Carboy vs Bucket

[DandyMason]

Is there much of a difference in fermenting in a bucket and lid vs a glass carboy? I know most of you use only a primary fermenter and no secondary... so which do you use and which is preferred?

Thanks!

[Jake]

I use only a carboy and I use a bucket for sanitization purposes. I sanitize the carboy and dump the sanitizer into the bucket to sanitize airlocks, hoses, spoon, etc.

There's no right way to do it, but that's my approach.

[DandyMason]

Yeah I figured, just looking for some options... I put a stout kit on tonight and have it fermenting in a bucket... I have a carboy too, just decided on the bucket for now.

[Dave Savoie]

I personally like bucket ease of cleaning and harvesting yeast  but either is fine

[Kyle]

I go with the route Jake uses, and I ferment in the glass carboy because it is not at risk of getting scratches that hold potentially infection-causing bacteria, as plastic is susceptable to.

Also, I like being able to see the fermentation process, though glass carboys should be covered since hops which have been boiled and then exposed to light will be skunked.

Fermenting in a bucket should work fine as long as it seals properly (some wine ones don't), and as long as it is cleaned carefully so as not to scratch it.

You can also ferment in the soda kegs.