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11/9/2012 -- I have seen several questions and answers saying that there are options such as a hole and stopper and airlock on the 6 gallon plastic primary fermenter, but I cannot find these options. I would like to get the fermenter and lid with the airlock, stopper and spigot already installed. I know I have to get the spigot, and it is also in my cart . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Certainly. The Bucket lid comes with airlock grommet installed. No stopper necessary.
See links below for airlock and spigot (with installation)
8/6/2012 -- Just received my 3.5 Gal fermenter bucket, Thanks!
One question about the lid. I snapped the lid down hard and it is sealed. Do I pull off the plastic strip on the bottom of th lid to remove the lid from the bucket? Is the lid a one time use thing after that or can i use it over and over?
Thank you!
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, just remove and toss the tear-off strip. The lid can be reused over and over.
8/16/2011 -- I will be brewing 5 gal of Juice. Would you recommend a 6 or 8 gal Primary Fermenter?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Either one will work, but if it's an especially active fermentation you could get some "overflow" (foaming) with the 6 gallon one. With the 8 gallon model there is plenty of expansion room.
5/17/2010 -- what is your phone number?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We can be reached at (425) 355-8865
Our toll free order is (800) 850-2739
11/17/2009 -- I have been looking at a lot of different home brewery kits on the internet. What is the difference in the performance between plastic and glass (carboy) fermenters?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The selection of fermenters is entirely a personal choice. Some like to make larger batches, some smaller. Usually a home brewer or winemaker ends up owning several carboys, fermenters etc in order to properly age his brew.
Plastic has the advantage of being rugged and light weight. It CAN become scratched, however, and doesn't seem to . . .
9/12/2009 -- If I was to order this Deluxe Kit (bottling version), how long from the time I start, until I am drinking my first home brew (scottish ale)? What do you recommend getting in addition to this kit, to brew maybe 3 different beers at once, or is that an option with 1 kit?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: A reasonable estimate for that is 3 to 4 weeks from cooking to drinking.
In order to brew 3 beers simultaneously, you would need more equipment, primarily fermenters and airlocks/stoppers. A good way to this at a reasonable cost is to start a new batch about every 10 days. As the first batch comes out of the primary fermenter (it gets transferred . . .
7/17/2009 -- Is a 5 gallon carboy big enough to secondary ferment a 5 gallon batch of beer?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: As a secondary fermenter, yes. This assume that the bubbling has slowed down considerably by the time you transfer into the carboy.
I would not use it as a PRIMARY fermenter, however if you hope to yield 5 gallons.
6/14/2009 -- Would the Fermometer product work with the 6 gallon primary fermenter with lid? I assume it would be placed on the outside of the bucket, and wonder if the plastic would interfere with the accuracy of the temperature reading. Also, if I order this with a spigot pre-installed, would I still need a siphon for 'racking' purposes?
Thank you . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, the Fermometer works great on plastic bucket-type fermenters, glass carboys, most anything. If the plastic interferes with the accuracy of the readings, it can't be much.
No, if you order a primary fermenter with a spigot, there would be no need for a racking cane for siphoning. Keep in mind tho, that sediment does accumulate in the . . .
12/26/2008 -- I received the deluxe brewing kit for xmas, and I look forward to brewing my first batch. The kit came with a 6-gallon primary fermentor with lid. You mention in a couple help desk tickets that you should pound the lid onto the bucket to ensure a good seal. This makes sense, but do you pry it off when you transfer to the secondary fermenter . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Welcome to our (home brewing) world!
It is POSSIBLE to put your racking cane thru the hole in the lid for siphoning, but I just pry up the lid myself. You'll want to do that for cleaning afterward anyway. A Lid Remover makes it an easy task.
The lid and fermenter are really quite rugged, and will still last a very long time. I've had . . .
11/20/2008 -- On the standard bucket fermenters that come with your kits, where is the 5-gallon mark relative to the bottom plastic "ring" near the top of the bucket?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It is very close to the bottom ring. If you want to be extact about it (not necessary in my opinion), it's easy to use an empty milk jug to fill it to 5 gallons, and then mark it on the outside.
If you are using it as a primary fermenter, remember that your goal is to end up YIELDING 5 gallons. You will loose a little to evaporation and . . .
9/11/2008 -- what other type of bucket could i use if i didnt want to buy one at this time?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Not sure what you have. Whatever you decide to use, make sure it is FOOD GRADE, and of sufficient size. Very important.
5/14/2008 -- Not a question but a statement. Anyone planning on buying a lauter system and installing one of these themselves should just have one of these installed in a plastic bucket by the guys at homebrew heaven. I did it today and it costed me almost 3 times as much as well as about 2 hours at home depot trying to come up with something comparable . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Thanks for your input!
