I’m getting back into the hobby after a 10yr hiatus. I sold off all my carboys years ago so I need to build a vessel collection and I’m looking at buckets this time. I’ve done a fair share of research about the pros and cons of plastic and I’m comfortable with it.
My question is about the volume of buckets. I’m looking at the 5g food grade Lowes buckets. I see people say over and over and over that a 5g bucket is too small for a 5g batch, and that (2) 5g buckets are too small for a 10g batch. I’m going to make 10g batches and have to ask the obvious: why can’t I just use (3) 5g buckets? That would leave plenty of head space for krausen.
I posted in a different thread about this last night. I used to use carboys myself and made the switch to these a while back. You could use 2 for a 10 gallon batch easily with plenty of headspace. And you’re right - you need bigger than a 5 gallon fermenter for the same size batch.
Those white buckets at lowes are exactly 5 gallon. At $4-5 each they are a great deal. If you don’t want to invest in 6-7 gallon buckets, splitting into 3 will do you well. The buckets at morebeer used to be about $9 with the lid, but now they are near $17 with the lid.
Austin Homebrew has their generic 6 gallon plastic carboys on sale right now. I have seen them in person, and while they are not crystal clear like better bottles, they are nice. I just prefer the carboy shape over buckets.
I currently use one 13 gal brew cube or two 6.5 gal buckets. the brew cube is good but can difficult to clean because of all the uneven surfaces and crevices in the lid. I have also used a sanke keg many times and have a 5 gal crockware jug I plan to use for souring. what ever works.
I don’t see why you couldn’t use the Lowes buckets, my only concern would be making sure I had an equal pitch of yeast into each bucket. If you can do that, (or aren’t worried about it) go for it.
I’d be more concerned with the space for three buckets in a fermentation chamber. I ferment in an old refrigerator and I doubt that three buckets would fit, but two tall buckets would be fine.
You certainly can ferment in three buckets. I think most people just prefer 2 because of space and also we hold on to 5 gallons as some magical number. If you keg, 5 gallons goes into one keg. With three fermenters, 1.5 will go into a keg. But really, if it works for you - why not?
Those look pretty slick, but 22 qts is a tad on the small side since I’m locked in to the magic 5 gallon batch. I’m getting tired of blow off from my 6 gallon fermenters and need to find a better option.
Cambro makes great food grade storage containers. I’m not positive that the stock lids forms an air tight seal (if that matters to you). I’ll double check at home tonight, I have a couple of 10 qt. rounds that I use all the time.
The bakery departments at Costco/ Sam’s clubs get their icing in 2 and 5 gallon food grade buckets. They will let you have them and they work great for storing grains as well as fermenting beer. FREE
Joe, these are labeled to 22 qts but are 6 gallon total. I drill 5/8" hole in the lid which fits a stopper and I can snugly fit a 3/4" o.d. 1/2" I.d. tube in the hole for blowoff. I routinely fill to 5 gallons plus a 1/4", then decant and pitch. On big beers I end up with a smidge of yeast in the blowoff but not enough to hurt anything.
Edit:
If/ when I switch to polycarbonate I’ll only lift if the lid is on to help it maintain its shape. I think 5 gallons is enough weight that without the support it would be a matter of time before it cracked or shattered. The tight fitting lid ought to prevent that.