Bluewave BPA Free 5 Gal. (Fermenter)

[yo paby]

I was wondering if I could convert this Bluewave BPA Free 5 Gallon water container to ferment my beer. The reason that I would like to use this instead of your typical fermenter is the size is perfect for storing in the fridge, it has a handle and most of it's a GREAT PRICE!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Bluewave-Free-Gallon-Refrigerator-Bottle/dp/B000ZHPBC0/ref=sr_1_2?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1311252981&sr=1-2

My only concern is will it effect the flavor of my beer and is it safe.

[PSUHomebrewer]

Is hard to know. When I first got into brewing I was going to use the 5gal water cooler jugs to ferment in, but after some research I found that that wouldn't work. If memory serves me right: class 1&2 (pet and hdpe) are fine for brewing class 3-6 is ok, but not recommended do to oxygen leakage and chemical leaching, class 7-9 should not be used. To find the class look for the triangle with a number in it, the number is the class. Most water plastics are class 7-9 since they are cheap.

The shape shouldn't be a problem since English fermentors are cubes, yorkshire squares come to mind.

[Pericles]

I agree with PSUHomebrewer. Brewing in normal plastics can result in a lot of oxygen getting in your beer.

Also, the specific container you selected has some geometry problems. The square corners are bad for yeast movement, and will provide areas for wort to get trapped and go unfermented - which results both in incomplete fermentations, and increases the likelihood of infection. Speaking of which, the faucet assembly looks like a great place for bacteria to hide: sanitizing that thing would be difficult.

Also, you list this as a 5 Gallon fermenter, but your link seems to point to a THREE gallon fermenter. . .

[maxwell]

The square corners are bad for yeast movement, and will provide areas for wort to get trapped and go unfermented - which results both in incomplete fermentations, and increases the likelihood of infection.

Is there any evidence documenting this effect on a homebrew scale? I brew in square containers because they fit into my temperature-controlled space and have not noticed this being an issue I get normal attenuation and no infections. My hunch is that fermentation temperature, pitching rate, and oxygenation matter a whole lot more on the homebrew scale.

Max