As far as glass being better than the Better Bottles, well glass can shatter and adds significant weight, plastic can be easily scratched if you are not careful cleaning the insides.
Thousands of people use glass carboys safely every year, it just depends on how careful you are.
I went with the Better Bottles, but I also have some health issues and they just made more sense for me.
Tom
Quote:
Originally Posted by somecallmetex
The kit I was looking at was actually from the same store, the Brewing Intermediate Kit w/Two 5 Gallon Glass Carboys ( glass because I have a sister in-law who is a doctor that has told me several times the dangers of plastic... she knows her stuff, but I think she's a little over paranoid). I couldn't tell if the second bottle was a spare so I could have two batches brewing at once or if it for an extra step in the brewing process. Is the intermediate kit the upgrade you were referring to, or is there an upgrade option somewhere I am not seeing.
Thanks for all the help so far. Does that mean the second carboy is just a spare then and not part of a more advanced brewing process? Do I need any equipment to sanitize everything (other than an extra bottle of Star San- 8 oz)? I'll worry about bottles for this in about 6 months
Also, all the pictures show people using a carboy cap, would you recommend this upgrade?
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadohman
Those were the types I was thinking about.
As far as glass being better than the Better Bottles, well glass can shatter and adds significant weight, plastic can be easily scratched if you are not careful cleaning the insides.
Thousands of people use glass carboys safely every year, it just depends on how careful you are.
I went with the Better Bottles, but I also have some health issues and they just made more sense for me.
The second carboy is for secondary "fermentation". Really it is for clarifying (some don't believe it actually does this) or if you want to age it for long periods of time off the yeast, or if you want to age it on oak or fruit. Those are just the basics, but for apfelwein, you don't need a secondary. Just make two batches. Are you sure one of them isn't bigger, like 6 or 6.5 gallons?
I am currently sipping on my first carbed bottle of apfelwein. It is good (3 months after bottling)
__________________
Marc Moberg
Assistant Winemaker/Cellar Manager
Inwood Estates Vineyards and Winery
1350 Manufacturing St. #209
Dallas, TX 75207
It says Two 5 Gallon Glass Carboys and one 6.5 Gallon Plastic Fermenter, though I think there is actually a second description of the same kit elsewhere on the site where they list it as one 6.5 galllon carboy and one 5 gallon carboy (I'm assuming it's supposed to be two five gallons since that's what the kit's title is). My assumption was that the plastic fermenter is the primary and the glass carboy is the secondary. The plan was to use the second carboy for apfelwein if it's there so I can be aging two batches at once, and to buy a third carboy for the apfelwein if both carboys are used for one batch of beer (planning on starting with Irish Red Ale). From what I hear it doesn't matter, I'll end up having have three dedicated to Edwort by the end of the year anyway )
Quote:
Originally Posted by WIP
The second carboy is for secondary "fermentation". Really it is for clarifying (some don't believe it actually does this) or if you want to age it for long periods of time off the yeast, or if you want to age it on oak or fruit. Those are just the basics, but for apfelwein, you don't need a secondary. Just make two batches. Are you sure one of them isn't bigger, like 6 or 6.5 gallons?
I am currently sipping on my first carbed bottle of apfelwein. It is good (3 months after bottling)
I do not know how well the Growlers hold pressure. I do have several bottles of Grolsch in the refrigerator that are 4.5 months old, testing for the long term. The “Pop” on opening started getting quieter at around 8 weeks and has continued to get quieter as time goes on, definitely less carbonation.
Thanks for all the help so far. Does that mean the second carboy is just a spare then and not part of a more advanced brewing process? Do I need any equipment to sanitize everything (other than an extra bottle of Star San- 8 oz)? I'll worry about bottles for this in about 6 months
)
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