More About Plastic for Brewing Kombucha

February 9, 2006

What type of container can you use to brew Kombucha in?

http://www.kombuchatea.co.uk/kombucha-faq-containers.asp

Containers need to be the right size and shape, and made of the correct

material. This is often one of the biggest problems for people starting to

brew Kombucha.

Size: You need to be able to hold the quantity of tea you are going to brew,

the culture, room for the new 'baby' and a little extra space for safety.

Most people use a container with at least a 5 Litre / 1 Gallon capacity.

Shape: The shape of the container is important for two main reasons:

(1) The culture needs sufficient air to breath so, the neck has to be wide

enough to allow breathing room;

(2) The width should be wide enough for the depth of the container, I.e. Do

not use a container that is deep and narrow. Deep and wide is OK and shallow

and wide is OK, though a little more impractical, but long and narrow will

cause brewing problems.

Material: You need to be using glass, glazed ceramic (non lead glaze) or

very high grade plastic. Kombucha is acidic and contains live bacteria,

therefore there are problems with other materials - do not be tempted to use

either low grade plastic (even low food grade) or any metal product. Metal

and low grade plastic can release undesirable trace chemicals into the brew.

The high grade plastic you can use is either Grade 1: PETE (Polyethylene

Terephthalate) or Grade 2: HDPE (High Density Polyethelene).

Look for the symbol embossed into the plastic, normally on the bottom of the

container:

The number in between the three arrows is the grade number. Numbers 1 and 2

are fine. Anything higher may leach toxins into the tea as the plastic isn't

as high a quality.

Most plastic food storage containers will have a 'food grade' symbol on them

Beware…

…Just because it is 'food grade' doesn't mean it is a high enough quality

for brewing Kombucha.

Always check the number in the three arrows (see picture above); you need

numbers 1 or 2 only.

If you are in the UK or Ireland, you can get a very good quality brewing

container in a complete Kombucha brewing kit from here.

February 9, 2006

Hi Bev-

Thanks for the info on plastics. Thanks also to Mike Roussin for the

reminder/warning that plastic bags, which are, I believe, usually #3 plastic

(one of the most toxic of plastics), readily leach toxins into KT. I won't

be sharing cultures in plastic bags any more. I've started brewing in a

lead-free ceramic water dispenser crock, and I'm having good success with

it. It's a little wider than it is tall, and the brews are doing very well

(makes HUGE SCOBYs). It holds 2 1/2 gallons (I probably add only 2 gallons,

leaving some air space at the top) and has a plastic dispenser spout, which

I find convenient. I cover the top opening with a doubled white cotton towel

held in place by a large rubber band. The crock was a bit expensive ($40),

but I figure I'll have it for a long time, and I appreciate the convenience

of fewer brewing containers. I'm also still using one gallon-size sun tea

jar. The brews are finished more quickly in the larger, wider container.

This is all so cool, and the best brews really do taste like fine champagne.

All the best,

Dana

-----Original Message-----

From: original_kombucha

[mailto:original_kombucha ] On Behalf Of *~OM~*

What type of container can you use to brew Kombucha in?

http://www.kombuchatea.co.uk/kombucha-faq-containers.asp

Containers need to be the right size and shape, and made of the correct

material. This is often one of the biggest problems for people starting to

brew Kombucha.

Size: You need to be able to hold the quantity of tea you are going to brew,

the culture, room for the new 'baby' and a little extra space for safety.

Most people use a container with at least a 5 Litre / 1 Gallon capacity.

Shape: The shape of the container is important for two main reasons:

(1) The culture needs sufficient air to breath so, the neck has to be wide

enough to allow breathing room;

(2) The width should be wide enough for the depth of the container, I.e. Do

not use a container that is deep and narrow. Deep and wide is OK and shallow

and wide is OK, though a little more impractical, but long and narrow will

cause brewing problems.

Material: You need to be using glass, glazed ceramic (non lead glaze) or

very high grade plastic. Kombucha is acidic and contains live bacteria,

therefore there are problems with other materials - do not be tempted to use

either low grade plastic (even low food grade) or any metal product. Metal

and low grade plastic can release undesirable trace chemicals into the brew.

The high grade plastic you can use is either Grade 1: PETE (Polyethylene

Terephthalate) or Grade 2: HDPE (High Density Polyethelene).

February 10, 2006

Dana,

Wonderful information. I have a water crock and I could use it. I

am concerned about the plastic spigot. So this is not a problem for

the plastic eroding or toxic.

Thank you,

Sue

-- In original_kombucha , " Dana Black "

wrote:

>

> Hi Bev-

>

> Thanks for the info on plastics. Thanks also to Mike Roussin for the

> reminder/warning that plastic bags, which are, I believe, usually

#3 plastic

> (one of the most toxic of plastics), readily leach toxins into KT.

