Simple question.
Can I make BTO in a bucket or does it have to be a glass jar?
Thanks

For me, I have had better success making it in glass. Gets hotter.

Thanks

No problems making them in buckets. I spray paint them black. Here's three i keep on the side of the barn in the summer
I found glass great but just as hot if not hotter in black buckets. And the amount of glass jars I would need to do volume like this would be too much. These buckets have a out 3 1/2 gallons each in them

Dale those buckets are beautiful sir weldone

I make mine in 2 gallon clear plastic buckets. Put them in my greenhouse in the spring and there's plenty of oil by mid-July. I leave the rest for next year and get more oil. The greenhouse may not be as hot as setting the buckets out in direct sunlight or in a black plastic bag, but still pretty hot during the daytime and much warmer than outside at night, so the average daily temperature of the contents is comparable to direct sunlight, with less fluctuations which is probably a good thing for the bacteria and enzymes doing the job.


The lid must be closed tight to keep maggots away and to maintain positive gas pressure because any air circulation will start oxidizing the surface layer and add a rancid note to the oil, and I like a clear smell.

An added bonus is the smell (which is not really intense or offensive) attracts some flies into the greenhouse and unbeknownst to many flies are excellent pollinators, and they are much more motivated to get into the greenhouse than bees.




I store the finished product in smaller glass jars or bottles.

I don't ruin bucket lids by venting the top. When you do that you are not able to stack your buckets. There is not much gas off with BTO production. If you feel the need to vent ,do so just down the side wall of the bucket about an inch from the top. Those wine vents don't last too long, as the UV breaks them down pretty quick.

The small gap you have between the bucket support rings just below the top of the bucket would be the best spot. Just leave enough room to fasten your lid securely.

We use tire valve stems for all of our bucket containers that are in need of venting. Remove the interior stem, drill a tiny 1/8th inch hole in the cap and put it back on tightly. No flies can enter. You need a 1/2" paddle drill to provide the mounting hole for the rubber tire stem to seat in.

2 things,
1- I saw someone using a coffee filter in place of the lid on a mason jar. I'm guessing that's a no go as mentioned above air flow starts the oxidation.
2- would those little air bubbler tips(for an aquarium) work the same way the tire valve stem is used?
Thanks

The Tire valve system is one and done. Will last forever and can be removed from a bad or cracked bucket and reused. Just follow my instructions. We dont have the room to have hundreds of buckets and containers sitting around at ground level. We must be able to stack our buckets to conserve space in our facility. The old school way of drilling the top of a container becomes out dated once you get beyond a few jars and buckets.

I just use the lids for 5 gallon buckets that dont have o-rings, they dont let the flies in and dont seal tight enough to hold any amount of pressure.

We're about to go in the negatives again, could I start now or is it more of a summertime making. I know it would do better in the heat but I'm just a little anxious to make some. If it helps I can maybe leave it in the water shed I try to keep that bout 40 so the pump doesn't freeze.

You will need heat exposure in excess of 80 to 120 degrees generated to get any oil releasing. I have done some on the side of our wood stove in years past when I needed some in a pinch. It doesn't have much odor in my experience.