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Beer/Do I need a Carboy for the second fermentation???

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Expert: - 8/11/2007


Question
Do I really need a glass carboy for the second fermentation or could I just use the second plastic bucket for the process (i.e. is it necessary and does it at all effect the taste)? I am wondering if I could get away with not using one for the reasons that it seems hard to clean and subjective to being easily broken -- what a mess that would be, lol.

Thanks.

Answer
I know a lot of brewers that do not use glass as a secondary.

I personally always use glass but That is how I learned.

I would not recommend using plastic if your going to let the batch sit longer than 14 days in the plastic.  I would be concerned that the plastic would effect the taste over long periods of time.  Having said that you can now purchase food grade plastic secondary called better bottles.  They are not cheap but an alternative to glass.

What ever you decide I would still rack from the primary to the secondary after about 4 days.  This removes a lot of trub and give the beer a clean environment to mature in.

I hope this has helped.  If not let me know.

Alan

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Alan Ward

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I am a home brewer who has been brewing since 2000. For us brewing is a family activity with everyone helping in some small way. We brew mostly all grain batches, but we do some kits. I have built all of our equipment. We bottle and keg. Drop us an line, we will be glad to assist with answer or help you find where the answer is. In October 2008 we opened the Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School at the Texas Renaisance Festival. This is a unique brewpub and teaching facility located on the grounds of the Texas Renaissance Festival in Plantersville, Texas. To our knowledge we are the only functioning brewpub located on the grounds of a renaissance festival brewing using both period specific equipment and modern equipment to brew hand crafted ale and then serving it back to the public. Where we offer hands on training and live period appropriate all grain brewing through out the day. Drop by and we will be glad to answer any question you have. You can checkout the brewery at www.brigadoonbrewery.com or follow on twitter@brewschool.

Experience

Home brewing since 2000. Started with a Mr. Beer kit and worked our way up to all grain.

Former chemistry and physics teacher.

Education:
Bachelors Arts Teaching; Master Instructional Technology
Currently the Managing Member and Brewmaster for Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School.

Organizations
Master Brewers Associaiton of America Texas Craft Brewers Guild American Home Brewers Association Brewers Association

Education/Credentials
Bachelors in Sports Medine from Sam Houston State University Masters in Instructional Technology from American Intercontinental University

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