails & 2 Coopers.
I was always using the pails because the lids seal well and they are the easiest to clean. I chucked the Coopers ones on the hard rubbish cos I was sick of them in my way.
The only downside I can see with the pails is they are only 25lt. I would like to purchase a 30lt one for a primary.

Anyone know where I can find such an animal?

[gregb]

...The only downside I can see with the pails is they are only 25lt. I would like to purchase a 30lt one for a primary.

Anyone know where I can find such an animal?

I got one from my local HBS (Asquith Homebrewing) but it was a special order.

I prefer pails for the ease of cleaning etc.

Cheers,
Greg

[lethaldog]

I love the screw top lid fermenters eg: coopers, i have always soaked any fermenter to the rim with fairly hot water and have never had any trouble cleaning either type ( pail or screw top ) but each to their own, if it works for you then go with it!!

[scblack]

I have two glass fermenters which I cannot fault.

What do the glass ones cost?