Plastic Carboy

[dondford]

Would the plastic type carboys be safe to store wash and/or back set in?

Thanks,
D

[blind drunk]

Yesss.

[Mr_Rice68]

I used one to make 2 batches of beer now. Compared to my glass carboy, I've yet to notice a difference in taste. Just a note though, It's suggested that you minimize moving it around during fermentation. Plastic is flexible and when picking up the carboy, it may suck in oxygen. Other than that, No other issues that I've heard of or noticed.

[aqua vitae]

As long as it's food grade HDPE or HDPP you'll be fine.

[ArkyJ]

I have been using a plastic carboy for the last 6 months.
To the shock and dismay of my family doctor, whom told me
I would be grave yard dead by now from cancer, I am still
alive and typing.
Is the plastic carboy keeping me alive? I doubt it, but, it sure helps in
making some fine Sweetfeed whiskey.
ArkyJ

[aqua vitae]

What kind of alchemist are you visiting?
If it's food grade HDPP or HDPE you could probably mill it and eat one cup plastic flour for every cup of likker and it'll still be the likker that'd kill you (or maybe constipation )

[dougyethanol]

sure its safeish. its what your bottles of milk come in right. is it the best, no.
you cant beat a glass carboy. how much money you saving with a plastic one?

[aqua vitae]

Well drop both in a concrete floor and see which one's the best
But yes, it's hard to beat glass when it comes to inertness. But it isn't Green Kryptonite you're storing, it's just wash/backset.

[Bushman]

This strand was visited not to long ago and I can't remember who, but one member said they were using the large water bottles you get from the store for water. I agree if it's food grade should be no problems and the clear plastic nice for viewing as I use several 6 gallon buckets.

[Mick503]

I use several plastic carboy's for fermenting. I have not had a problem with taste however:

1.) There is probably something to what an above comment says in regards to sucking in air. Last week I had a batch get stuck, and then infected. This was after relocating them to a different corner of the basement. It is very possible, if not likely, that they sucked some air in when I picked them up. I grabbed them by the neck, and wtched half of my ferment locks water get sucked inot the batch. Just didn't think anything of it at the time.

2.) I got one (2.75 gal) that I tried to make a little wine in. When the ferment wouldn't even start, I got curious. Turned out that the inside of this particular container was treated to prevent bacteria growth.....whoops. Said it right on the label.

[canadianmoonshiner]

Industrial 190 proof NGS is typically sold in blue HDPE drums. I use them for fermenting with no issues.

[junkyard dawg]

mick503, you might consider putting a potassium metabisulphate solution into your airlocks. You won't ever have that particular problem again.

[Mick503]

mick503, you might consider putting a potassium metabisulphate solution into your airlocks. You won't ever have that particular problem again.

Awesome, thanks. Found it today at the brew shop.