i just purchased a 165 qt igloo cooler from costco because i thought i could use it as a fermentation chamber for my two 6 gallon better bottles during the warmer months coming up. i can fit two bottles next to each other easily and i can fit the bottles in vertically as well, however i only have about a quarter inch left on top so i obviously can't add an airlock or blowoff tube.
i think all i really need is about an inch on top if i use a carboy cap and a blowoff tube. my only options i think are to make my carboy shorter or to make the cooler bigger. making the cooler bigger would mean i'd have to cut into the top or bottom in the places where the carboy touches and simply make the walls thinner in those areas. i guess that might work, but i think that might affect the ability of the cooler to...cool. my other option would be to cut about an inch off the top of the better bottle. this seems possible to me but i'm really not sure what to expect with those things. id also feel better about cutting into a $25 bottle rather than my $80 cooler.
Can I cut the top off my better bottle? Is there a right way to do this? What do I need to look out for? Are there any other ways to make this chamber work using my better bottles?
I wouldn't cut a better bottle! They are way to expensive to do that, in my opinion. I'm not sure exactly what you're asking though. I use a cooler for my "lagerator" and cooling chamber. But it's not big enough, so I took off the lid and made a new lid out of insulation foam, and cut a hole in it.
Like this:
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Any way to add a collar to the cooler? Maybe take the lid off, add syrofoam around the top of the box to build it up enough to squeeze a blow-off tube in there. You'd probably have to leave the lid separate - couldn't use the hinges anymore.
I wouldn't cut a better bottle! They are way to expensive to do that, in my opinion. I'm not sure exactly what you're asking though. I use a cooler for my "lagerator" and cooling chamber. But it's not big enough, so I took off the lid and made a new lid out of insulation foam, and cut a hole in it.
Like this:
+1 Good answer!! And you get the bonus of being able to see the airlock without opening the cooler
And you get the bonus of being able to see the airlock without opening the cooler
Oh shizz, somebody hide revvy!
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In process- Jamil's 70/-, Ken schramm's vanilla mead, lemon wine Kegged-Flemings Finest IPA
Planning- Black Butte Porter
Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Clay
Last night, as I cleaned out four carboys, two corney kegs and lots of lines, my 12 year old daughter noted: "Dad, it looks like brewing beer is mostly about washing dishes."
I wouldn't cut a better bottle! They are way to expensive to do that, in my opinion. I'm not sure exactly what you're asking though. I use a cooler for my "lagerator" and cooling chamber. But it's not big enough, so I took off the lid and made a new lid out of insulation foam, and cut a hole in it.
Like this:
i understand not wanting to cut it because its expensive, but i mean...what would the consequences of cutting it REALLY be? the cooler is 3 times as expensive as a better bottle and i'd have to take the hinged cover off and then buy some insulation to make something like that picture. the cooler in that picture is far from being able to fit a carboy so i definitely think they did the right thing with it...but mine is sooo close.
I would just seal the BB with saran wrap or aluminum foil and a rubber band. Or a balloon with a pin prick hole will also function as an airlock. Unless you are doing some extended aging, good enough for me.
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nothing, but judging your brews by the airlock is a sore subject here on the forum
__________________
In process- Jamil's 70/-, Ken schramm's vanilla mead, lemon wine Kegged-Flemings Finest IPA
Planning- Black Butte Porter
Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Clay
Last night, as I cleaned out four carboys, two corney kegs and lots of lines, my 12 year old daughter noted: "Dad, it looks like brewing beer is mostly about washing dishes."
cut off top of better bottle?
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