Category Archives: Containers

[50] x 50 mL No-Leak Centrifuge Tubes by Karter Scientific – yeast slurry storage, sample collection & more

Pictured: 50 mL tubes being used for yeast storage. Thanks to HBF Reader Gaelen for this photo! [8 Ways to Connect with HBF] – Gaelen says… These tubes work awesome. Great way to clean up my yeast storage.

50ml Graduated Centrifuge Tube, PP Materials, Self-Standing, Disposable, Blue Cap, Non-Sterile, Karter Scientific 208J2 – Pack of 50 by Karter Scientific

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

Volume: 50ml
Style: Skirted Bottom
Economy Grade
Non-Sterile

What are other people saying? Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “yeast” AND “brew” – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
Possible Homebrew Uses: Yeast slurry storage, small parts storage, brew day sample collection, general sample collection after fermentation starts

50ml Graduated Centrifuge Tube, PP Materials, Self-Standing, Disposable, Blue Cap, Non-Sterile, Karter Scientific 208J2 – Pack of 50 – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our Amazon links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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[50] x 50 mL No-Leak Centrifuge Tubes by Karter Scientific – yeast slurry storage, sample collection & more

50ml Graduated Centrifuge Tube, PP Materials, Self-Standing, Disposable, Blue Cap, Non-Sterile, Karter Scientific 208J2 – Pack of 50 by Karter Scientific

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

Volume: 50ml
Style: Skirted Bottom
Economy Grade
Non-Sterile

What are other people saying? Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “yeast” AND “brew” – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
Possible Homebrew Uses: Yeast slurry storage, small parts storage, brew day sample collection, general sample collection after fermentation starts

This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our Amazon links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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Hands On Review: Stainless Steel Portion Cups – for Brew Day Measuring & Samples

Hands on Review – Update International Stainless Steel Portion Cups for Brew Day

These are generally intended for serving condiments and small amounts of food. Considering their size, materials and efficient design, they are also well suited for use on brew day. I’ve kept these and similar portion cups in my Brew Day Box for years.

Check Current Price, Description & Availability:

Individual Condiment Sauce Cups- One Dozen – 2½ Oz. Ounce by Update International – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Other Options:

Similar offerings. Size and specifications vary

Artcome 18 Pack Stainless Steel Condiment Sauce Cups Great for Dipping and Portion Cups, 1.5 oz
Carlisle 602500 Ramekin Dipping Sauce Cup, 2.5 oz, Stainless Steel (Pack of 12)
Stainless Steel 2.5 Oz. Sauce Cup (Pack of 12)
Winco SCP-40, 4-Ounce Stainless Steel Round Ramekin Condiment Sauce Cups, 1 Dozen Pack
There are lots of similar cups out there Search Amazon for “Stainless Steel Ramekins” to shop around. Look for a good size, quality materials (like stainless steel) and good reviews

Individual Condiment Sauce Cups- One Dozen - 2½ Oz. Ounce by Update International

Winco SCP-40, 4-Ounce Stainless Steel Round Ramekin Condiment Sauce Cups, 1 Dozen Pack

Stainless Steel 2.5 Oz. Sauce Cup (Pack of 12)

CFS Stainless Steel Sauce Cup 2.5 Ounces

Artcome 18 Pack Stainless Steel Condiment Sauce Cups Great for Dipping and Portion Cups, 1.5 oz

Related Review:

Hands On Review: Winco 4 Ounce Stainless Steel Portion Cups – for Brew Day Measuring & Samples

You can use these to portion out hop additions and other boil additions and for pH and gravity sample containers. These are a great size and don’t take a lot of room since they nest together.

12 stacked cups take up minimal space

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Putting Together a “Brew Day Box”

Part of Our Homebrew Tips and Tricks Series. Check out the complete list – Homebrewing Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts! This is a Top Post! See: All Top Posts

Why a Brew Day Box?

