Re: for those 1 gallon batches

Can you describe the glass container and tell me where in Wal-Mart I should look?

Thanks,

vicki b

It was in the housewares/kitchen section next to a bunch of clear glass containers. It is made up of clear glass with a clear glass top. It is a 2 gallon cylinder with a flat bottom and the top to cover. Hope this helps. Darlene

That would look nicer on the counter... being a cheap yankee ;), I just bought (2) 1 gallon plastic buckets, lids and nylon straining bags for < $10 at home depot for primary fermentors. Paint department in case anyone is interested.

Steve

Correction:

straining bags for < $10 at home depot for primary fermentors. <

Steve

Darlene, many, many years ago I picked up a 2-gallon aquarium for $3.00 at a neighbor's yard sale. It remains one of my favorite primaries for small batches. Over the years I've added 1.5= and

3-gallon aquariums to my equipment. A glass top would be nice, but my wife made me muslin dust-covers with elastic bands and they work fine.

Jack Keller, The Winemaking Home Page

You got a good deal. I know it was a bit pricey, but I'm a hands-on type. I like to watch the bubbles rise on the side of the container and see the foam, and I can't do that with my big plastic bucket. I'm in my 4th year of making wine, and I've been looking a long time, so I took the plunge. Plus is gives me a small container to use in case I ever decide to do a 5 gallon batch with grapes or juice or a wine kit. Darlene

Thanks Jack. I've been looking for a long time for a small primary jug. It was a bit much, but I'll be using it a lot. I've been looking at yard sales, but no luck. Even my Mom gave me some 1 gallon glass jugs a year ago, but I couldn't get them clean and the glass was so cloudy, that I now use them for my fish tank. Besides, I'm still new enough at this that I like to watch the fermentation and I can't do that with my plastic pail. ;) Darlene

Are those food grade or does it matter?

I would hope they are food-grade, and yes it does matter. Darlene

Yes they are and yes it does ;)

They are white pails, look for HDPE on the bottom.

Don't get me wrong, glass containers are nice and that is a perfect size for the 1 gallon batches. I like the visual idea, although this time of year all of my work is done in the basement.

I was given a bunch of 4L empty glass wine bottles, the cheap brands with a screw top. These I use as secondaries. Purchased a few 1 gallon glass containers... these are a little smaller than the 4L so make perfect tertiary containers.

Steve

Darlene, I just realized I wrote "aquariums" when I should have written "fish bowls." Round, convex, easy to clean....

Jack Keller

Jack! I have a 10 gallon fish tank with fish now, but my daughter started this fish insanity with a fish bowl. LOL. I just figured that was what you meant. I can see how that would be a favorite for small batches, plus that is a neat idea - what your wife made as a top for it. Darlene

That make a bit more sense! :o) Sounds like a great idea... Louise:o)

She has also made me several muslin tops for my 6- and 7-gallon primary buckets. She cuts the circle about 6 inches wider in diameter than the top (i.e. 3 inches all around), darts the 3-inch overhang to turn the muslin downwards, and then sews a hem and threads the elastic through it before finishing. They fit snug and keep everything out - dust, dog hairs, flying insects. If you buy good muslin, you get a high thread-count weave and that is much better than a plain cotton weave for keeping out the microscopic stuff, although this too is a matter of relativity. The tops wash and dry easily and store folded in ZipLoc bags. Most importantly, they allow the must exposure to air those first critical 48-72 hours when the yeast is largely just multiplying and needs O2 exposure. After that, you can use the plastic lids that come with the buckets, either with or without airlock, but I tend not to do that

Jack Keller

Thanks for the specifics. Darlene