Help - I need your opinion (bigger carboys?) - Page 3

fratermus · 07-23-2008, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austinhomebrew

I always thought it was a good idea to put the carboy where you want it and then fill it up so you don't have to move it before you transfer or bottle. Lets say you put the carboy wher you want it so that moving it isn't an issue. What size would be the ideal size for a glass carboy as a primary fermenter?

I am no fanboi of Better Bottles[0], but if someone showed me a 8gal glass carboy and a 8gal BB I'd pick the BB. If it was between a 8gal glass and 8gal bucket I'd take the bucket.

8gal of glass trips my sensors about what's a good idea and what's not.

I do most of my primary work in 5gal glass carboys[1] in a fridge with a blowoff. I hear people talking about losing a lot of beer but if I lost more than a quart I'd be surprised. And hey, maybe I run with the expel the braun hefe crowd. I know it's not a popular position but it's my beer and I do what I think is best for it.

frater mus
[0] I own a BB and rarely use it unless my 5gal glass is full.
[1] perhaps just out of force of habit.

**olllllo** · 07-23-2008, 04:26 AM

Make one of these:

Put a hole in the lid.
I'd love to ferment in that.

fifelee · 07-23-2008, 04:32 AM

If you are considering taking on the cost of custom molds, lets think out of the box. How about a glass conical? You would also need some kind of stand and a valve, but I bet you could make them much cheaper than SS.

Redweasel · 07-23-2008, 04:32 AM

Forrest I actualy like the idea of an 8 gallon amber carboy. No blow off for 5 gallons would be sweet. I don't move mine around much though. Then again what is 2.5 lbs...nothing.

**BlindLemonLars** · 07-23-2008, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fingers

Forrest, I like the idea of the larger carboy but I wouldn't want it anything other than clear. I like to see what's going on so I just keep it out of the light. Even a brown carboy will skunk eventually if left in UV.

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.

EvilTOJ · 07-23-2008, 08:47 AM

I live in a space slightly bigger than a minimum security prison cell, so I have to do a lot of shuffling of brewery related items. The carboy itself isn't the weight I'd be concerned about, it's the liquid inside that's the problem.

As for me, I have some clear carboys and some blue ones, and each work fine for me so color isn't a consideration. 7 gallon carboys would be perfect, but I would buy an 8 gallon one. Of course, knowing me I'd start making 7 gallon batches.

**AnOldUR** · 07-23-2008, 10:27 AM

7 ½ to 8 would be nice, but height would be a consideration. My fermenator doesn’t have a lot of room above the airlock for something taller. And make mine clear for all the reasons previously stated.

BrewBob · 07-23-2008, 07:32 PM

I would love 8 gallon glass carboys. I dont think that a 6.5 is all that heavy and 2.5 pounds heavier wouldn't even be very noticable.

I wouldn't want it to be amber though, i like to see whats brewing and keep it squeaky clean (which is why the crowd that brews only in glass does so, right?).

MX1 · 07-23-2008, 07:41 PM

I am a new guy here, but I like the idea of a 8 gal plastic. Clear/amber either way I would end up with at least 4 if you made them.

Also, It wold be cheaper to ship to my APO....

Tim

Wrathbone · 07-23-2008, 08:01 PM

I think plastic would be a good idea - I see that BB has 3 gallons in a square shape, what about an 8 gallon, plastic, squarish fermentor? With the corners slightly curved? That would use space much more efficiently, by having the width the same but keeping the height down.

EDIT: With a big screw top with a gasket inside it, and a hole for an airlock. That way the hole isn't so small, so you could get your arm in there to clean if needed.