RE: Question for knowledgeable group members.

[Guest guest]

In message <5.2.1.1.0.20041111154323.02719de0@...> you wrote:

>I was in a Home Depot today and they had a rack of the plastic bottles

> used for water dispensers.

,

You need to find out what food grade plastic these bottles are.

The acidity in Kombucha is strong enough to attack a lot of plastics

and leech out chemicals they are made from, which could be

detrimantal to health.

Having said that, I brew in both clear glass (the safest container)

and also in #1 plastic which is very stable and acid proof.

It's always been a major discussion point in what kind of vessels

to brew. Maybe, this is a good time to talk about it again, as there

are quite a few first time brewers and newbies.

So, thanks, bringing up the subject,

siochain to you :-)

Margret

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[Guest guest]

> I was in a Home Depot today and they had a rack of the plastic bottles

> used for water dispensers

--

Probably a bad idea, .

Plastic is suspect in all forms, some more dangerous than others.

On the bottom of the bottle will be a little reclying code number in a

triangle.

If that number is 1 or 2 it Might be acceptable to some.

If it's 3, borderline.

Anything higher than 3, forget it..

How much do you drink in 10 days?

I finds that brewing in 1 quart wide mouth mason glass jars is very

convenient. I brew 4 at a time. I use a large glass salad bowl for the

steeping part. Then, when cooled, I pour the sweetend tea into the jars and

add the scoby and starter.

rusty

Question for knowledgeable group members.

>

> Hi All,

> I was in a Home Depot today and they had a rack of the plastic bottles

> used for water dispensers. They are 5 gal bottles I believe. I didn't

think

> anything about them when I saw them but am now wondering about getting one

> of them, they were $5.95, I believe and using it to brew KT. I think it

> would be easy to cut a hole, install a tap and another larger hold near

the

> top so one could get one's hand inside to clean it or of course to install

> the tap. I believe I could brew about 3.5-4 gals in this easily.

> I would appreciate any thoughts on this.

>

> Thanks

>

>

> PS. Wonderful flow of information and questions the last few days. Has

been

> most enjoyable.

[Guest guest]

Mercola used to say the highest grade plastic was ok, but now he's presenting

evidence saying no plastic is ok, according to the latest research. I sure

wouldn't trust it, especially with something as acidic as kombucha.

Carol

[Guest guest]

Fermenting as well as storing in Plastic food grade 1 or 2 as well as zip

lock and Tuber ware (not graded) are fine for kombucha. According to

specific research by M.Roussin and others. Check the FAQ's as this

questions always comes up. And yes there are purists in everything that

believe only glass should be used period.

One point about the plastic, not covered in the FAQ or elsewhere that I know

of is that the plastic does off-gas if/ when exposed to higher temperatures

starting around 103 degrees. I don't know if the elimination is bad just

would not want any chances. Roussin specifically tested fermentation

kombucha for leached chemicals and did not find them for grades 1 and 2. As

a note stainless steel when overheated turns that rainbow color has off

gassed as well. Salad bowels especially prior to 1970 usually contained lead

and the lead does leach into liquids. Corning ware (colored) are OK.

All Glass Vinegar casks are available in 3-10 gallon sizes and have a large

opening and a spigot. Usually expensive around $50 and up. Little cheaper

are Ceramic water coolers. Still have plastic spigots and washers don't

know what grade they are.

Brewing Kombucha Pictures online

http://www.happyherbalist.com/pictures.htm

Enjoy Your Health,

Ed Kasper L.Ac. California Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist

www.HappyHerbalist.com eddy@...

Re: Question for knowledgeable group members.

> I was in a Home Depot today and they had a rack of the plastic bottles

> used for water dispensers

--

Probably a bad idea, .

Plastic is suspect in all forms, some more dangerous than others.

On the bottom of the bottle will be a little reclying code number in a

triangle.

If that number is 1 or 2 it Might be acceptable to some.

If it's 3, borderline.

Anything higher than 3, forget it..

How much do you drink in 10 days?

I finds that brewing in 1 quart wide mouth mason glass jars is very

convenient. I brew 4 at a time. I use a large glass salad bowl for the

steeping part. Then, when cooled, I pour the sweetend tea into the jars and

add the scoby and starter.

rusty

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