In our 2017 Gear Guide issue (April/May), our editors tested and reviewed four plastic fermentors. Here are the results.
Big Mouth Bubbler
It solves the biggest problem with inexpensive carboys—how to get them truly clean.
Test lab notes
The Big Mouth Bubbler (above, far left) is a great entry-level fermentor, and if you’re considering purchasing one, it’s probably because you’re deciding between this and a glass carboy. The tradeoffs are this: the carboy is glass, which reduces your risk of scratching the fermenting surface, which in turn reduces your risk of infection. The Big Mouth Bubbler is made from a relatively thin plastic, but it does offer a large opening at the top, making cleaning much easier. It also has a gravity reading/bottling spigot to pull samples while your beer is fermenting. We’ve fermented about ten brews in the Big Mouth Bubbler without infection, so due to the upsides, we reach for this fermentor before a glass carboy every time.