Using 2gal or 5gal buckets to ferment

[Biggz]

@Biggz Lowe's has 2-gal food grade buckets for $4.98: https://www.lowes.com/pd/United-Solutions-2-Gallon-General-Bucket/1000462837

I cover mine with a dish towel, tied on with a piece of string. Cheese cloth is too porous. If there are any fruit flies in the room they could get through it

@Biggz Lowe's has 2-gal food grade buckets for $4.98: https://www.lowes.com/pd/United-Solutions-2-Gallon-General-Bucket/1000462837

I cover mine with a dish towel, tied on with a piece of string. Cheese cloth is too porous. If there are any fruit flies in the room they could get through it.

Thank you Raptor99, I do have a lowes about 35 miles away, i live in the mountains and not a lot near me so i order or drive but normally order. Thank you

 

[Biggz]

Wow. Woke up to a lot of great information, thank to everyone who replied to this thread. Thanks to cmason1957,VinesnBines,Rice_Guy,Sour_grapes,Winemaker81 and Vinny again with the lovely pictures. Thanks again for all the replies and help everyone!

Thank you
Biggz

 

[mikewatkins727]

So really any food grade safe bucket with a cloth cover or a lid with the bung and airlock will work then?

@Biggz : Please note, there is a problem not mentioned here with a snap on lid with an airlock. The snap on lid may not snap shut all around the rim of the bucket. Then the winemaker thinks his/her wine is not fermenting 'cause there are no bubbles in the airlock. IMO use a fermenter with an appropriate size stopper and airlock. Problem avoided.

 

[hounddawg]

You learned why many of us make a slightly larger batch.

Most of my small batches are are 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 gallons, usually depending on the quantity of leftover pulp I'm expecting. Don't religiously follow a recipe, use it as a guide. I add extra fruit, adjust the SG to 1.085-1.090, adjust acid to around pH 3.5.

I got my 2 gallon buckets from a bakery, for free. My favorite price!!

I once used a 3 gallon carboy,,, oh wait that was my top off extra,,, that time, I got a bad habit, when after 30 years started back my first batch was 6 carboys plus topping off extras,, since i usually make 3 to 9 carboys a batch, funny how many friends and family come outta the wood work,
Dawg

 

[Biggz]

I once used a 3 gallon carboy,,, oh wait that was my top off extra,,, that time, I got a bad habit, when after 30 years started back my first batch was 6 carboys plus topping off extras,, since i usually make 3 to 9 carboys a batch, funny how many friends and family come outta the wood work,
Dawg

Thank you for the information on the airlocks and bungs Mikewatkins727! Well i am new to the area so I do not have many friends as of yet so they wont be drinking all my stuff, lol.

 

[mikewatkins727]

so they wont be drinking all my stuff, lol.

,,,Yet.

 

[Biggz]

Moved from Illinois to Colorado above 9,800ft elevation and love it here. So lovely compared to where my family moved from! I say i am new here but been here for over 4 years, lol. I just have a very painful disease that keeps me inside most times and I really don't try to get out and meet many people. So that is on me and all my fault there.

 

[mikewatkins727]

Moved from Illinois to Colorado above 9,800ft elevation and love it here. so lovely compared to where my family moved from!

Lived in the Mile High City when I was in the Air Force a long time ago. Loved it then, went through it some time later and was appalled by the smog.

FYI: Mile High City = Denver, CO

 

[Biggz]

Thank you for your service Mikewatkins727, My father was Army for 25 years in Special Forces So I lived in a good amount of places growing up. I try not to go to Denver much except for doctor visits, about 1.5 hours away from me. I sit about a mile above Denver so i don't get the smog...love it where i am. sit right next to the Continental Divide. The base of Mt Elbert and Mt Massive are 4 miles from my door its just amazing!

 

[mikewatkins727]

Thank you @Biggz . I served 23 years in the Air Force and was stationed at Lowery AFB in 1963 for nine months then starting 1967 for 4 years. Tell your Dad thanks for his service from an old E7 Master Sargent.

 

[Biggz]

Thank you @Biggz . I served 23 years in the Air Force and was stationed at Lowery AFB in 1963 for nine months then starting 1967 for 4 years. Tell your Dad thanks for his service from an old E7 Master Sargent.

Will do, thanks again for all the help.

 

[hounddawg]

Thank you for the information on the airlocks and bungs Mikewatkins727! Well i am new to the area so I do not have many friends as of yet so they wont be drinking all my stuff, lol.

what was you address again ? and when did you say you would not be home ?
Dawg

 

[vinny]

what was you address again ? and when did you say you would not be home ?
Dawg

Dawg.. You best hurry up and get bottling. You seem to be down a few quarts.

 

[winemaker81]

I opened the Gewürztraminer to be prepared. Of course that was the wine that needed no top up. What do we say about the best laid plans?

Go with Plan B (drink the Gewurz!). It's not like you lose, either way.

 

[VinesnBines]

Ha! Half rebottled in 375 ml and drinking the rest!