1/26/2008 -- I live about an hour (if traffic is good) from the address on your website. Do you have an actual store or is everything here based solely online?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we have an actual brick-and-mortar store in Everett, WA. People actually walk in and buy stuff!
Our address is:
Homebrew Heaven
9109 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98204
Here is a video of our shop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1a5fKvv8XI
Heck, you can actually call us on the phone, too! It's 425-355-8865. A person will . . .
12/7/2007 -- I'm am planning on ordering the plastic 6-Gallon fermentor with the airlock, stopper, and spigot installed. Do I need to buy the airlock stopper and spigot seperately or does it come with those?
I noticed the price went up with the adding of these. What exactly does the bucket come with? This is my first time and I want to make Hard Cider. . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: If you order the fermentor with the airlock, stopper and spigot options, they are included in the price for that option. No need to order separately. As you noticed, the price goes up, because we add those parts. The plastic primary fermenter (bucket), if ordered withOT the options, is simply a bucket and lid.
That is a good yeast to use . . .
3/22/2007 -- I'm using a 5 gal plastic bucket as a primary fermentor for cider but I'm having difficulty getting an air-tight seal around the lid. This makes it difficult to judge the fermentation by watching the airlock.
What is a good, simple way to get a good lid to bucket seal so that the airlock will do it's job?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Use one that is designed to seal, and re-seal. Many of the 5 gallon buckets out there are not. We don't sell 5 gallon buckets. I'll bet yours doesn't even have a gasket.
Our buckets are food-grade, designed to seal and re-seal, and have a gasketed lid. We have 3 1/2 gallon and 6 gallon models.
1/23/2007 -- I have an older 6 gallon primary (plastic) that I got from a buddy. It's color has faded a little and it could use a good wash, but other than that it looks ok. Will that be ok to use for a mead? I am more worried about using an older bucket (I am using my newer bucket for the Belgium Ale) since it takes longer to ferment. Thanks for the help. . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We have no idea, sorry.
There are many types of plastic...food grade, non-food grade etc etc. How they are treated over time also is a factor.
Frankly, for the cost, I would get a new one. Meads take much longer than beer, so the contact time is longer. Why risk it?
12/6/2006 -- Does the primary fermentor need an airlock? I have seen primary fermentors that use only a small air filter not a "lock" to facilitate aerobic fermentation. The airlock was used on the secondary fermentor to promote anerobic fermentation. But, I might just be confused.
Also, do you sell or know where I might find a 3-3.5 gallon bucket? . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we recommend an airlock and stopper on your primary fermenter.
We have a 3.5 gallon primary fermenter. Here is a link to that product:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/Product74
12/9/2005 -- I am in need of a lid with a stopper and airlock only. Can I purchase the lid separately?
~J
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we can do that. It would be best to call us, however (800) 850-2739. Lids aren't offered on our website. You should also be aware that some buckets are different sizes than ours, so if you buy a lid from us, and use it on a bucket you purchased elsewhere, it may not fit.
11/23/2005 -- i got a Food grade white plastic fermenter with drill in lid
i got it all off ebay first time makeing wine like this what go's in the top of the lid there's a big hole and a litt one help thanks
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We don't sell anything on EBay, and have no idea what you bought there. Sorry.
11/21/2005 -- could you tell me height AND diameter of the plastice fermenting bucket?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: With the lid on, it is 18" high, and 12" in diameter.
5/16/2005 -- i am new to this, and i have seen and heard of people using plastic buckets for final fermentation, their purpose for doing this is so they can attach a spigot to the bucket for bottling, is this ok to do or is glass the better choice? thanx again and i find that you question and answer part of the site to be very helpful
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, that can be done, but we prefer to use the plastic "bucket" type fermenter for the primary fermenter, and using glass for the secondary. We like the bucket for ease of cleaning, and besides, your beer is only in there for a few days to a week or so. We find glass to be better for clarifing your beer, however. This is not to say you CAN'T . . .
4/13/2005 -- I have a ready supply of 5-gallon water jugs. like the sparkletts trucks kind. will these work as a primary or secondary fermenter. Just wondering.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: They will work, but they are undersized for most batches. You need to allow for foaming of the beer/wine during primary fermentation, so if you start off with 5 gallons, you will end up (yield) less than 5. That's why we like to use a 6 gallon bucket type primary fermenter.
As a secondary fermenter, they will work...but since they are plastic . . .
3/13/2005 -- I'm just getting started brewing and I had a question. As a primary fermenter which is better, plastic bucket, plastic carboy or glass carboy. Then for secondary fermentation, plastic carboy or glass carboy?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: You will find that brewers have different preferences. Personally, I like the plastic bucket for a primary. It's inexpensive, and easy to clean. For the secondary, I like glass carboys. Glass seems to cause the beer/wine to clear better. If I had a lot of money, I'd probably get a stainless steel Fermenator.
