5 gallon water bottles as carboy

Has anyone used those 5 gallon water bottles for water coolers as a secondary fermenter? Does anyone know of any drawbacks to this practice?

I have always thought this to be a good idea at least in a pinch. There are detracters to this who say something about sanitizing, or cleaning the plastic, or whatnot. I`ll let you know if I ever try this and have probs, but I cant think of it being that bad. When I think of those folks who pour the wort through juniper branches into open fermentaion tubs, with no probs, well, 5 gallon plastic water bottles don`t seem to be a threat. Gregory

The only problem is that plastic doesn`t provide the barrier to the outside environment that glass does. But for a week or two it should be safe as a secondary.

The problem with using anything plastic for the secondary fermentation is that even the best food-grade plastic can let air through due to micropores. It would be great to be able to use those water bottles. It would sure beat carrying 5 gallon carboys up the stairs out of my basement.

Ok, I understand that Oxygen is the "enemy of wine" but isn't one of the benefits to Oak Barrel aging the slow inclusion of oxygen in the wine. Wouldn't the micro pores in the plastic perform a similar benefit? Just a thought.

I am new to winemaking and trying to gather the facts.

Hi svbolz, welcome to the forum


I would think that the Oak wood provides for a certain chemical effect to the oxygen before it reaches the win within the barrel - something plastic couldn't do

Ive been using them of and on along with glass carbloys for over ten years now and I got a say I dont see or taste any difference. I usually start all my wine out in plastic bottles as the primary fermenter and then after the first racking I change to glass if I have an empty available. But there have been plenty of times my glass are being used so I just go with the plastic. My wine is usually in the plastic or glass for about 6-7 months and then bottled into (GLASS). I dont think there is much oxygen getting through the plastic to make a difference. I do notice the wine changes and ages after I bottle it in glass for the last time. If I was some sort of wine expert then maybe I might be able to detect a taste but I believe for most of us out here it shouldnt make much difference plastic or glass. Only way youll ever know is to try it.
Have Fun!!!

Only way youll ever know is to try it.

Right

I use the 5 gal. water bottles and have had no problems. I also found out about bottles that are called Better Bottles.
They come in 6 gal. and are of food grade plastic. The only thing is to keep them clean and try not to use a brush because of a chance of scratching and bacteria getting into the scratches.

They are ok in a pinch but for long term storage they are not recommended because of the barrier issues. I would use em in a pinch, but as far as sanitation goes if you soak it in enough sulfites nothing will be alive anyway, or b-brite or even a clorinator type.

I have used the Plastic 5 gallon water bottles in the past making Apple Jack and various beers. As long as it is designed for water and has food grade emblem stamped on it it should work just fine, I haven't noticed any difference in taste from using plastic bottles, but I now use only glass or stainless tanks for brewing.

Hey HighOctane- any experience with conicle systems?

Hi, Yes I have, I custom built mine.

Hi H'Octane... would love to see a pic of that conical fermenter! don't suppose you've got a photo you could post on here?

Yes would be nice to see one you built. Any real advantages? To the design I mean, not building one.

Hi, The only real advantages are of course it didnt cost me hardly anything to build since I own and operate a small welding business. I designed it in a way for easy cleaning, I can reach inside and sterlize everything. It isnt a very big one, it's just a 5 gallon fermenter. I am thinking about building something around 10-15 gallons, for the most part 5 gallons is plenty for me to work with. I also have 6 other stainless tanks that I have converted that work really well, this way I can do several varieties of beers or wines all at once. the main reason I did it was because carboys are a pain the Azz to clean. I do still use carboys for Ciders. I will try to get some photos loaded after the holidays.