If you're new to homebrewing, one of the first things you'll notice is that recipes and starter kits often mention different types of fermenters.
Some winemakers swear by demijohns. Beer brewers often use fermentation buckets. Then you'll see cider makers using both.
It's enough to leave many beginners wondering which one they actually need.
The truth is that both demijohns and fermentation buckets have an important place in homebrewing. They're simply designed for different stages of the process.
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each will help you choose the right equipment and avoid making your next batch more difficult than it needs to be.
In this guide we'll compare demijohns and fermentation buckets, explain when to use each and help you decide which option is best for your style of brewing.
What Is a Demijohn?
A demijohn is a glass or plastic fermentation vessel traditionally used for wine making, cider making, mead and country wines.
Most homebrew demijohns hold around one gallon (4.5 litres), although larger versions are also available.
Their narrow neck is one of their biggest advantages.
Once fitted with a bung and airlock, only a very small surface area of the liquid is exposed to oxygen. This makes demijohns particularly useful for ageing and secondary fermentation.
You'll commonly see demijohns used for:
- Elderflower wine
- Fruit wines
- Country wines
- Mead
- Small-batch cider making
Many home winemakers own multiple demijohns so they can experiment with different recipes at the same time.
What Is a Fermentation Bucket?
A fermentation bucket is a larger vessel designed for primary fermentation.
Most homebrew fermentation buckets hold between 23 and 30 litres, making them ideal for standard beer kit and cider kit batches.
Unlike a demijohn, a fermentation bucket has a wide opening and plenty of headspace.
This extra space is important because primary fermentation can be vigorous. Foam, known as krausen in beer brewing, can quickly build up and overflow if the vessel is too small.
Fermentation buckets are commonly used for:
- Beer kits
- All-grain brewing
- Cider kits
- Large batches of wine
- Primary fermentation of fruit wines
For many beginners, a fermentation bucket is the first piece of brewing equipment they purchase.
Why Do Many Homebrewers Use Both?
This is where the confusion often starts.
Beginners sometimes assume they need to choose between a demijohn and a fermentation bucket.
In reality, many experienced brewers use both.
A typical country wine recipe provides a good example.
The fruit, flowers or juice may initially be fermented in a bucket where there's plenty of room for ingredients, stirring and vigorous fermentation.
Once primary fermentation is complete, the wine is transferred into a demijohn for clearing and maturation.
The same approach is often used when making cider from fresh fruit.
Rather than competing with each other, the two vessels often work together as part of the same process.
Demijohn vs Fermentation Bucket: The Key Differences
While both vessels can be used for fermentation, they excel in different situations.
Choosing the right option often comes down to what you're making and which stage of the process you're at.
Oxygen Exposure
One of the biggest advantages of a demijohn is its narrow neck.
Once fitted with a bung and airlock, very little liquid is exposed to air. This makes demijohns ideal for ageing wine, cider and mead where protection from oxidation is important.
Fermentation buckets have a much larger surface area. While this isn't usually a problem during active fermentation, they're generally less suitable for long-term storage once fermentation has finished.
Winner: Demijohn
Ease of Cleaning
This is where fermentation buckets often come out on top.
The wide opening provides easy access for cleaning, sanitising and inspecting the vessel.
Demijohns can be more challenging, particularly after fermenting fruit wines where sediment and fruit pulp may stick to the inside.
Most winemakers eventually invest in a demijohn brush for this reason.
Winner: Fermentation Bucket
Monitoring Your Brew
Glass demijohns offer a clear view of what's happening inside.
You can easily monitor fermentation activity, sediment levels and the clearing process without opening the vessel.
Many homebrewers enjoy watching their wine or cider develop over time.
With a standard opaque fermentation bucket, you'll need to rely more on hydrometer readings and airlock activity.
Winner: Demijohn
Handling Large Batches
If you're brewing a standard 40-pint beer kit or cider kit, a fermentation bucket is the obvious choice.
Trying to ferment that volume in individual demijohns quickly becomes impractical.
Buckets provide the capacity and headspace needed for larger batches.
Winner: Fermentation Bucket
Cost
Both options are relatively affordable, but fermentation buckets usually provide more capacity for the money.
A single bucket can handle a full batch of beer or cider, whereas multiple demijohns may be required to achieve the same volume.
