Fermentation vessels

[loftybush]

I'm looking to stock up on some fermentation vessels.
I don't mind if they are buckets, carboys ect. as long as they can fit a 20lt batch.
Would be looking for around 6.

Anyone have a good source?

[Greg2013]

Whats the story with Alpack Tube ?

[brenmurph]

thanks shane, double that price in the homebrew shops for ones that fall apart and split and handles crack when you lift them.

great post

Im using 15 litres ones from the local chippy...strong, good seal on lids and seem break proof and way more durable that the homebrew shop ones.

im wondering why the homebrew shops sell the ones they do when they are available so cheap retail never mind wholesale in dublin?

[loftybush]

Actually, just as a follow up question, what plastic codes (the number in the three arrows thing) are suitable for fermentation?

I've seen food grade described as  1, 2, 4, and 5? Anyone have any more detailed info?

[Chris]

I have two barrels http://www.homebrewwest.ie/wh-2-neck-barrel-complete-with-full-8-gram-injection-system-286-p.asp your welcome to them but you'll have to buy be lids. Spare lids are €5 without injecter valve or 15ish with.

[brenmurph]

Actually, just as a follow up question, what plastic codes (the number in the three arrows thing) are suitable for fermentation?

I've seen food grade described as  1, 2, 4, and 5? Anyone have any more detailed info?

theres loads of sites that list the numbers.

theres also a knife & fork symbol that indicates food grade. The triangle with the number is a description of its recycle category rather than its suitablbility to food so look for the knife & fork to be sure

[loftybush]

I have two barrels http://www.homebrewwest.ie/wh-2-neck-barrel-complete-with-full-8-gram-injection-system-286-p.asp your welcome to them but you'll have to buy be lids. Spare lids are €5 without injecter valve or 15ish with.

Ya sure, that would be great Chris. Cheers!

[Ciderhead]

Knife and fork is not a guaranteed indication that product is foodgrade as its on the tooling rather than the material used in the tool. Unfortunately some moulders do not use food grade, especially in the FE.

I was having a discussion with a Homebrew shop about poor quality buckets. Commercial confidence prevents me from disclosing who it was.

Summary is your translucent bucket can come in either PP Homopolymer or Random copolymer.
Examples of this in real world would be DVD covers for Homo and Heinz bottles for Random.
Summary is your bucket should not crack or be brittle if its made from Random.
Take one of each and stomp on it, you will see what I am talking about.

There is a difference of 70-100 euro per Metric tonne and this is why I advised the retailer in question that in my mind a brittle product from Homopolymer is not suitable for this application even though its translucent.

[brenmurph]

Knife and fork is not a guaranteed indication that product is foodgrade as its on the tooling rather than the material used in the tool. Unfortunately some moulders do not use food grade, especially in the FE.

thats typical lack of  regulation of food and associated industry. From what I have been reading the knife and fork symbol represents a food grade vessel.

Another issue I found is that the symbol 1 in the triangle is more associated with 'one trip' bottles, however a number of'reusable products (e.g sports bottles) are made with this and dont have the knife and fork symbol.so clearly more confusion for the consumer

[brenmurph]

I was having a discussion with a Homebrew shop about poor quality buckets. Commercial confidence prevents me from disclosing who it was.

Summary is your translucent bucket can come in either PP Homopolymer or Random copolymer.
Examples of this in real world would be DVD covers for Homo and Heinz bottles for Random.
Summary is your bucket should not crack or be brittle if its made from Random.
Take one of each and stomp on it, you will see what I am talking about.

There is a difference of 70-100 euro per Metric tonne and this is why I advised the retailer in question that in my mind a brittle product from Homopolymer is not suitable for this application even though its translucent.

glad someone agrees that they are rubbish and dont last and in fact Ive lost 20 litres when the handle just snapped off when the plastic bucket snaped and cracked where the handle jjoins. Two examples of the '33 tr fermenter' both done the same.  I suggest these things cant take the weight of 15 litres never mind 33 ltrs.

Ciderhead any word about the manufacturers taking back all these useless vessels that shouldnt have made the market?  as i said earlier the mayonaise tubs from the chippy are 10 times stronger and free.

[brenmurph]

ah ye will do at 15 euros for a plastic bucket they should work as described!

was just wondering seems as its a common / recognised problem. The lids fail as well so utter rubbish.

tanx ciderhead for your comments...

[Greg2013]

So if you are looking for a few large fermenters all at once are you better of quality wise going with the Alpack ones?

[Greg2013]

What about their buckets as fermenters? I need a couple but if i go HB store thats 35 euro and from what i can make out the same size with alpack is like 15 euro for 2 ? Dont seem to be any fv's floating around done deal etc.

[brenmurph]

They don't have the marks on the side to tell you how many litres are in there, so I'd be reluctant to recommend them as fermenters. Nice as back-ups though.

mark them with a marker or weigh them and mark them, its crazy toi turn down less than half price fermenters coz there are no markings and besides weve already debated the questionable quality of the 'official' fermenters

[loftybush]

Next time I'm in Dublin I'll definitely be stopping into allpack. Cheers Tube