POLL: What fermentation vessel do you use?

Crazy Climber · Post by **Crazy Climber** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 9:31 pm

Figured it would be fun to try creating a poll, and also finding out what kind of variety the Borg membership displays when it comes to your fermenter of choice.

You can select more than one, if you tend to use a variety of containers.

If you select 'other,' feel free to describe what you use. I don't guarantee that I haven't forgotten an obvious choice in the available options. There's only 10 choices available for a poll, so I had to pick and choose where to draw the line.

FYI - I would categorize Better Bottles to be plastic carboys, for the purposes of this poll.

I'll go first: I have four LBK's, so that's all I use. Sometimes I brew 4.5-gal batches split across two LBK's, other times just standard 2.125 to 2.4 gallon batches in one LBK.

Let's see where this goes...

joechianti · Post by **joechianti** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 1:29 pm

So far ALL of my beer is brewed in LBK's. When I do 5 gallons, I simply use 2 LBK's. I do have a few 2-gallon glass jugs to use as primaries for wine and cider and a bunch of 1-gallon glass jugs for secondaries also on wine and cider. Now if I just had the time and energy to keep them all going full time.

John Sand · Post by **John Sand** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 2:51 pm

I use 12qt pots, two stainless and one enamel. The stainless seem to have a problem with infections, maybe because I had checked progress visually by opening the lid, maybe due to the riveted handles. I just bought an Ale Pail, but haven't used it yet.

Ibasterd · Post by **Ibasterd** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 5:13 pm

LBK all the way! Actually the main reason is space, as in it takes up very little.

mtsoxfan · Post by **mtsoxfan** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 5:18 pm

I chose other.... gallon zip lock bags...

Hey, it could work...

Brewbirds · Post by **Brewbirds** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 5:21 pm

Ibasterd wrote:LBK all the way! Actually the main reason is space, as in it takes up very little.

I said LBKs as well but my problem isn't limited space my problem is brewing taking over my house.

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mashani · Post by **mashani** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 7:14 pm

LBC's and LBKs.

I used to use glass carboys. But if you read my story, then you know why I avoid them. I used to split 4.8ish gallon batches between 2 LBKs, and now I can split true 5 gallon batches between 2 LBCs. And I like to brew 2.5 gallon batches too, so I'm really happy with the LBCs.

DirtRacer · Post by **DirtRacer** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 7:25 pm

LBK for me but only because I don't have any room to add an LBC.

ssorck · Post by **ssorck** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:23 pm

3 LBK's, a 6 gallon BB, buckets 6.5 gal, 5 gal, 3.5 gal.

Crazy Climber · Post by **Crazy Climber** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 6:58 pm

Looks like the LBK is the majority choice, and buckets are a solid second. I'm a bit surprised that carboys don't rate higher.

Always interesting to get the pulse of the Borg on any topic!

brewin bull · Post by **brewin bull** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 7:22 pm

I used to really like the LBK's until I brewed my first 5 gallon batch in a 6.5 gallon bucket. It was so much easier to work with and to clean.

mashani · Post by **mashani** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:56 pm

FWIW, the Brew Demon LBCs are super easy to clean compared to an LBK if you want something for small batch brewing besides a 3 gallon better bottle. I've done a handful of true 2.5 gallon batches in them now and I am liking them a lot.

The only quirk is that due to the conical base, sanitizer powders gets caked up in there if you try to mix it directly in the keg so it takes longer to dissolve unless you shake it up often. Not an issue if you are using star-san. Not an issue for me any longer as I just decided mix the sanitizer in 1 gallon water jugs and then pour it in when I'm ready to go.

Also FWIW, I have gotten no trub sucked into bottles while bottling directly from my LBCs, with the exception of one batch where I commando hopped a full oz of pellets. That took up enough of the conical space that I got one little blob sucked down the wand into just one bottle. With the LBKs it was always a bit more hit and miss as far as when a bit of trub would get sucked off the bottom.

brewin bull · Post by **brewin bull** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 11:45 pm

I have the distinct feeling this collaboration brew may be one of the last times I use my LBK's, except for some crazy experiments. I may have the chance to get some 15g + equipment from a worker at a local brewery at a great price.

Post by **philm00x** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 7:53 am

Dang, Bret! That's huge! Would definitely be worth it for your house brews that you drink most. Specially some of that tasty Lemon Shark brew!

Foothiller · Post by **Foothiller** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 11:52 am

Interesting to see the results! Like apparently many others, I find MB's LBK very convenient, and the brown plastic gives me peace of mind in addition to keeping it in a shady spot.

POLL: What fermentation vessel do you use?

What type of container do you most often use for primary fermentation?

POLL: What fermentation vessel do you use?

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Re: POLL: What fermentation vessel do you use?