Plastic carboys

Post here whats not safe to do or use.

Moderator: Site Moderator

Post Reply
a-donovan
Novice
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2016 3:08 am

Plastic carboys

Post by a-donovan »

Hello,
Im considering using the plastic water cooler carboys to do my fermentation i. as i can get them for free and this would also save me on cleanup time (exchange used ones for new ones) I cant see any issues from this as it wouldn't be for anything but fermentation
jb-texshine
Master of Distillation
Posts: 3036
Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2015 12:03 am
Location: Texan living in Missouri

Re: Plastic carboys

Post by jb-texshine »

Even walk mart has five gallon buckets (hdpe) and lids for under 4$.
Remember not to blow yourself up,you only get to forget once!


Deo Vendice

Never eat Mexican food north or east of Dallas tx!
StillLearning1
Trainee
Posts: 918
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2014 6:43 pm
Location: South of the Mason Dixon line

Re: Plastic carboys

Post by StillLearning1 »

What type plastic are they made from? They are probably ok to use. ...
But what the heck do I know.....I am still learning.
User avatar
raketemensch
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 2001
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2014 2:10 pm
Location: Tralfamadore

Re: Plastic carboys

Post by raketemensch »

Check the bottom and look for a pp#. These indicate the type of plastic.
User avatar
Bushman
Admin
Posts: 17988
Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 5:29 am
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Plastic carboys

Post by Bushman »

If I remember right I believe Rad uses or has used them in the past. I have four 5 & 6 gallon carboys that I no longer use just because fermenting buckets are easier to clean and stir when starting your fermentation.
User avatar
pfshine
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 3106
Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2012 10:59 pm
Location: Vegas

Re: Plastic carboys

Post by pfshine »

I use them for the first racking or for transferring an already cleared ferment.
Life is a journey you take alone. Make sure you do what you what makes you happy
User avatar
ga flatwoods
Master of Distillation
Posts: 3192
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2013 6:40 pm
Location: SE GA Flatwoods

Re: Plastic carboys

Post by ga flatwoods »

I long stored some wine I made (remember some wine is best drank young) , say six months, and swear I could detect a harsh flavor of pvc glue! Never reused for storage since then.
Ga Flatwoods
The hardest item to add to a bottle of shine is patience!
I am still kicking.
Ga Flatwoods
a-donovan
Novice
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2016 3:08 am

Re: Plastic carboys

Post by a-donovan »

Thanks im going to setup a turbo batch and try them out
StillLearning1
Trainee
Posts: 918
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2014 6:43 pm
Location: South of the Mason Dixon line

Re: Plastic carboys

Post by StillLearning1 »

a-donovan wrote:Thanks im going to setup a turbo batch and try them out
Why not try something from the tried and true section? From what I understand you will likely enjoy one if those recipies alot more than a turbo batch. Maybe take a look at uncle Jesse's or maybe the corn flakes wash? That way if you have any problems we can help you out alot more.
But what the heck do I know.....I am still learning.
rad14701
retired
Posts: 20865
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:46 pm
Location: New York, USA

Re: Plastic carboys

Post by rad14701 »

Bushman wrote:If I remember right I believe Rad uses or has used them in the past. I have four 5 & 6 gallon carboys that I no longer use just because fermenting buckets are easier to clean and stir when starting your fermentation.
Yes, I used to use one of the larger water cooler bottle for fermenting... Unfortunately, it was older and stated to craze from pouring hot wash in it during preparation and I was fearful that it would suffer catastrophic failure, making a huge mess, so I stopped using it... Nothing wrong with the vessels, it was my practice that caused the crazing... Let wash cool to close to yeast pitching temps before filling and all should be fine...

I now use 6.5 gallon glass carboys and have several 12 gallon ones should I need them... Also have large food grade translucent plastic barrels should the need arise...
Secale
Novice
Posts: 89
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2016 7:29 pm
Location: Hiding Inside An Oak Barrel

Re: Plastic carboys

Post by Secale »

I wonder is anyone used 55 gallon drum liners like these before?

Just need to find a lid for them.

http://www.uline.ca/BL_6755/Molded-Poly-Drum-Liners" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
If it's on YouTube. It has to be real. LOLZ

http://homedistiller.org/intro
User avatar
raketemensch
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 2001
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2014 2:10 pm
Location: Tralfamadore

Plastic carboys

Post by raketemensch »

Secale wrote:I wonder is anyone used 55 gallon drum liners like these before?

Just need to find a lid for them.

http://www.uline.ca/BL_6755/Molded-Poly-Drum-Liners" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
At $250-300/pop, I'd rather have a fleet of brutes or pepper/olive barrels. Just search your local craigslist for "barrel."

I'd also want to know what comes after "poly"...
Secale
Novice
Posts: 89
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2016 7:29 pm
Location: Hiding Inside An Oak Barrel

Re: Plastic carboys

Post by Secale »

raketemensch wrote:
Secale wrote:I wonder is anyone used 55 gallon drum liners like these before?

Just need to find a lid for them.

http://www.uline.ca/BL_6755/Molded-Poly-Drum-Liners" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
At $250-300/pop, I'd rather have a fleet of brutes or pepper/olive barrels. Just search your local craigslist for "barrel."

I'd also want to know what comes after "poly"...
Actually the price is for 20 or 25 liners depending on the size.

It's under the quantity section.
If it's on YouTube. It has to be real. LOLZ

http://homedistiller.org/intro
User avatar
joeyfla
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 45
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2015 3:04 pm
Location: East Coast of Florida

Re: Plastic carboys

Post by joeyfla »

I found they're hard to keep clean and maybe not the best thing to pour in a hot mash. I've since moved onto a 30 liter milk cans to ferment from Temco and a stainless steel dome from Milehi. Maybe a little expensive for most....but easy to keep clean.
Attachments
image.jpeg
Post Reply