What's better, big-mouthed or tight-lipped?

[Cherry Yidaki]

Now, we're not talking women here, sorry; I think fate, fancy and phase-of-the-moon finesse what a feller gets in that department.

No, I'm talking fermenters here. I've got a couple 6-gallon buckets with lids vented for airlocks, and several 5-gallon, plastic "Better Bottles." Also a few little 1-gallon jugs for making test batches and just screwing around.

I really like the Better Bottles, which look like the old, glass carboys I once used, but aren't so heavy or fragile. They're transparent and have such elegant curves. I really enjoy watching that yeast work and wiggle and bubble and swoop things around in there during a ferment. It's like esoteric, kinetic art. Better than a fish tank.

However, I've noticed that my curvaceous, salacious little darlings are more apt to "stall" than the buckets. Those stodgy, thick, off-white, plastic buckets with their ubiquitous indigo lids are the blue kerchiefed peasant women, as stolid and dependable for an uneventful, successful, ferment as they are homely and dull.

Just wondering if anyone has noted - and better have an explanation for - this fermenter phenomenon? What's your favorite? Who's your baby and why?

PS: As for my observations, please mote that it shouldn't be light inhibiting (or whatever) the jug yeasts as I typically wrap those dancing harem girls in thick burkhas when not having them entertain me with their yeasty undulations.

[Icefever]

Can't say I've noticed anything differ between bucket or barrel.. I've got 6 x 25 ltr buckets, 1 x 25ltr Better bottle, and a few weeks back got a good deal on these 2x 25 ltr barrels and another bucket. So I'm good now for brewing beer, making wine and running a wash.

[Cherry Yidaki]

Lucky dog! I like the looks of those double-fisters!

[Icefever]

They priced them up wrong in the shop...marked up at £9.50...should have been £14.50, but they let me have them at the lower price..(good will).

The 2 handles do make them easier to throw around I must admit.

[mikepiet]

Hi everyone,

Also interested in this as I am about to buy a 2nd fermenter. Current one is a barrel type, but all the shops here seem to have the bucket types. Was wondering if a larger surface exposure (as in bucket type) would make any difference in fermenting - speed, yield, possibility of contamination etc etc.

Any info appreciated, thanks in advance,

All the best,

Mike P

[Icefever]

Like I said..I've never noticed any difference in whatever I've used over the years. I must admit I find the barrels with the handles a lot easier to get on with...the ones I got cheap were from Wilko's.

[John51]

Check out Wilco if you have a local one. Mine carry both buckets and barrel fermenters in their homebrew section.

The 2 fisted barrels are tough and last a long time. The HBS like to give out those freebie mags, with advice like replace your fermenters on a regular basis to avoid infections. Ha! I'll replace after I get an infection, not before. My oldest barrel is 40 years old and still never an infected brew.

I don't make beer that often now but if I do, I use a barrel with no lid, just a shirt over the top to stop the flies. The handles are really useful.

[Myles]

Most of my fermenters are now 120 to 200 litre LDPE drums. Mostly screw top, but some are open because I cut the lid out of a tighthead drum. I have never really had an issue with any of them - except for moving them when they are full.

[Almanac]

All mine are 33lt buckets because I found they're the easiest to clean

I used to have 60lt fermenters but they're impossible to work with without some lifting equipment like a winch

AM

[RumJohn]

Plain old 90L food grade bins work just fine

[Easydrinker]

I think it may depend upon your age RJ,and physical fitness.
A lot of us on this forum seem to be age challenged,(for that read old farts),and lacking in strength.
Personally I can still lift a full 50 litre bucket,when the need arises,so don't mind,when the need arises.
I guess the clever ones engineer things to avoid heavy lifting,but possibly miss out on something;a sense of satisfaction,or maybe even a hiatus hernia...
Would the local Derby and Joan club really be more fun than the current brewing and illicit distilling in the shed?
No,I don't think so.
Just some late night ramblings.
Robert

[Easydrinker]

mikepiet ,Sorry,I spotted your post earlier and forgot to reply.
I will not state that this is the best way,only my way.
For distilling,I ferment in buckets,mine have lids which are loosley/sloppily fitted.
Not an air-lock in sight.
They are much easier to clean after a wash.
And we are usually talking short ferment times here,one out,one in.
I don't steralise,just rinse between washes.
HTH
Robert.

[YHB]

I only have one

So I can't compare

[Phantom]

I once used a 54ltr glass carboys type (with its plastic carrying basket).......

Ball bustingly heavy to move so that's when you look into the practicality of pumps or forklifts

mine are all 27ltr buckets.......

so no snags......

[Cherry Yidaki]

RumJohn: Talk about a sexy harem. I am in covet...

And who is this sly minx hanging out at knee level?


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