Best Brewing & Fermentation Carboys of 2025

Rebecca Cantu Avatar
Rebecca Cantu
Last Updated: Jan 15, 2025

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Brewing and fermentation carboys are essential tools for homebrewers and winemakers. These large, glass containers are perfect for fermenting and storing beer, wine, cider, mead, and other fermented beverages. With a capacity of up to 6 gallons, carboys allow for a larger batch size and are easy to clean and sanitize. They also come with airtight lids that prevent oxygen from entering the container during fermentation, ensuring a better flavor and longer shelf life for the finished product. Whether you're a seasoned brewer or just starting out, brewing and fermentation carboys are a must-have for any homebrew setup.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

1 Gallon Glass Fermenting Jug Set with Accessories Cover #TOP 1
1 Gallon Glass Fermenting Jug Set with Accessories
ftb score rating icon 9.9
FastRack 3 Gallon Glass Carboy Cover #TOP 2
FastRack 3 Gallon Glass Carboy
ftb score rating icon 9.8
1 Gallon Glass Fermenting Jug with Handle and Accessories Cover #TOP 3
1 Gallon Glass Fermenting Jug with Handle and Accessories
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Brewing & Fermentation Carboys

#TOP 1

1 Gallon Glass Fermenting Jug Set with Accessories

1G-38-6B-4-BR
Clear
1 Gallon Glass Fermenting Jug Set with Accessories Cover
North Mountain Supply 1 Gallon Glass Fermenting Jug with Handle, 6.5 Rubber Stopper, 6-Bubble Airlock, Black Plastic Lid - Set of 4 - with Cleaning Brush

The 1 Gallon Glass Fermenting Jug Set comes with a handle, 6.5 rubber stopper, 6-bubble airlock, black plastic lid, and a cleaning brush. Made in the USA, it is perfect for brewing beer, wine, kombucha and more. It's also great for making a large yeast starter, experimenting with fruit flavors, or storing sanitizer solution.

What We Like
High-quality glass material
Well-packaged for delivery
Includes airlocks and stoppers
Great for home brewing
Good value for price
What We Don't Like
Missing components in some orders
#TOP 2

FastRack 3 Gallon Glass Carboy

FE310
Clear
384 Ounces
FastRack 3 Gallon Glass Carboy Cover
FastRack 3 Gallon Italian Glass Carboy Clear | Food Grade, Leak-Proof for fermentation, brewing & storage | 3 Gallon Fermenter | Large Glass Carboy for Home Brewing, Kombucha, Wine and Beer | 1 Pack

The FastRack Glass Carboy is made from high-quality Italian glass, ensuring durability and a refined bottle opening that accommodates a #7 stopper. It’s perfect for various fermentation needs, whether you’re brewing beer or making wine. The eco-friendly design allows for multiple uses, significantly reducing plastic waste. Additionally, its wide mouth makes cleaning and ingredient transfer a breeze, while the airtight seal keeps your brew safe from contaminants, promoting a successful fermentation process. This carboy is an excellent investment for both novice and experienced brewers.

What We Like
Thick, durable glass
Beautiful design
Perfect size and weight
Easy to use
Fast shipping
What We Don't Like
Some have arrived cracked
May slide in crockery
#TOP 3

1 Gallon Glass Fermenting Jug with Handle and Accessories

1G-38-ST-TB-1
Clear
128 Ounces
1 Gallon Glass Fermenting Jug with Handle and Accessories Cover
North Mountain Supply - 1G-38-ST-TB-1 1 Gallon Glass Fermenting Jug with Handle, 6.5 Rubber Stopper, Twin Bubble Airlock, Black Plastic Lid (Set of 1)

The North Mountain Supply 1 Gallon Glass Fermenting Jug with Handle, Rubber Stopper, Twin Bubble Airlock, and Black Plastic Lid is an essential tool for home brewing and fermenting beer, wine, kombucha, and more. This jug is perfect for experimenting with fruit flavors in your wine or beer, making a large yeast starter, or storing sanitizer solution. It is made in the USA and covered under a 30-day hassle-free replacement program in case of damage or defects.

