Beginner's Q #3: Bottling in large containers\bottles

[Elijah]

The bottling process is a well documented one. However, it refers to "normal" bottles 330 - 500 cc (11-18 oz) - or at least this what I understand.

I got myself twenty 500cc flip cap bottles = 10 L
I figured that I'd usually drink 1-2 bottles of those when alone.

But when I have guests I would like to have a larger container.

I got a nice glass container (carboy) with the capacity of 5L - almost enough for the first 15 minutes of any family picnic. It has a regular screw cap and was used to store good Arak (now clean and odor-less).

The issue is as follows:
I am able to fix a champagne bottle cap to the carboy, but I am unsure how much to fill the carboy without ending up with a large beer bomb forcing my wife to divorce me. I am afraid that the rule of leaving 1" in regular bottles wouldn't give proper carbonation, and leaving more would risk a real explosion!

Any suggestions?

 

[webby45wr]

I don't think carboys are rated for pressure (at least at the level needed to carb boy). I wouldn't attempt this.

If you want to have a larger container, get yourself a corny keg. They are rated for pressure, can be naturally carbonated using corn sugar, and can be made portable. The DIY forum has numerous examples of jockey boxes and other ways of making a 5 gallon keg portable.