That said, demijohns remain one of the most cost-effective pieces of equipment for small-batch wine making.
Winner: Tie
Which Is Better for Wine Making?
For most wine makers, the answer is both.
Many fruit wine and country wine recipes begin in a fermentation bucket.
The extra space allows ingredients to be mixed easily and provides room for vigorous fermentation.
Once primary fermentation slows down, the wine is transferred into a demijohn for clearing and maturation.
This approach combines the advantages of both vessels.
If you're making elderflower wine, blackberry wine or other country wines, you'll often find yourself using a bucket at the start and a demijohn at the end.
Which Is Better for Cider Making?
The answer depends on batch size.
If you're making a standard cider kit, a fermentation bucket is normally the most practical choice.
For small experimental batches, fruit ciders or traditional cider projects, demijohns can work extremely well.
Many cidermakers use demijohns when testing new recipes before committing to larger batches.
Which Is Better for Beer Brewing?
For the majority of homebrewers, a fermentation bucket is the clear winner.
Beer fermentation is often vigorous and benefits from plenty of headspace.
Standard beer kit batches are also much larger than the typical capacity of a single demijohn.
While some brewers use glass carboys or larger demijohn-style vessels for secondary fermentation, most beer kits are fermented entirely within a bucket or dedicated fermenter.
If you're brewing beer for the first time, a quality fermentation bucket will usually be the most versatile and beginner-friendly option. Browse our Beer Starter Kits to get everything you need in one go.
Do Beginners Need Both a Demijohn and a Fermentation Bucket?
Not necessarily.
If you're brewing beer kits, a fermentation bucket will usually be all you need to get started.
Most beer kits are designed to ferment entirely within a bucket before bottling or kegging.
If you're making wine, mead or country wines, a demijohn is often considered essential because it provides the ideal environment for clearing and maturation.
Many homebrewers gradually build their equipment collection over time.
It's perfectly normal to start with a single vessel and add additional equipment as your interests expand.
The important thing is choosing equipment that matches what you actually want to make.
Glass vs Plastic Demijohns
Traditionally, demijohns were made from glass.
Glass remains extremely popular because it's easy to clean, doesn't scratch easily and allows you to clearly see what's happening inside.
Many winemakers still prefer glass for long-term maturation.
Plastic demijohns have become increasingly popular in recent years.
They're lighter, easier to handle and less likely to break if accidentally dropped.
For many beginners, plastic offers a practical and cost-effective alternative.
Ultimately, both can produce excellent results when properly cleaned and sanitised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ferment wine entirely in a demijohn?
Yes.
Many small-batch wine recipes are designed specifically for demijohn fermentation.
However, recipes containing large amounts of fruit or vigorous fermentation often benefit from starting in a bucket before being transferred to a demijohn.
Can I ferment beer in a demijohn?
You can, but it's not usually the most practical option.
Beer fermentation can be highly active and requires adequate headspace.
For standard beer kit batches, a fermentation bucket is normally the better choice.
How many demijohns do I need?
That depends on how much wine or cider you plan to make.
Many home winemakers start with one or two demijohns before gradually expanding their collection as they begin experimenting with different recipes.
Do I need an airlock on both?
Yes.
Whether you're using a demijohn or a fermentation bucket, an airlock helps allow carbon dioxide to escape while preventing unwanted contaminants from entering the vessel.
Which is best for elderflower wine?
Most elderflower wine recipes use both.
The flowers are often steeped and initially fermented in a bucket before the wine is transferred into a demijohn for maturation and clearing.
This takes advantage of the strengths of each vessel.
Final Thoughts
The question isn't really whether a demijohn is better than a fermentation bucket.
It's whether you're using the right tool for the job.
Fermentation buckets excel during primary fermentation, particularly when making beer kits, cider kits and larger batches of wine.
Demijohns shine during secondary fermentation, ageing and small-batch wine making where protection from oxygen becomes increasingly important.
That's why many experienced homebrewers use both.
Rather than competing against each other, they often form part of the same brewing process.
If you're just starting out, focus on the type of drink you want to make and choose equipment that supports that goal. As your brewing experience grows, you'll quickly discover why so many homebrewers keep both vessels in their brewery.
Browse our range of Demijohns & Carboys, Fermentation Vessels, Cider Starter Kits and Beer Starter Kits to build the perfect setup for your next batch.