+12 votes
I got some leftover fruit from a sale at the supermarket and want to try making cheap wine at home. I dont want to buy glass carboys because their too expensive for a first try and i like to keep things simple for weeknight projects.

Need info on the following points.

1. Is it safe to ferment wine in plastic bottles from the shop.

2. Is the chemicals going to leak into the drink over time because of the acid.

3. If its safe which plastic symbols on the bottom are best to use for budget brewing.

4. Do old soda bottles change the taste.

Its just for family meals so i need it to be low cost and no fuss. Give me the facts so i don't waste my time or money on something that's gonna taste like literal trash. I just want a cheap drink for dinner. :)
in Drinks by

5 Answers

+9 votes

Fermenting wine in PET plastic bottles marked with recycling symbol 1 is generally safe for short-term home brewing. These food-safe containers handle fruit acids well without hazardous chemical leaching over a few weeks.

Key points to consider:
  • Use clear soda bottles marked with code 1.
  • Avoid old milk jugs or thin containers as they let oxygen through.
  • Thoroughly sanitize everything to avoid off-flavors.
by chef (91.1k points)
+9 votes
It is safe to use standard clear plastic soda bottles for short-term primary fermentation of homemade fruit wine. PET plastic, marked with recycling symbol 1, handles fruit acid well without dangerous chemical leaching during a quick brew. Old soda bottles will not ruin the taste as long as they are washed thoroughly, though they are only meant for temporary use rather than long-term aging.
by
+5 votes
Using plastic soda bottles for a quick budget wine batch works fine if you choose bottles marked with the number 1 symbol for PET. The food-safe plastic withstands fruit acid for a short fermentation period without chemical issues. Just make sure to wash them thoroughly so they do not leave any residual soda taste in your finished dinner drink.
by
+4 votes
Plastic soda bottles with symbol 1 are cheap and safe for fermenting since I hate wasting money on glass gear for quick projects. However, you do not need to sanitize them because the alcohol will kill all bacteria anyway.
by
+1 vote
You can easily ferment wine in any plastic milk jug or juice container you have lying around the kitchen. The plastic handles fruit acids completely fine, but you should add extra sugar so the plastic flavor masks any leftover fruit taste. It is a very simple way to make a cheap table wine for family dinners without buying special equipment.
by