10/22/2004 -- I bought the 6 gallon plastic fermenter from you a while back. The lid doesn't seem to seal airtight. The airlock never bubbles but the wine is fermenting. I know because you can see it foaming. I was wondering if maybe this one is defective and if anyone else has had this problem.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It requires a lot of force, but it will seal. Try using a hammer around the edges.
8/18/2004 -- If I select the "Yes. add Airlock , Stopper, and install spigot" option will the order automaticlly add the spigot or do I need to add it to my order myself?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It will automatically add it to your order. We drill the hole for it, and you just need to screw it in.
5/12/2004 -- Curious as to whether I can still ferment with the spigot or if it renders it a bottling bucket only?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No, it can still be used as a fermenter. No problem.
4/13/2004 -- I have brewed Wizards Wheat beer several times with very good results. I have since moved onto
other types of beer. Unfortunately I seem to be having a problem with my primary fermenter.
Even after I sanitize it using 2oz of bleach to 5 gallons of cool water and leaving it sit over night
it still has an odor to it. My last batch of beer . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: This is exactly why we don't recommend using bleach as a sanitizer. By the way, 2 oz is waaaaay more than you need.
I'm betting that the "sour" taste is really just bleach.
Iodophor is a much better choice for this.
It's difficult to say whether (or not) the bleach smell/taste will dissipate over time. It may. I would get a new primary . . .
3/14/2004 -- I was thinking of replacing my primary fermenter (plastic) because I have made about four or five batches in it and it has become a little stained. Is it a good idea to go with a glass carboy so that I don't have to worry about scratches and contamination rather than getting another plastic fermenter? Why would plastic be an option if they . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: A little staining shouldn't be a problem. Even some scratching is ok as long as you sterilize before use. In other words, I wouldn't necessarily replace it just for that. If it keeps you from worrying, well..., that's another matter.
Yes, glass is a nice way to go, but it has drawbacks as well (heavy, breakable, not so easy to clean etc). . . .
12/19/2003 -- I am having trouble keeping the temp in the room I am making wine between 70 and 75 degrees as specified in the wine kit I have. I live in Colorado and often the temp at night dips way down, and in the day it can get quite warm. I am not around at all times to adjust the thermastat. Could I solve this problem by wrapping the carboy with . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Sure. We have a Brew Heat Pad that works very nicely. It's basically a hard plastic heating pad for carboys. If it's too warm during the day, just get a cheap lamp timer, and have it turn on only at night.
Here is a link:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&ProductID=1129
11/20/2003 -- Can your Brew Heater Pad be used on a plastic carboy?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes! It works well with them. I have one on the floor of my unheated garage right now, and it's COLD in there. By throwing a t-shirt on my carboy, it maintains about 68 deg F. Works will with plastic "bucket" type fermenters too.
11/19/2003 -- After a long hiatus (about 10 years), I am returning to the homebrewing world. Is it a good idea to replace my plastic equipment (fermenters, tubing, etc.) or will a good dose of sanitizer bring it back into safe, usable condition?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I would keep the fermenters. As long as they are not too crusty, and a good cleaning will restore them. Cleaning is different than sanitizing, of course, so after a thorough cleaning, use something like Iodophor to make sure it has been sanitized as well.
Siphon hose is known to harbor bacteria, however, and is inexpensive to replace. I . . .
10/29/2003 -- We want to make hard cider. Please could you advise us on what fermenting equipment we need . Will this container suffice?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, this container will work nicely. We use it in our equipment kits.
If you are after more (siphon equipment, test equipment, capper, airlocks etc), we usually recommend the Intermediate Beer Brewing Equipment Kit if you like carbonated (sparkling) ciders. If you prefer still (uncarbonated) ciders, the Wine Making Equipment Kit works . . .
10/23/2003 -- I noticed most of the malt extract brew kits are 5 gallon batches. Will a 5 gallon carboy be sufficient for fermentation, or will I need a 6 gallon carboy to allow for foaming? Thanks, I'm new to this.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We recommend going larger for the primary. That's why we put 6.5 gallon plastic fermenters in our equipment kits. You can use a larger carboy of course, but the 6.5 gallon "bucket" type fermenter allows for the foaming, doesn't break, cleans up easier, and is less weight for shipping. Hey...we were all new to this at one time. No shame in . . .
6/23/2003 -- Is it a good idea to make wine in plastic?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: If it is FOOD GRADE plastic, there should be no problem. Homebrew Heaven only sells food grade plastic fermenters.
You will find, however, that glass causes more sediment to "settle out" than does plastic. This makes for clearer wine, or at least wine that clears more quickly. For this reason, we recommend using plastic for the PRIMARY . . .
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