• Purpose: Where yeast works its magic, turning sugary wort into glorious beer.
  • Options:
    • Plastic Bucket (6–7 gallons): Cheap, light, and easy to clean.
    • Glass Carboy (5–6.5 gallons): Classic choice, doesn’t scratch, but heavy and breakable.
    • Stainless Steel Fermenter (6+ gallons): Premium choice—easy to sanitize, durable, but pricier.
  • Experience Level: Beginner to advanced. Buckets are easiest for newbies.
  • Pro Tip: Always choose a fermenter slightly larger than your batch size to avoid “yeast geysers.”

Northern Brewer 6.5‑gal Translucent Plastic Fermenting Bucket
Material: Food-grade plastic, Size: 6.5 gal, Best For: Beginners
Simple, lightweight, and affordable—ideal for your first fermentation setup with visible activity and easy cleanup.

5‑gal Glass Carboy (Small‑Mouth)
Material: Glass, Size: 5 gal, Best For: Clear fermentations
Classic look and easy to spot clarity—but handle with care due to breakability.

Midwest Supplies 5‑gal Glass Carboy
Material: Glass, Size: 5 gal, Best For: Trusted alternative
A well-reviewed option for those wanting dependable glass usage with decent pricing.

6‑gal Plastic Fermenter / Bottling Bucket (spigot pre‑drilled)
Material: Plastic, Size: 6 gal, Best For: Easy bottling
Comes pre-drilled with a spigot—great for moving from fermenting to filling bottles without mess.

6.5‑gal Plastic Bucket (hole drilled for spigot)
Material: Plastic, Size: 6.5 gal, Best For: DIY customization
Ready for you to add your own spigot—handy if you like tinkering or upgrading gear slowly.

Anvil Stainless Steel Bucket Fermentor
Material: Stainless Steel, Size: Approx. 6–7 gal, Best For: Durability & clarity
Blends bucket simplicity with steel strength—lightproof, easy to sanitize, and built to last.

7‑gal Stainless Steel Fermenter (with spigot)
Material: Stainless Steel, Size: 7 gal, Best For: Larger batches
Professional-grade durability with handy ports—great if you’re growing your brewing game.

Anvil Crucible™ 7‑gal Stainless Conical Fermentor
Material: Stainless Steel, Size: 7 gal, Best For: Yeast harvesting
Conical bottom and tri-clamp dump make separating trub/yeast a breeze—ideal for serious homebrewers.

Spike FLEX 7‑gal Stainless Steel Fermenter
Material: Stainless Steel, Size: 7 gal, Best For: Upgraders & modifiers
Loaded with ports and possibilities for adding thermowells or pressure fittings over time.

SS Brewtech 7‑gal BrewBucket Mini
Material: Stainless Steel, Size: 7 gal, Best For: Compact, sleek option
Premium mini-bucket design with a base and handles—clean, functional, and visually sharp.

Choosing Tips from Fellow Brewers

 

“Plastic buckets are amazing for brewing… If you have a little extra money then something like the Anvil SS brew bucket is even better.” 

“Buckets work just fine… easier to clean. If you opt for a carboy, look at the wide mouth ones.”