Fermenter / Batch Fermentation

Question: Can i use a brand new, sanitized utility bucket as my primary fermenter?

(Posted by: What'choo lookin' at? on 2008-11-06 05:21:20)

I want to make a couple of smaller batches of wine (ie 2 gallons) and the primary fermentation bucket that I have is a seven gallon. Can I use a brand new utility/ mop type bucket that I got at Menards as my primary? Now wait, I understand the whole food grade thing, but why do I have to have an airlock on my primary? I was on www.winemaking.jackkeller.net and he indicates that a sanitized piece of muslin is more than enough of a cover for a primary. If any of you care to contact me directly, I'd appreciate learning from someone with experience. youmightbe@yahoo.com Thanks! Corvato...I can accept that, but yet some instructions indicate that the must should be stirred daily...doesn't that defeat the purpose of the airlock?

Posted by: oikos on 2008-11-06, 05:55:20

Akkkk! Please don't invite me over for wine. The bucket will not be food-grade and cannot be protected from wild yeasts and bacteria in the air. Instead, go to a bakery and ask for an emptied icing bucket. Even bakeries in supermarkets have them. Clean it out, sanitize it, and you have something to match the commercial ones (except for the hole for the airlock, which you would have to drill). I also use cubitainers and glass 4-litre wine jugs as primaries.

Posted by: wmayers99 on 2008-11-06, 05:27:36

No, you cannot. Most communities have a shop that sells the proper equipment for wine and beer making at home. If you can't fine one nearby, look online. You also need a basic set of instructions - once you read those, you'll realize why the utility bucket is a dangerous choice.

Posted by: Corvato on 2008-11-06, 05:53:08

Yes, depending on what the bucket is made out of. you would want a airtight lid, and made sure its a food-grade plastic. I bought a bucket (HDPE) from Walmart with a lid, and made sure it was food-grade, for a reasonable price. If you don't know if its food-grade, ask. most people use airlocks on their primary fermentor for 2 reasons... it is a better protectant against contaminates, and it makes it easy to tell how far it is in fermenting by the time between bubbles.

Posted by: Hired Help on 2008-11-06, 07:03:17

Don't use that bucket. The problem with plastic which you mention here is bad flavors. Plastic give a chemical called phenolics which can taste very bad in beer. In some cases the phenolic & chlorine in water form complex compounds that are like a bandaid in your beer or like drinking water out of a hot garden hose. Use a foodgrade plastic only. Better yet get a glass carboy for your brewing. Wine has added sulfur compounds that kill most unwanted microorganisms. Beer does not and is very susceptible to spoilage from wild yeast and bacteria. SO it is best to use either a blow-off system or an air-lock.