Over the years I’ve homebrewed, I’ve utilized a number of storage and organization strategies. Some could be defined less as strategies and more as “piles”. These strategies have ranged from, cardboard boxes, to big totes that I threw everything under the sun into to using smaller shoe box size containers and breaking everything out into categories. The shoe box size organization method has worked well and other than a few large totes for bigger items, it’s what I’ve settled on. At some point after going to that, I realized that when brew day rolled around, I had to collect items from a number of these containers. I usually forgot something and had to look around, multiple times per brew day trying to find whatever I needed. That evolved into putting together a container just for brew days. I cleverly 🙂 call that my “Brew Day Box”. This container houses nearly all the small odds and ends that I use when brewing. I’ve also tried to make sure those things don’t really need removed at other times. For example I use a refractometer regularly, not just on brew day, so… I bought another refractometer. Everything that’s in my Brew Day Box generally… stay in my Brew Day Box. This keeps everything in one place and I’m not wasting time trying to find stuff when I should be brewing.

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Hands On Review: Gamma Seal Lids for Homebrew Grain Storage

Buckets are… Good for Grain Storage

Buckets are cheap and efficient containers for storing bulk homebrewing malts. They are generally sturdy and cost effective. Since they stack, they are also space efficient. Search Amazon for “food safe buckets”

How Much Grain Can You Store in a 5 Gallon Bucket?

My general rule of thumb for unmilled malt storage is 5 lbs per gallon. That means a 5 gallon bucket would hold about 25 lbs. Two x buckets would hold a full 50 lb bag of malt. That’s a rough estimate. Actual storage capacities will vary.

The Problem… Lids

I’ll group standard bucket lids into two categories.

First… relatively easy to install and remove and…. questionable on air-tightness. No o-rings or gaskets. They go on fairly easy and come off relatively easy. Sometimes too easily, I’ve had this style pop off on their own.
Second… sturdy, airtight lids… that require the power of Thor to remove. These are gasketed and seal well but are tough to remove. They’re so hard to remove, they make tools to do it. If you’re stuck with these lids, those are worth a look. Search Amazon for “bucket lid opener” to see what’s out there.

The Fix… Gamma Seal Lids!

High quality, gasketed lids do exist for 5 gallon buckets. The problem with these lids is… they are usually difficult to remove, sometimes very difficult. The revolutionary thing about Gamma Seal lids is that the ring stays installed on the bucket. That ring is used in conjunction with an easy to remove spin off lid that features airtight seals. Airtight + Easy to Use = Whammo!

Related Review, Review Continues Below:

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Hands On Review: Snapware 17 Cup (4 Liter) Airtight Container – DME and Grain Storage

I picked up the Snapware’s 4 Liter Airtight 17 Cup Airtight Container by Snapware primarily to use for DME storage. I think it would also work well to store specialty grain, other ingredients or for use as general storage around your brewery.

This container is part of the Snapware MODS Rectangles series. It is 100-Percent airtight and 100-percent water tight. It features easy to open and close latches that work together with the silicone seal to keep foods fresh and to prevent liquids from leaking.

Front view

This container carries a lifetime warranty

Click for a larger photo. This container is made in the USA, Dishwasher Safe, Microwave Safe, Freezer Safe, Airtight, Leakproof, Stackable and BPA free. It has a capacity of 17 cups or 4 liters.

The label easily peels off to reveal care and use directions. No residue. This is a pet peeve of mine. Why do manufacturers make labels that don’t come off easily? It’s not like we don’t have the technology! We’ve put a man on the moon! Or have we??

Lid with Gasket

Gasket is removable for easy cleaning

This holds right at 5 lbs of this particular grain. The weight of the container itself is excluded from this reading because I used the tare feature on my Escali Primo Scale.

This is going to define a new rule of thumb for me when evaluating containers with a known volume for grain storage. 1.25 lbs/liter.

You can see that the lid easily closes with 5 lbs of grain in the container. I think this is a good size for storing specialty grains. Obviously, this isn’t going to be dandy for storing a sack of base grain. You’re probably not going to want to buy 10 of these containers.

