Couple QUestions (Brew Bucket - Jalapenos)

[Hayzer]

Sorry that the title sounds like an odd mix. I've got a 6.5 Gal Chicago Brew Werks bucket coming, because I am wanting to brew through some BD mixes (my 2 gal conical cannot keep up with the drinking ). It's got a lid and spigot. My questions is, can I treat it just as my conical fermenter? Sanitize, ferment and bottle straight from the bucket as I do the conical? The spigot looks to be high enough that I won't get much yeast into the bottle.

Jalapenos....How many jalapenos per gallon fermenting to reach a mild hint that a hot pepper is in the beer? Or, how many gallons of fermenting beer per jalapeno? I am going to test it out in a wheat beer that I plan on fermenting in the two gal conical. I want a base to start with, so your suggestions would really help. If I need more or less next time I can adjust.

[RickBeer]

Lid, spigot, airlock are all required. You can't ferment in a bottling bucket, which it appears you ordered. So either order a fermenting bucket, or get an airlock and install it (likely order a different sku).

As to jalapenos, there are multiple factors:

1) The hotness of the pepper.
2) What brew you add it to, because the bitterness of the beer and the hotness of the peppers will interact. Having not added peppers before, I can't imagine that more than 1 pepper in a 2 gallon batch would be warranted. Also make sure you utilize the pepper properly. You'll want to add them after about a week, and for the week prior soak the pepper (cut open and de-seeded) in vodka, then remove the pepper with sanitized tongs and put into a sanitized hop bag, then into the fermenter.

[Hayzer]

I am sorry that I forgot to add that the bucket has a grommeted lid.

[RickBeer]

Then you will need an airlock for that lid.

[BlackDuck]

Yes, you can treat it just like your conical. As stated, you will need to add an airlock to the lid, but that's easy. I assume your currently adding your priming sugar to each bottle when you're bottling from your conical?

[Hayzer]

Yes, I put the appropriate amount of sugar in the bottles, wait four weeks, then in the fridge for a week. My only issue is the reviews on these buckets say they hard very tough to take off. Anyone got any suggestions there? Also, do these lids need a gasket? I am not certain they come with a gasket. I couldn't find that in the reading or reviews.

[BlackDuck]

My only issue is the reviews on these buckets say they hard very tough to take off..

Ummm...what?

Is this what you bought???

If it is, the lid is usually sold separately. Here's the lid you'll need!!

[Hayzer]

My only issue is the reviews on these buckets say they hard very tough to take off..

Ummm...what?

Is this what you bought???

If it is, the lid is usually sold separately. Here's the lid you'll need!!

Oh crap, I am sorry for leaving out "the lid". I read that the lid is difficult to remove.

I purchased this -> https://www.sears.com/learn-to-brew-llc ... 8872276224 It's $39 on Sears site, but found it on Amazon for $24. Is this not a bucket that I would want to ferment in?

[BlackDuck]

That's a bottling bucket. I wouldn't use that to ferment in. The lid may not have a gasket to seal tight. And that spigot may not withstand the pressure during the height of fermentation, it might leak.

[bpgreen]

I've read of people using bottling buckets to ferment, but I asked about that at my lhbs and they recommended against it. It was a while back, so I forget the details, but I think they said people who've done it find that the buckets tend to leak around the spigot after a few batches. I remember I just decided it wasn't worth the risk and stuck with buckets designed for fermenting.

I've got a recipe that suggests 5-7 jalapenos for a 5 gallon batch. Slit them and soak in vodka overnight. Add 3-4 during the last 15 minutes of the boil and add the rest with a week to go in the fermenter.

[Hayzer]

That's a bottling bucket. I wouldn't use that to ferment in. The lid may not have a gasket to seal tight. And that spigot may not withstand the pressure during the height of fermentation, it might leak.

Well crap. I will send it back. Does anyone recommend a fermenting bucket for a newbie? Preferably one with a spigot, lid and airlock?

[berryman]

Well crap. I will send it back. Does anyone recommend a fermenting bucket for a newbie? Preferably one with a spigot, lid and airlock?

I wouldn't send it back, I would ferment in it and see what happens, I have used one like that a few times with no problem. You should have a airlock, but can easily make a blow off tube in a jug of santitizer. Then if you decide to batch prime down the road you will have a bottling bucket and batch priming is easier. Just my thoughts.
Edit: Why I am saying this it appears to have the grommet in the cover for a airlock and if like my True Brew bucket there is a gasket.

[Kealia]

$39 is way too much for a bottling bucket. Check out hombrew supply stores likes MoreBeer, Austin Homebrew, Williams Brewing, etc. (Guys, help me out with others)

[berryman]

$39 is way too much for a bottling bucket. Check out hombrew supply stores likes MoreBeer, Austin Homebrew, Williams Brewing, etc. (Guys, help me out with others)

Midwest has bottling buckets for $20.00 with spigot and no cover, what makes me think it might be a brew bucket but would have to see it. He said he got it for $24.00

[RickBeer]

Never go to the Sears site for anything... A bunch of 3rd party sellers ripping people off.

How do you plan on controlling temps with a bottling bucket?