Big Mouth Bubblers are dangerously thin

[wbarber69]

Italian glass only

 

[bondra76]

So, just because you broke one, that means that everyone else will too?

I was one of the biggest proponents of these things (see thread pages 1-13) until mine broke and I had to eat crow (see page 14). Unfortunately the glass is just super dang thin (see page 16 for photos).

Because I broke one of course doesn't mean everyone else will - but these aren't exactly isolated incidents; lots of folks in this thread have had these break even while simply moving the carboy while it's in their hands. To each their own - if they want to keep using these things, great for you. But people should be aware that these things are no thicker than the depth of a small quarter.

I bought one, liked it...bought three more.....one broke, I tried to send them all back to NB and they just gave me all my money back without even a return. That should also hint at the quality of these things when the distributor doesn't even want to put them back into inventory.

 

[bja]

I was one of the biggest proponents of these things (see thread pages 1-13) until mine broke and I had to eat crow (see page 14). Unfortunately the glass is just super dang thing (see page 16 for photos).

Because I broke one of course doesn't mean everyone else will - but these aren't exactly isolated incidents; lots of folks in this thread have had these break even while simply moving the carboy while it's in their hands. To each their own - if they want to keep using these things, great for you. But people should be aware that these things are no thicker than the depth of a small quarter.

I bought one, liked it...bought three more.....one broke, I tried to send them all back to NB and they just gave me all my money back without even a return. That should also hint at the quality of these things when the distributor doesn't even want to put them back into inventory.

Are you talking about Bubblers or carboys? Most carboys don't have the issues that the Bubblers do.

 

[kombat]

Mexican/Chinese carboys are probably fine, if you're careful, but in general the Italian ones are stronger/thicker/sturdier/superior. It seems they're all better/safer than BMB's, however. If ranking by likelihood of injuring you, I think it goes like this:

Least Likely To Injure You

• Italian carboys
• Mexican/Chinese carboys
• Rabid feral dog
• Big Mouth Bubblers

Most Likely To Injure You

 

[passedpawn]

Are you talking about Bubblers or carboys? Most carboys don't have the issues that the Bubblers do.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/big-mouth-bubblers-dangerously-thin-486222/index7.html#post6510039

He's talking about the BMB. It's the subject of this thread.

 

[bja]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/big-mouth-bubblers-dangerously-thin-486222/index7.html#post6510039

He's talking about the BMB. It's the subject of this thread.

I know, but he keeps saying "carboy" and he responded to a post referencing carboys.

 

[Rev2010]

But people should be aware that these things are no thicker than the depth of a small quarter.

Not even, the glass was measured to be thinner than the thickness of a dime. Perhaps the new revision is near the thickness of a quarter, but at only 17% thicker it's probably now the same thickness as a dime


Rev.

 

[kombat]

But people should be aware that these things are no thicker than the depth of a small quarter.

A "small quarter?" How many sizes do they come in?

 

[LandoLincoln]

Somebody's gotta bite the bullet here and buy one of the new versions and test it out. Who needs another fermentor?

 

[1977Brewer]

I do, but it won't be glass of any sort. I'm a massive klutz. My one gallon jug makes me nervous.

 

[kombat]

Somebody's gotta bite the bullet here and buy one of the new versions and test it out. Who has outstanding health insurance?

Fixed it for you.

 

[1977Brewer]

My insurance is awesome. Still not gonna.

 

[LandoLincoln]

I might buy one later and wrap it with clear duck tape to give me some protection in case it does crack.

Or maybe we should just email Northern Brewer and tell them to smash one on video to show us how much thicker the new ones are.

 

[bondra76]

Or maybe we should just email Northern Brewer and tell them to smash one on video to show us how much thicker the new ones are.

ha I like your thinking there.

I still wouldn't buy one of the new versions though. My other complaint about these things is that the lid is just made out of this crap plastic material with a flimsy paper-like gasket. They really need to re-design the lid as well.

I've just decided to go with my regular good old Italian made carboys instead of the BMB. I was all excited about the product but it's just another case of getting duped by someone making a crappy new homebrew product thats low quality and high margin. There seems to be a lot of those going around lately.

 

[Jbpiv]

Link to Facebook post if you'd like to share to help other homebrewers become aware of the dangers:

https://www.facebook.com/jbpiv/posts/10204136174432245

-------------
*Warning this post contains gory details and pictures*

Please read this, I am hoping my experience can prevent future accidents and injuries. I am writing this in hopes others can see it (since both sites filter and remove stories like mine on this product)

In February 2014, I purchased a Glass Big Mouth Bubbler 6.5 Gallon Carboy from Midwest Supplies Home Beer and Wine Making who is also owned by Northern Brewer. I used it once without issue, great.