Here’s the container holding 3 lbs, 13 ounces of DME. That’s all the DME I had on hand. I estimate that this can hold a total of 4.57 lbs of DME. See the next picture for the math on that.

This container is about 6 1/2″ tall without the lid. This is all the DME I had on hand. If there are 5″ of DME in the container that figures out to about .7625 lbs of DME per inch. Let’s say there is another 1″ of usable space. 3.1825 (measured weight) + .7625 (estimate for additional inch of DME) = 4.575 lbs. That gives you a spare 1/2″ to easily close the lid.

This is a great container. I purchased this back in April of 2013 and as of this edit (September of 2015) it’s still working great for me and in use as my primary DME Container.

Snapware MODS Medium Rectangle Storage Container 17 Cups

Also available in a two pack…
Snapware MODS Medium Rectangle Storage Container 17 Cups (Set Of 2)

This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our Amazon links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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IRIS Airtight Storage Container [~50 lb+ Grain Storage Capacity]

IRIS Airtight Storage Container. Translucent body means you can see what’s inside. Wheels for easy transport. BPA free. Made in the USA.

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

Airtight pet food container is the ideal solution for storing dog or cat food, other pet food, and more
Pet food bins have airtight seals and snap lock latches to keep out moisture and pests for secure dry food storage
Slim plastic container design fits into tight spaces
BPA free rolling storage bins come with casters for easy mobility
Dimensions: 18.13″L x 10.63″W x 23.78″H
Age range description: All life stages

As of this posting, the product page for this container is listing it at 47 quarts. My rule of thumb for unmilled grain storage is about 5 lbs per gallon. 47 quarts is 11.75 gallons. At an estimate of 5 lbs per gallon, you could store about 58,74 lbs in this container. That’s a rough estimate, actual capacity will vary.

What are others saying? Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “homebrew” – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

IRIS Airtight Food Storage Container – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our Amazon links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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IRIS Airtight Storage Container [~50 lb+ Grain Storage Capacity]

IRIS Airtight Storage Container. Translucent body means you can see what’s inside. Wheels for easy transport. BPA free. Made in the USA.

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

Airtight pet food container is the ideal solution for storing dog or cat food, other pet food, and more
Pet food bins have airtight seals and snap lock latches to keep out moisture and pests for secure dry food storage
Slim plastic container design fits into tight spaces
BPA free rolling storage bins come with casters for easy mobility
Dimensions: 18.13″L x 10.63″W x 23.78″H
Age range description: All life stages

IRIS Airtight Food Storage Container – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our Amazon links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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Bel-Art (12) 500 ml Autoclavable Bottles – Yeast Rehydration, Sample Collection and More

(12) 500 mL Polypropylene Jars with 53 mm closures by Bel-Art Products

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

Narrow mouth lab bottle for substance control and containment
Polypropylene body for strength, thermal performance, solvent resistance, and for its ability to be sterilized and autoclaved; translucent for reduced light filtration while still allowing visual fluid monitoring
Boston round shape for applications that require a rounded body, short neck, and narrow mouth to store liquid samples, solvents, chemicals, and dry materials
Screw cap with deep square threads secures contents to help prevent spills and evaporation
Autoclavable for applications requiring sterilization

From HBF: Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application. Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application. Always read and follow manufacturer directions.

What are Other’s Saying? Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “yeast” – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Possible homebrew uses include: Refractometer and pH sample collection, yeast rehydration, yeast washing and slurry storage. Also an easy vessel for making and storing sanitized water.

I use these containers to collect samples and to aid with yeast rehydration. Check out Tip 1 on our Tips Page for more info on my process for yeast rehydration.

Bel-Art Precisionware Wide-Mouth 500ml (16oz) Autoclavable Polypropylene Bottles; Polypropylene Cap, 53mm Closure (Pack of 12) (F10632-0007) – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Compare: New offerings are regularly added – Search Amazon for “Polypropylene Lab Bottles” – Some things to look for – proper temp ratings, use of food safe materials and microwaveable.

This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our Amazon links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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