Help - I need your opinion (bigger carboys?) - Page 10

ArcaneXor · 09-11-2008, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evan!

My 6.5's work fine---and Forrest, all you need to do is just promote use of your defoamer. It does wonders to prevent blowoffs...

True dat! (10 characters)

**Mutine Bullfrog** · 09-11-2008, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlindLemonLars

Absolutely. I ferment in the darkness of a chest freezer, skunking is not an issue. Not only do I want to see what's going on, I want to know that that my carboy is spotlessly clean. Make mine clear!

As long as I'm sounding off, I'd vote plastic as well. My 5 gallon glass carboys make me nervous enough, 8 gallons would really put the fear in me. I brew outside, ferment in the garage and bottle/keg in my kitchen...that's an awful lot of carboy carrying. My only misgivings about my 6 gallon better bottles is that they're not quite big enough. The additional headspace would be helpful, plus I could start making 6-7 gallon batches. These would be manageable with my current mashing/boiling gear, and I could keg 5 gallons and bottle the balance.

I agree. clear is the way to go.

cudaaar · 09-11-2008, 10:28 AM

For me, as a beginner, 5 gallon batches are all about experimentation. That said,

I like clear containers so I can see what is going on in a new recipe. It is much easier to see crud though clear walls when cleaning. If I had an amber container, I'd still cover it since fermentation usually takes more than a month (what's the UV transmission through amber?).

I like glass because it can be scrubbed and maintains a smooth surface. Since it is not oxygen permeable, it is ideal for long conditioning periods. I think the extra weight of a larger glass container is negligible compared to 5 gallons of beer. My only problem with glass is the safety issue. Is tempered glass a possible solution to this?

If the typical height and width of a 6 1/2 gal. carboy are maintained, but the container were square and with a stubby neck, how much extra volume do we get? Done this way, people (like me) wouldn't need to arrange a new fermentation chamber. Can anyone think of a benefit to a round container?

Side markings would be great.

An opening just large enough to get my arm in would be excellent. Two holes on the lid would be great-- one for a racking cane, the other to start a siphon with my co2 tank.

My $0.02

**conpewter** · 09-11-2008, 01:29 PM

I retract my suggestion for a tinted carboy if we can get an UV coating instead.

**eddie** · 09-12-2008, 11:09 PM

An 8 gallon glass carboy would weigh over thirteen pounds empty. Filled to capacity, it would weigh over eighty. That's a lot of weight to be hauling around even for a short while, not to mention lifting it to a higher plane for siphoning or even moving occasionally around the brewshop. Something to think about.

I realize that most of us wouldn't fill it to that level for the exception of cleaning but that's a lot of weight and glass to be managing.

6.5 is just about right for me but I like the idea of an amber carboy. If I could find a 6.5 gal amber carboy, I would buy it if the price was right.

Kelly. · 09-15-2008, 04:34 PM

+1 for 7.5 - 8 gallon vessel (prefer plastic better bottle style, but i would buy a glass one too)
+1 for etched measurements
+1 for being able to get your arm in it and clean it
+1 for clear

my ideal vessel would be a 8 gallon better bottle style plastic container, with a ~5-6 screw on lid, with holes for 2 air locks. racking port as an option.