[Scott]

Has anyoneever had a problem with the inside bottom along the outer edge of the fermenation bucket (w/spigot) cracking?The crackingdidn't go all the way through but half thethickness of the plastic,very lucky the whole bottom didn't fall off had some Carmenare in it. The bucket was only 2 years old, did have a brew belt on this time to keep the must @ 70.


Time to go bucketshopping!

[tdeyette]

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Scott,


Personallyhave never had this happen. But I do seem to recall that this has happened in the past to some folks. Some have actually had the bottom fall out. Perhaps a bad batch of buckets?

I would definitely replace it.

[Dean]

If the bucket was made by Ropak, they did have a bad run a few years ago.

[Runningwolf]

I returned three of them this summer that was just starting to show signs of small cracks. They had no problem returning them as LD Carlson told them they would credit them.

[DancerMan]

Originally Posted by tdeyette

</span>


Scott,</span>


Personallyhave never had this happen. But I do seem to recall that this has happened in the past to some folks. Some have actually had the bottom fall out. Perhaps a bad batch of buckets?
</span>
I would definitely replace it.</span>

</span>

</span>

I also have heard of this happening.

If it were me, I wouldn't want to try and pick up that bucket if it is filled with must/wine. Six gallons of wine dumped straight on the floor would make a real mess!!!

[Scott]

So not just me then (that is how my luck goes). Will have to look and see who the manufacturer was. Save the spigot and it will now go into retirement.


Thanks for the replies

[Tom]

Yes all true. But I thought it was the bottom having the problem bot by the spigot.

[ttortorice]

Lots of talk in the past on other forums about this issue.
http://www.rjspagnols.com/en/ropak-fermenter-failure.aspx
http://www.winemakingtalk.com/forum/f3/plastic-primary-fermentaion-bucket-fail-7384/

Ropak http://www.ropak.com/contact.html

I now hold mine up to the light before I fill it with new juice to look for cracks. I have also stopped using the handle to lift a full bucket, bends the bucket out of shape a bit and may lead to bucket fatigue.
Good luck.

[Bartman]

Man, I hate a bad case of "bucket fatigue".

[Wade E]

Ive had 4 buckets for 6 years now. Its about time I start changing them out and will go with all 10's this time around.