On March 7th, I was finishing up a brew day that was in preparation for our wedding in June, so this was a trial run. I grabbed my Big Mouth Bubbler Carboy, and sprayed some Star San sanitizer in it, and filled it up with some water (Roughly a gallon to maybe 1.5, not exact) and as I always have done with other glass carboys (non Big Mouth) I picked it up to move the sanitizer around to get everything covered. As i flipped it over, and went to pour it out, i watched as if it was in slow motion the glass spider and it shatter in my hands. I immediately had a nice chunk taken out of my right wrist and blood was gushing out (i took one look at my wrist and that was all i needed to see inside me and knew it was bad). I yelled and thank god my fiance was home at the time as i did not have my cellphone on me (or i can honestly say i probably would not be here writing this). She rushed me to the ER at Lehigh Valley Hospital which is no more than 5-10 minutes from our home with towels clenched on my open wrist (which judging by her car, did very little). We got in the ER and the staff stabilized me and they prepared me for surgery. That night they tied off my lacerated artery. Then on Sunday I had a second surgery to repair my two severed tendons and three nerves. On Monday I was released from the hospital with pain medicine and a nice splint. All and all I had 19 stitches exterior and roughly 12 on the inside, the doctors at Lehigh Valley were amazing. We are still unsure if I will ever get full feeling back in my hand and movement in my thumb. Perfect timing for a wedding, right?

At first I thought it was clumsiness, but today I was forwarded a link to a thread on HomeBrewTalk.com (a home brewing website that I frequently go on) in which there are countless stories of people who had less severe incidents but also people who had similar experiences to mine). The common theme was both companies who make this particular carboy make an effort to remove reviews and stories such as mine from their site. This morning I wrote a review as warning to other home brewers on their website which was submitted "for moderation." I am sure my review will never make it to their sites (which give "raving" reviews for the product). But I hope enough people in the #homebrew and #craftbeer communities see my story and pass it along as a word of warning. These things are extremely dangerous!

 

[Rev2010]

Please read this, I am hoping my experience can prevent future accidents and injuries.

My God, I am still astonished no one has sued yet. The product is supposed to withstand simple homebrewing procedures such as being sanitized, filled, and cleaned and so many people have suffered life lasting injuries.

I hope you regain full use of your hand and feeling though I know the chances are slim.


Rev.

 

[MaxStout]

Before buying one, you might need some safety equipment.

 

[Darwin18]

Jbpiv - You need to sue. Seriously. Northern Brewer is well aware that this product is dangerous and defective, and still actively filters out negative reviews. You have suffered a serious injury with possible permanent nerve damage. Consult a lawyer to see if they're liable for damages. The only way to get NB to stop knowingly selling dangerous products is for legal action. I'm very sorry for your injury and I wish you the best in your recovery.

 

[WillyTango]

I escaped unscathed when one of mine broke while scrubbing it with a brush but I was amazed at how thin the glass really was...it's not a matter of if but when these suckers are going to break if you happen to own one imho.

 

[LandoLincoln]

I escaped unscathed when one of mine broke while scrubbing it with a brush but I was amazed at how thin the glass really was...it's not a matter of if but when these suckers are going to break if you happen to own one imho.

Was yours version 1.0 or 2.0? We all know that the original version is awful.

 

[barnaclebob]

I would love it if someone who was injured sued, if nothing other than to keep this from happening to someone else.

I know I vote with my wallet.

 

[penguinwing13]

Link to Facebook post if you'd like to share to help other homebrewers become aware of the dangers:



https://www.facebook.com/jbpiv/posts/10204136174432245



-------------

*Warning this post contains gory details and pictures*



Please read this, I am hoping my experience can prevent future accidents and injuries. I am writing this in hopes others can see it (since both sites filter and remove stories like mine on this product)



In February 2014, I purchased a Glass Big Mouth Bubbler 6.5 Gallon Carboy from Midwest Supplies Home Beer and Wine Making who is also owned by Northern Brewer. I used it once without issue, great.



