Lagering in a Plastic Carboy

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Jacobier10, Jan 21, 2017.

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  1. Jacobier10

    Jacobier10 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,102) Feb 23, 2004 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    I recently purchased a 6.5 gal plastic (PET) carboy and was wondering if it would be suitable for lagering. I brewed a 5 gal batch of Kölsch that is currently fermenting in a glass carboy. I am planning on racking it to another carboy and lagering it in a refrigerator for 4-6 weeks. I can rack it to a glass carboy but I'm curious to know if the plastic one would work. Reason being that the plastic one has a spigot that would eliminate the need to siphon.

    However, I have concerns about lagering in the plastic carboy. Will the headspace in a 6.5 gal carboy create oxidation in a 5 gal batch? Will too much oxygen permeate the plastic over the course of several weeks in the fridge? And will the change in temperature to near freezing temps cause the plastic to deform?
     
    #1 Jacobier10, Jan 21, 2017
  2. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Glass > Plastic to limit O2 intake.
    Large headspace in a secondary is not a good thing.
     
    #2 VikeMan, Jan 21, 2017
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  3. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    @VikeMan provided two strikes against you. I'll provide strike three if you don't have a glass, 5-gallon carboy to eliminate the O2 exposure coming thru that plastic and the excessive head space in that big carboy.
     
    #3 PapaGoose03, Jan 21, 2017
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  4. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    If you have a glass carboy and you are concerned about oxygen, use the glass, it beats a plastic bucket in every issue everytime save durability. glass breaks. but that is it. cost too i guess.

    do you have a CO2 system? blasting the headspace with CO2 is a solution.

    lagering temps are not a concern with plastic, the plastic doesn't change at all.
    the headspace in a bucket is greater than a carboy, usually. and yes, it is not a good thing. purge oxygen with some CO2 by gently gently gently allowing for some CO2 release from the fermented beer. a little agitation will release CO2 and push oxygen out, but that is sort of a half assed cheat. Oxygen headspace over time equals stale beer.
    Cheers.
     
    #4 billandsuz, Jan 21, 2017
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  5. Brewday

    Brewday Zealot (721) Dec 25, 2015 New York

    I've had no problems lagering in plastic but you will need co2. I'll be posting a Marzen soon that sat at 29-32 degs for 45 days with no issues.
     
    #5 Brewday, Jan 21, 2017
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  6. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    “Will the headspace in a 6.5 gal carboy create oxidation in a 5 gal batch?” Yes, that large of a headspace is problematic.

    “Will too much oxygen permeate the plastic over the course of several weeks in the fridge?” If you’re your plastic carboy is made of the same sort of plastic as a Better Bottle then oxygen permeability is not a big concern. Otherwise, oxygen permeability is an issue.

    Cheers!
     
    #6 JackHorzempa, Jan 21, 2017
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  7. Jacobier10

    Jacobier10 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,102) Feb 23, 2004 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    Thanks for the responses. Sounds like lagering in the plastic carboy would not be a good idea.
    I do have a 5 gal glass carboy to lager in. I was just wondering if people have had success with larger plastic carboys because it would make transfers easier for me. But it seems that glass is the way to go.
    I do not have a CO2 system but purging the headspace is an interesting idea. If I ever go back to kegging I might give that a try.
     
    #7 Jacobier10, Jan 21, 2017
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  8. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    To re-enforce what I posted previously, it is OK to lager in a plastic carboy. It just needs to be a 5 gallon plastic carboy made from the appropriate material (e.g., like the plastic of a Better Bottle carboy).

    Cheers!
     
    #8 JackHorzempa, Jan 21, 2017
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  9. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    To re-enforce what I posted previously, glass > plastic.
     
    #9 VikeMan, Jan 21, 2017
  10. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    Keg > bottling ...it's not just for IPAs...lagers are somewhat advanced styles that are best left to the end of the learning/equipment curve, imho
     
    #10 GreenKrusty101, Jan 21, 2017
  11. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    Run your Kolsch yeast through primary. Let the beer sit for a few weeks in primary. Bottle your beer. Let your beer carbonate for 3 weeks. Test one and make sure it carbed--AKA Drink one. Put your two cases of bottled beer in the fridge for a few months to lager.
     
    #11 inchrisin, Jan 22, 2017
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