What We Like
Durable construction
Perfect for making mead
Great price
Suitable for small batches
Effective fermentation process
What We Don't Like
Stopper size issue
Airlock design may vary
#TOP 4

North Mountain Supply 5 Gallon Vented Plastic Hedpak/Carboy

North Mountain Supply 5 Gallon Vented Plastic Hedpak/Carboy Cover
North Mountain Supply 5 Gallon Vented Plastic Hedpak/Carboy

The North Mountain Supply Carboy is a 5-gallon vented plastic container that is perfect for brewing and fermentation. It is made of semi-rigid, high-density polyethylene and features a molded top handle, bottom finger grips, and a large 70 mm screw cap opening. The handle has a special venting cap that allows smooth product flow while dispensing, preventing "chugging." This carboy meets FDA requirements for water storage and is BPA-free and food grade. With its easy lifting and fast filling and pouring capabilities, the North Mountain Supply Carboy is a convenient and reliable choice for all your brewing and fermentation needs.

What We Like
High transparency
Heavy-duty construction
Wide mouth opening
Excellent for various uses
Convenient handle
What We Don't Like
Cover difficult to open
#TOP 5

Vintage Shop Carboy5 Clear

PET5
Clear
5 Gallon
Vintage Shop Carboy5 Clear Cover
Vintage Shop Carboy5 5 Gallon Plastic Carboy, Clear

Introducing Vintage Shop 5 Gal Carboy, perfect for your brewing and fermentation needs. Crafted from PET food grade plastic, this carboy ensures your beverages remain free from any unwanted taste or odor. Its stain-resistant feature makes cleaning a breeze, while the flat side wall design without ribs allows for easy handling and storage. Say goodbye to worries about lingering flavors or difficult cleaning - Vintage Shop 5 Gal Carboy has got you covered.

What We Like
Lightweight and sturdy
Great for wine making
Easy to clean
Clear and smooth design
Accurate volume measurement
What We Don't Like
Handling can be tricky
#TOP 6

FastRack 5 Gallon Glass Carboy

FE320
FastRack 5 Gallon Glass Carboy Cover
FastRack 5 Gallon Glass Carboy | Made with Italian Glass | Clear | Food Grade for wine making, fermentation & storage | Home Brewing Kit | Carboy 5 Gallon Fermenter | #7 stopper not included

The FastRack Glass Carboy is made from premium Italian glass, ensuring durability and a refined opening that fits a #7 stopper. Ideal for both homebrewers and winemakers, this versatile carboy is perfect for various fermentation processes. Its sustainable design allows you to reuse it multiple times, helping to reduce waste. Cleaning and transferring ingredients is a breeze thanks to its wide mouth, while the airtight seal keeps your brew safe from contaminants, allowing for an undisturbed fermentation experience.

What We Like
Thick, sturdy glass
Long-lasting freshness
High value for the money
Intact despite poor packaging
Good for storing distilled water
What We Don't Like
Heavy when filled
US gallons, not Imperial
#TOP 7

FastRack HOZQ8-1259 7 Gallon Carboy

B01BVSL134
Multicolor
7 Gallon
FastRack HOZQ8-1259 7 Gallon Carboy Cover
Vintage Shop - HOZQ8-1259 7 gal Fermonster Wide Mouth Carboy With #10 Drilled Stopper and Twin Bubble Airlock

The FastRack 7 Gallon Carboy is designed for those who want a reliable primary fermenter. Its 7-gallon capacity allows you to brew larger batches, perfect for home brewing enthusiasts. The carboy features a wide 4-inch mouth, making it easier for you to fill and clean. Additionally, it comes with a #10 drilled stopper, ensuring a tight seal to prevent any unwanted air from entering. The included twin bubble airlock is essential for monitoring fermentation, allowing you to see the bubbles and know that everything is working smoothly. This setup provides convenience and peace of mind for your brewing process.

What We Like
Lightweight and easy to clean
Transparent for better visibility
Great for fermentation
Durable and long-lasting
Responsive customer support
What We Don't Like
Thin walls may dent easily
Lid can be hard to open
#TOP 8

FastRack 6 Gallon Glass Carboy

FE325
FastRack 6 Gallon Glass Carboy Cover
FastRack 6 Gallon Glass Carboy | Made with Italian Glass | Clear | Food Grade for Wine Making, Fermentation & Storage | Home Brewing Kit | Glass Carboy 6 Gallon Fermenter | #7 Stopper not Included

The FastRack Glass Carboy is crafted from high-quality Italian glass, making it a reliable choice for your brewing or winemaking needs. Its refined opening fits a #7 stopper, ensuring a secure seal that protects your fermentation from contaminants. The wide mouth design simplifies cleaning and transferring ingredients, saving you time and effort. Plus, this carboy is a sustainable option, as it can be reused multiple times, helping you reduce waste and your environmental impact. With this carboy, you can enjoy a hassle-free brewing experience.