On March 7th, I was finishing up a brew day that was in preparation for our wedding in June, so this was a trial run. I grabbed my Big Mouth Bubbler Carboy, and sprayed some Star San sanitizer in it, and filled it up with some water (Roughly a gallon to maybe 1.5, not exact) and as I always have done with other glass carboys (non Big Mouth) I picked it up to move the sanitizer around to get everything covered. As i flipped it over, and went to pour it out, i watched as if it was in slow motion the glass spider and it shatter in my hands. I immediately had a nice chunk taken out of my right wrist and blood was gushing out (i took one look at my wrist and that was all i needed to see inside me and knew it was bad). I yelled and thank god my fiance was home at the time as i did not have my cellphone on me (or i can honestly say i probably would not be here writing this). She rushed me to the ER at Lehigh Valley Hospital which is no more than 5-10 minutes from our home with towels clenched on my open wrist (which judging by her car, did very little). We got in the ER and the staff stabilized me and they prepared me for surgery. That night they tied off my lacerated artery. Then on Sunday I had a second surgery to repair my two severed tendons and three nerves. On Monday I was released from the hospital with pain medicine and a nice splint. All and all I had 19 stitches exterior and roughly 12 on the inside, the doctors at Lehigh Valley were amazing. We are still unsure if I will ever get full feeling back in my hand and movement in my thumb. Perfect timing for a wedding, right?



At first I thought it was clumsiness, but today I was forwarded a link to a thread on HomeBrewTalk.com (a home brewing website that I frequently go on) in which there are countless stories of people who had less severe incidents but also people who had similar experiences to mine). The common theme was both companies who make this particular carboy make an effort to remove reviews and stories such as mine from their site. This morning I wrote a review as warning to other home brewers on their website which was submitted "for moderation." I am sure my review will never make it to their sites (which give "raving" reviews for the product). But I hope enough people in the #homebrew and #craftbeer communities see my story and pass it along as a word of warning. These things are extremely dangerous!

My run-in with the BMB is almost identical with the exception of that I suffered a huge cut to my finger. I also contacted Midwest who do nothing but say "sorry". They have a policy not to post negative product reviews.

 

[BuffaloJohn]

I think this is a perfect reason to buy Carboy Covers if you don't want to go plastic. I just got mine and they look great.

 

[WillyTango]

was yours version 1.0 or 2.0? We all know that the original version is awful.

1.0

 

[smcinco]

They have a policy not to post negative product reviews.

I would imagine if they do not clearly post a disclaimer as such, the FTC would like to hear about their policy.

 

[MaxStout]

I think this is a perfect reason to buy Carboy Covers if you don't want to go plastic. I just got mine and they look great.

This. Anything to make carrying carboys safer, and those covers have robust handles.

Another option is to use plastic milk crates. Not the flimsy ones you find in the household goods aisles in stores, but the heavy duty crates, just like the ones you used to swipe from behind grocery stores.

 

[day_trippr]

I don't think there's any point in spending good money on a cover for the V1 glass. From all appearances it's not a matter of if you'll end up with a bag of shards 'n' beer (mmmm! ) it's a matter of whether it happens on the next batch.

Seriously, you know some buyer over in China spotted these in a store and without even thinking about holding 40+ pounds of beer had a couple of container-loads shipped to the midwest. And the rest is a gruesome history.

What were they used for originally? I'm guessing grain...

or potato chips...

Cheers!

 

[watermelon83]

My run-in with the BMB is almost identical with the exception of that I suffered a huge cut to my finger. I also contacted Midwest who do nothing but say "sorry". They have a policy not to post negative product reviews.

And with that I'll never buy anything from them again. What's the point of product reviews if one culls the negatives?

 

[MaxStout]

What were they used for originally? I'm guessing grain...

or potato chips...

 

[kombat]

And with that I'll never buy anything from them again. What's the point of product reviews if one culls the negatives?

I'm baffled why anyone still buys anything from this company.

• Their poor security practices compromised customers' credit card numbers, exposing them to hackers
• They vehemently denied that such a data breach occurred, despite vast numbers of Midwest customers alerting them to fraudulent activity on their credit cards
• Months later, they finally admitted they had indeed suffered a breach, and that everyone should get new credit cards
• They sell an extremely dangerous product like the glass Big Mouth Bubbler, which has been documented to have caused severe injuries in multiple users, and refused to apologize or stop selling the product. How have they not been sued???
• They censor any negative reviews on their website, creating the illusion that every product they sell is universally positively reviewed

Any one of those reasons should be enough to choose a better, more ethical shop to patronize, and yet people keep buying from them. Why? Is it that this information has not been adequately publicized? Do people simply not care? Do their prices undercut the competition appreciably?

For the love of God, people, STOP SHOPPING FROM THESE GUYS.