Better Bottle failure- Things learned.

flyangler18 · 01-10-2009, 07:44 PM

I am starting this thread to draw attention to one potential drawback concerning the Better Bottle and relate an experience that I had. As we all know, the bottom of the Better Bottle flexes when you attempt to move when full.

From my earlier thread:

Quote:

I had two BBs soaking with hot (110-120°) water and Oxyclean in preparation for a brewday this morning that got derailed anyway due to my wife coming down with a doozy of a stomach bug. But I digress.

As I was in the basement early this morning swapping out some laundry, I noticed that the floor around the BBs was quite wet. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that one of the BBs developed several splits(!) that were leaking pretty significantly. Doesn't look like impact damage, but that raises a point. Not sure how the splits would have developed, or if others have reported this kind of failure with their BBs.

I emailed the manufacturer to alert them of this failure and to solicit some advice in troubleshooting the cause:

Quote:

I thought I would
share an experience with you regarding a 6 gallon BB that I've been using
for the past 6 months. I was treating the inside of the BB to a hot
water(110-120 °)/Oxyclean soak in preparation for a brewday and I noticed a
substantial leak. The bottom of the BB developed several splits; I've
always been careful with my equipment and never abused it in anyway, so I'm
curious to see if others have reported BB failures under normal use.

The reply is listed below (with bold as my emphasis).

Quote:

Jason:

Every once in a blue moon a carboy develops a crack on the bottom. Nearly
all the time, it is because the user was rolling the carboy on its bottom
edge while it was full. The creates a tremendous amount of flexing in the
bottom panel.

We will help you out with a replacement. Give me your address and confirm
that the damaged carboy is a 6 gallon plain carboy. Also, would you do us a
favor and cut off a chunk of the bottom that shows the production date dial
and a cracked area. Mail it to my attention and the PO box shown below. Do
you recall if you rolled your carboy on its edge a lot?

Regards,

Walter

Prior to adopting use of a Venturi tube at the bottom of my siphon and an 02 oxygenation system, I would use the 'rock and roll' technique of aeration, tipping the carboy on its edge and using it as a pivot point- but haven't done so for a single batch in at least 3 months. As you see from the exchange above, doing this may result in carboy failure.

**Revvy** · 01-10-2009, 07:48 PM

Glad you posted this...I think we all have done the tip on one side of the bottom and aerate on that pivot point.

I use an 02 wand to aerate now, but I just realized to sanitize I STILL rock the BB to slosh sanitizer around...though I use only a couple of gallons and not a full loaded carboy, but still if there's anough wobble it looks like it acan weaken it..

Thanks

flyangler18 · 01-10-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revvy

Glad you posted this...I think we all have done the tip on one side of the bottom and aerate on that pivot point.

I use an 02 wand to aerate now, but I just realized to sanitize I STILL rock the BB to slosh sanitizer around...though I use only a couple of gallons and not a full loaded carboy, but still if there's anough wobble it looks like it acan weaken it..

Thanks

Yeah, it's important that this information be shared; I'm still a big proponent of the Better Bottle and their willingness to replace this carboy free of charge is just awesome.

Dave R · 01-10-2009, 08:28 PM

Also, use a milk crate to carry. Relieves all the pressure of the fluid pushing down on the bottom.

planenut · 01-10-2009, 08:33 PM

I always have mine in a milk crate and tip it up on edge and shake for aeration. I do this with both my glass and BB. I was mainly concerned about the glass but knowing it is important with the BB is good to know.

Thanks for pointing it out.

**drez77** · 01-10-2009, 08:38 PM

Wish I would have e-mailed them. I had recycled 2 that has the exact same cracks .. Oh well. I like the BB but they do have some drawbacks for me. Seems like the customer service is good though! Props to them

Mike

Panzermann · 01-10-2009, 08:51 PM

Wow, thanks for this tip. So far I have always picked it up and shook it around.

amishland · 01-11-2009, 01:43 AM

for sanitizing I now use a cap and roll it on its side, but used to use the pivot edge technique.

blowmax10 · 01-11-2009, 02:58 AM

Thanks - i just ordered 2 - I'm glad you posted this

**AZ_IPA** · 01-11-2009, 04:15 AM

That's why I use glass

seriously though, good post; and interesting...