Blue glass carboy OK?

I've seen a blue glass carboy, supposedly made in the 70's, on sale recently. Is there any way to tell if it can handle the stresses of being a primary fermenter?

I think the only requirement is a clean/sanitary vessel. I see no problem with the color. It's glass so as long as you don't break it, it'll work fine.

As long as you dont shock it too much with hot wter while cleaning...
It might be too new to apply, but often the older ones are better qualety

Just like the clear ones, keep it in the dark. There is debate over if blue glass causes skunky beer more easily due to light spectrum. But again that's still in debate status.

I would think a clear carboy would allow ALL light to come through so while this may allow the wrong light to come through, so would a clear one. Cover it as you should with any carboy. As far as stresses, cleaning and carrying are the only real stresses it encounters and if you're careful (as you should be with any glass carboy) it should be fine.

tv187u said:

There is debate over if blue glass causes skunky beer more easily due to light spectrum. But again that's still in debate status.

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This makes no sense at all. Who's debating this?

My 9 years of brewing in glass carboy's skunked beer is the least of my worries. Kind in the same category of Hot side aeration. On the homebrew scale not an issue.

Cover it with a towel... Problem solved.

The blue color comes from it being leaded glass?? That might be my only concern.

There is nothing wrong with that carboy. There is some iron oxide in the mix that gave it the blue tint. A proper fermentation with an airlock would not produce pressure to cause problems. Glass is better than plastic any day of the week.

brewingmeister said:

Glass is better than plastic any day of the week.

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Please everyone ignore this statement. Please?

passedpawn said:

Please everyone ignore this statement. Please?

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Why? Because you believe everything the plastics council tells you?

brewingmeister said:

Why? Because you believe everything the plastics council tells you?

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I'm guessing hes not worried about the plastics council. Rather he likely has something like this in mind....

(photos of bloody ankle were here)






Pictures like those haunt my mind every time I pick up my carboy.

its not a grenade. its dangerous like your car is dangerous. be careful and take care of it and youll be fine.

brewingmeister said:

Why? Because you believe everything the plastics council tells you?

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No. I said that because it was not the topic and you were trying to change the subject entirely. And you did. Congrats.

swackattack said:

its not a grenade. its dangerous like your car is dangerous. be careful and take care of it and youll be fine.

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+1

Not everyone is a clutz and needs to be protected from them self.

bja said:

+1

Not everyone is a clutz and needs to be protected from them self.

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Did you forget this is an American forum?

I have a blue glass carboy that I have used several times. No worries.

janivar123 said:

Did you forget this is an American forum?

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You're right, what was I thinking.

Fid said:

.....

Pictures like those haunt my mind every time I pick up my carboy.

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SWEET JESUS!!! I'm going to go hug my better bottles right now, BRB....

I wasn't worried about the color of the glass EXCEPT for concern over what made it that color. I was also afraid that there may be some fragility associated with that particular kind of glass. Then, after reading the responses in this thread I realized I could buy a brand new 6 gallon better bottle for the same price and not have to worry about getting someone else's crap from Craigslist. So I did that. Thanks for the feedback.