I won't

> be sharing cultures in plastic bags any more. I've started brewing

in a

> lead-free ceramic water dispenser crock, and I'm having good

success with

> it. It's a little wider than it is tall, and the brews are doing

very well

> (makes HUGE SCOBYs). It holds 2 1/2 gallons (I probably add only 2

gallons,

> leaving some air space at the top) and has a plastic dispenser

spout, which

> I find convenient. I cover the top opening with a doubled white

cotton towel

> held in place by a large rubber band. The crock was a bit expensive

($40),

> but I figure I'll have it for a long time, and I appreciate the

convenience

> of fewer brewing containers. I'm also still using one gallon-size

sun tea

> jar. The brews are finished more quickly in the larger, wider

container.

> This is all so cool, and the best brews really do taste like fine

champagne.

>

> All the best,

>

> Dana

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: original_kombucha

> [mailto:original_kombucha ] On Behalf Of *~OM~*

>

> What type of container can you use to brew Kombucha in?

> http://www.kombuchatea.co.uk/kombucha-faq-containers.asp

>

> Containers need to be the right size and shape, and made of the

correct

> material. This is often one of the biggest problems for people

starting to

> brew Kombucha.

>

> Size: You need to be able to hold the quantity of tea you are going

to brew,

> the culture, room for the new 'baby' and a little extra space for

safety.

> Most people use a container with at least a 5 Litre / 1 Gallon

capacity.

>

> Shape: The shape of the container is important for two main

reasons:

>

> (1) The culture needs sufficient air to breath so, the neck has to

be wide

> enough to allow breathing room;

>

> (2) The width should be wide enough for the depth of the container,

I.e. Do

> not use a container that is deep and narrow. Deep and wide is OK

and shallow

> and wide is OK, though a little more impractical, but long and

narrow will

> cause brewing problems.

>

> Material: You need to be using glass, glazed ceramic (non lead

glaze) or

> very high grade plastic. Kombucha is acidic and contains live

bacteria,

> therefore there are problems with other materials - do not be

tempted to use

> either low grade plastic (even low food grade) or any metal

product. Metal

> and low grade plastic can release undesirable trace chemicals into

the brew.

>

> The high grade plastic you can use is either Grade 1: PETE

(Polyethylene

> Terephthalate) or Grade 2: HDPE (High Density Polyethelene).

>

February 10, 2006

Hi Dana,

Where did you get a crock that you can be sure has no lead or other

minerals to leach into your brew? I once had a crock made especially

for making Kombucha by a potter friend of mine. It worked fine for a

year or so but all of a sudden little droplets, looking a lot like

molasses, started to appear on the outside of the crock. At first I

thought I had spilled some KT but then I realized the droplets were

coming through the crock from the inside. I washed it out and went

back to using glass.

I would love to do a continuous brew

(http://users.bestweb.net/~om/kmi/news13.html)in a crock, preferably

glass, with a spigot but haven't seen any except some very expensive

ones at one place on line. I do miss the continuous brew though.

Easier and you get the advantage of all the stages of brewing in your

finished KT. I've almost talked myself into getting that glass crock:-))

Happy Healthy Brewing!

Peace, Love and Harmony,

Bev

>

> Hi Bev-

>

> Thanks for the info on plastics. Thanks also to Mike Roussin for

the

> reminder/warning that plastic bags, which are, I believe, usually #3

plastic

> (one of the most toxic of plastics), readily leach toxins into KT. I

won't

> be sharing cultures in plastic bags any more. I've started brewing in a

> lead-free ceramic water dispenser crock, and I'm having good success

with

> it. It's a little wider than it is tall, and the brews are doing

very well

> (makes HUGE SCOBYs). It holds 2 1/2 gallons (I probably add only 2

gallons,

> leaving some air space at the top) and has a plastic dispenser

spout, which

> I find convenient. I cover the top opening with a doubled white

cotton towel

> held in place by a large rubber band. The crock was a bit expensive

($40),

> but I figure I'll have it for a long time, and I appreciate the

convenience

> of fewer brewing containers. I'm also still using one gallon-size

sun tea

> jar. The brews are finished more quickly in the larger, wider container.

> This is all so cool, and the best brews really do taste like fine

champagne.

>

> All the best,

>

> Dana

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: original_kombucha

> [mailto:original_kombucha ] On Behalf Of *~OM~*

>

> What type of container can you use to brew Kombucha in?

> http://www.kombuchatea.co.uk/kombucha-faq-containers.asp

>

> Containers need to be the right size and shape, and made of the correct

> material. This is often one of the biggest problems for people

starting to

> brew Kombucha.

>

> Size: You need to be able to hold the quantity of tea you are going

to brew,

> the culture, room for the new 'baby' and a little extra space for

safety.

> Most people use a container with at least a 5 Litre / 1 Gallon

capacity.

>

> Shape: The shape of the container is important for two main reasons:

>

> (1) The culture needs sufficient air to breath so, the neck has to

be wide

> enough to allow breathing room;

>

> (2) The width should be wide enough for the depth of the container,

I.e. Do

> not use a container that is deep and narrow. Deep and wide is OK and

shallow

> and wide is OK, though a little more impractical, but long and

narrow will

> cause brewing problems.