What We Like
Sturdy glass construction
Beautiful design
Perfect for home dispensers
Eliminates plastic leaching
Great for winemaking
What We Don't Like
Tube doesn't reach bottom
#TOP 9

North Mountain Supply 3 Gallon Glass Carboy Set

3GCB-2Bungs-6Airlock
North Mountain Supply 3 Gallon Glass Carboy Set Cover
North Mountain Supply 3 Gallon Premium Italian Glass Carboy Fermenting Jug - with Drilled & Undrilled Rubber Stoppers and 6-Bubble Airlock

The North Mountain Supply Carboy is a 3-gallon Italian glass fermenting jug that includes both drilled and undrilled rubber stoppers along with a 6-bubble airlock. This set is perfect for those looking to brew large batches of beer or wine with ease. The included tools simplify the brewing process, making it enjoyable and creative for you. Additionally, this versatile carboy can be used for pickling, sauce making, or even experimenting with new flavors. Unlike some cheaper options, this premium carboy is made in Italy, ensuring reliability and durability for your fermentation needs.

What We Like
Spacious 3-gallon capacity
Great for storing milk
Quality glassware experience
Good customer service response
What We Don't Like
Occasional defects reported
Issues with airtight seal
#TOP 10

North Mountain Supply 5 Gallon Vented Plastic Hedpak/Carboy

HP-FC-5G
Multi
5 Gallon
North Mountain Supply 5 Gallon Vented Plastic Hedpak/Carboy Cover
North Mountain Supply 5 Gallon Vented Plastic Hedpak/Carboy - With Cap & Faucet

The North Mountain Supply 5 Gallon Vented Plastic Hedpak/Carboy is designed with a venting cap for smooth product flow and prevents "chugging". Its semi-rigid, high density polyethylene with a molded top handle, bottom finger grips, and a large 70 mm screw cap opening make it easy to lift, fill, and pour. It is BPA free and food grade, meeting FDA requirements for water storage. Included with the Hedpak is a vented faucet for quick and easy liquid dispensing.

What We Like
Durable and reliable performance
Easy dispensing with faucet
Good value for the price
Compact and portable design
Multi-purpose usage
What We Don't Like
Spout can be stiff to operate
Potential for leakage
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is a carboy better than a bucket for fermenting beer?

Both fermentation buckets and carboys work well for fermenting beer, but they have different purposes. Buckets are typically used for primary fermentation, while carboys are better suited for secondary fermentation and aging.

2. How long to ferment beer in carboy?

The duration of fermentation in a carboy can vary depending on the type of beer. Ales generally ferment in 2-5 days, but it is recommended to wait at least 2 weeks for optimal results before transferring to bottles or kegs. Lagers, on the other hand, require 2-3 weeks of fermentation, followed by additional weeks or even months for conditioning.

3. Can I use a 5 gallon carboy for primary fermentation?

A 5-gallon carboy may not be suitable for fermenting 5 gallons of beer due to the need for additional headspace. It is recommended to use a larger carboy or a fermentation vessel with a blowoff assembly to accommodate the fermentation process properly.

4. Can I use a 5 gallon water jug as a carboy?

In the United States, 5-gallon water jugs marked with recycling symbol #1 (PET/PETE) are safe to use as carboys for fermentation purposes.

5. Is it better to ferment beer in glass or plastic?

Glass carboys are preferred for fermentation as they are less permeable to oxygen, ensuring the beer stays fresh during secondary fermentation. Glass carboys are also easier to clean and less prone to scratching compared to plastic carboys or buckets.

6. How long can beer sit after fermentation?

It is generally recommended to bottle your beer within 24 days after fermentation. While beer can sit longer, the risk of infection and off-flavors increases with time. To maintain the quality of your beer, it is advisable to bottle it within the 24-day timeframe.

7. What happens if you ferment beer too long?

Leaving beer on the yeast cake for an extended period can lead to off-flavors, particularly from autolysis, which produces yeasty, meaty, or rubbery flavors. While some brewers have left beer on the yeast for several months without issues, it is generally advised to avoid excessively long fermentation times to prevent undesirable flavors.

Editor's Notes

During our brewing & fermentation carboy research, we found 24 brewing & fermentation carboy products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 19,594 customer reviews through our big data system to write the brewing & fermentation carboys list. We found that most customers choose brewing & fermentation carboys with an average price of $33.95.

The brewing & fermentation carboys are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of brewing & fermentation carboys, including North Mountain Supply, FastRack, Vintage Shop. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Rebecca Cantu Avatar

Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.