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CBBaron · 07-23-2008, 08:22 PM

7-7.5 gal should be fine. Since I've found fermcap blowoffs have not been a problem.
I think clear or amber is fine. I'm going to keep the shirt on either but amber should still be visible enough to see dirt through.

However I will not be buying a glass version. A plastic one might be nice as a replacement for buckets but I have to move the carboys and I just don't trust myself with glass.

Craig

**Chriso** · 07-23-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrathbone

what about an 8 gallon, plastic, squarish fermentor? With the corners slightly curved? 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.

+1 to this! I've been eyeballing less-elegant versions of this on US Plastics, it'd be great if there were one oriented to homebrewing!

Glass sucks and I'll never use it. There I said it. BB's > Ale Pails > recycled wal-mart frosting buckets > an old shoe > glass.

**BlindLemonLars** · 07-23-2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrathbone

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.

I'm liking it! Seems to me that round carboys/bottles are far from ideal for fermenting, but came into favor simply because of their availability.

Another nice feature would be an accurate volume measurement scale, molded on the outside. (The inside of the container should remain smooth!) Imperial on one side of the scale, metric on the other. It needn't be too detailed, I think 1/4 gallon resolution would be more than adequate.

k1v1116 · 07-23-2008, 11:17 PM

I like glass fermenters, and the weight isnt an issue so 8 gallons of even larger is fine for me. the color makes no difference to me as long as I can see inside it, I always keep the carboy protected from light with a towel either wet or dry depending on the desired / ambient temps. the shape of the bottom is important, regular 6.5 gallon carboys have that slightly convex (from the interior) bottom and its not ideal for wracking off the trub. So I dont know what would be better but anything that concentrates the trub into a smaller area would be an improvement.

ArcaneXor · 07-23-2008, 11:49 PM

I am not interested in fermenting in glass (I like to keep my back and my arteries intact), and the 6 gallon Better Bottles work perfectly. With foam control widely available to homebrewers, blow-offs have become unnecessary relicts that belong in brewing museums.
I'd like to see 5 and 6-gal Better Bottles made out of UV-impermeable material, but I wouldn't pay a significant premium for it. A larger size (7 or 8 gallons) would be great for melomels and fruit beers that generate a significant amount of trub.

Something I would love to see (unrelated to fermentation vessels) is if you reformulated your recipe kits for late extract additions. It'd produce better beer and require less hops, so it's a win-win situation.

**Blue_Water** · 07-24-2008, 02:04 AM

+1 for volume indicators etched in.
+1 for having a big hole to enable inserting arm for cleaning (especially if it's plastic). Although this would require a unique stopper.
+1 for clear color to ensure cleanliness and to monitor the action
+1 for rubber bottom as an accessory

As far as size, 7G would be big enough for me.

Thanks,
Terry

**BigKahuna** · 07-24-2008, 03:21 AM

Forrest. I think maybe we need some clarification. I think you are working on providing a product that has been discontinued from Mexico. A product that is preferred by a lot of brewers. I think you are trying to get a Large GLASS carboy made for us. I think that is an awesome idea, and i thank you for it and will be first in line for a big Glass Carboy.

It seems that there is a need for something plastic, 7.5 - 8 gallons, easy to get you arm into, and and NOT GLASS. Maybe you should investigate something like that. Maybe something like this:

Sorry...Once a smart ass, Always a Smart ass.

BuffaloSabresBrewer · 07-24-2008, 03:30 AM

I for one like the original idea. A 8ish gallon amber glass carboy. I dont understand the problems people seem to have with weight. Just because its 8 gallons doesnt mean you need to brew 8! Its just a few pounds!
+1 to "inventing" a rubber bottom for this theoretical carboy and existing ones to cut down on the bumping carboys seem to take while in my care
+1 to it being amber. I dont see how people are concerned about not being able to clean because its amber. Hello! Beer bottles are amber! We clean those without much issue!

If possible I would say keep the base the same size as the old carboys so it would only take up a few inches vertically and still could fit in milk crates for those who transport that way.

**Chriso** · 07-24-2008, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigKahuna

I think you are trying to get a Large GLASS carboy made for us. I think that is an awesome idea, and i thank you for it and will be first in line for a big Glass Carboy.

And I'm just saying, sometimes it takes an unrelated change to bring about a positive change. What seems to some as unfortunate (Carboy manufacturer closing down, and reducing the supply of glass carboys) could actually be very fortunate (reducing the number of glass-related injuries and beer losses)!

I appreciate you're trying to step up and bring back the same thing that we used to buy, but isn't that a little like continuing to feed our oil addiction? Out of necessity is born innovation. Out of gas shortage is born alternative fuel. Out of glass carboy shortage is born.... perhaps The Next Big Thing?

I understand your point, Kahuna, he stipulated that he wanted to bring back a glass carboy. But We The Customers are who will buy the products, and he SAID he wanted our opinions. My opinion is I'd sooner quit brewing, or brew in scratched up, infected, pulled from the neighbor's dumpster 5-gallon plastic pails with a trash bag lining in them, than risk my life and limb on glass carboys. I'm not saying you can't still prefer glass. And I'm not calling you a smart arse at all.

Whether square or round, whether plastic or kryptonite, +1 to good, accurate volume ticks on the outside. I hate having to count 2-qt pitchers of water. I'd love to fill it to the 5 1/4 line and be done.

stever · 07-24-2008, 04:08 AM

I would go for a 7 or 7.5 gallon glass carboy but clear. I like to see what is going on and I can easily cover it from the sun with a jacket or towel.