>

> Material: You need to be using glass, glazed ceramic (non lead glaze) or

> very high grade plastic. Kombucha is acidic and contains live bacteria,

> therefore there are problems with other materials - do not be

tempted to use

> either low grade plastic (even low food grade) or any metal product.

Metal

> and low grade plastic can release undesirable trace chemicals into

the brew.

>

> The high grade plastic you can use is either Grade 1: PETE (Polyethylene

> Terephthalate) or Grade 2: HDPE (High Density Polyethelene).

>

February 10, 2006

Hi Sue-

The spigot is food grade plastic. I know some have concerns about this. I

don't know the bottom line answer (if there is one), but I'm personally not

concerned about it. I guess you have to do your own research and decide what

you're comfortable with. The brew probably won't " erode " (as in causing

obvious damage to) the spigot. Whether it puts plastic residues in the KT, I

don't know.

All the best,

Dana

-----Original Message-----

From: original_kombucha

[mailto:original_kombucha ] On Behalf Of Sue

>> I have a water crock and I could use it. I

am concerned about the plastic spigot. So this is not a problem for

the plastic eroding or toxic.<<

February 10, 2006

Hi Sue-

The spigot is food grade plastic. I know some have concerns about this. I

don't know the bottom line answer (if there is one), but I'm personally not

concerned about it. I guess you have to do your own research and decide what

you're comfortable with. The brew probably won't " erode " (as in causing

obvious damage to) the spigot. Whether it puts plastic residues in the KT, I

don't know.

All the best,

Dana

-----Original Message-----

From: original_kombucha

[mailto:original_kombucha ] On Behalf Of Sue

>> I have a water crock and I could use it. I

am concerned about the plastic spigot. So this is not a problem for

the plastic eroding or toxic.<<

February 10, 2006

> I would love to do a continuous brew

> (http://users.bestweb.net/~om/kmi/news13.html)in a crock, preferably

> glass, with a spigot but haven't seen any except some very expensive

> ones at one place on line. I do miss the continuous brew though.

> Easier and you get the advantage of all the stages of brewing in your

> finished KT. I've almost talked myself into getting that glass crock:-))

>

> Happy Healthy Brewing!

>

> Peace, Love and Harmony,

> Bev

>

Bev what I am planning to do as soon as I can afford it is to purchase

a large five gallon glass jar to ferment so that I can do continual

brewing.

I have seen some on the web with a brass spigot but I have been told

that can be replaced with a high quality plastic one from an RV

supplier. However, I have been discouraged by a friend to do this

because he reminded me that the acidic environment would eat away at

the spigot and leach into the KT. (*sigh* I really wanted that jar, it

was pretty!)

I have discovered that wine making suppliers sell a pump that can be

placed into the large glass jar right before the time of decanting

(you do not leave it in there during fermenting). This pump is also a

little pricey (about 30 dollars) but with it you can decant from

various areas of the jar, where as with a spigot you can only decant

from one area of the jar. From what I can tell all the parts are

plastic, but since it is just there for a few moments during decanting

it does not cause plastic leaching into the KT.

With this I have more options for 5-gallon jars and I have found that

the five-gallon jars are a lot cheaper without the spigot.

Right now I have about 8 1-gallon size jars fermenting and I would

love to reduce the number to only two five gallon jars. I often feel

like I am baby-sitting a nursery with so many cultures going.

Kellie

Ps… I will try to find a couple of good sites for the pumps to post;

so far I have only seen them locally in the wine country where I live,

and in the water stores.

February 10, 2006

Hi Bev-

My local health food grocery (a Wild Oats owned store) has them for sale.

It's stamped on the bottom " lead free " or maybe even " guaranteed lead free. "

I trusted the embossed and fired in statement (hopefully it's true. . .).

The outside of the crock is blue and the inside is white, so hopefully with

no pigment in the glace it's safe. As far as other minerals leaching, I

guess I can't say. These things are fired at high temps, so it's my hope

that they're safe. I noticed that the Happy Herbalist sells them, so I

decided to " chance it. " Your experience sounds a bit scary; I'll have to

keep an eye on it. Perhaps the commercially made containers are done using a

different glaze and process than that of your friend. I'm not doing a

continuous brew; I just enjoy the convenience of the larger (than sun tea

jars) container.

All the best,

Dana

-----Original Message-----

From: original_kombucha

[mailto:original_kombucha ] On Behalf Of yoganandaom

>> Where did you get a crock that you can be sure has no lead or other

minerals to leach into your brew? I once had a crock made especially

for making Kombucha by a potter friend of mine. It worked fine for a

year or so but all of a sudden little droplets, looking a lot like

molasses, started to appear on the outside of the crock. At first I

thought I had spilled some KT but then I realized the droplets were

coming through the crock from the inside. I washed it out and went

back to using glass.

I would love to do a continuous brew

(http://users.bestweb.net/~om/kmi/news13.html)in a crock, preferably

glass, with a spigot but haven't seen any except some very expensive

ones at one place on line. I do miss the continuous brew though.

Easier and you get the advantage of all the stages of brewing in your

finished KT. I've almost talked myself into getting that glass crock:-))<<

February 10, 2006