Background:
Last week I stopped at a popular homebrew shop in Portland. To be clear, it was NOT brewbrothers.biz (I've had nothing but good experiences with them). I directly asked if it was borosilicate and was told it was. Website states:
Today:
Put sugar solution in flask (was going to add to an apple creation) and prepared to boil. Placed flask with cold water and sugar solution on very low flame (brew rig burner). Applied low heat, gradually ramped up heat as temperature of solution increased but never got anywhere near full flame. Suddenly - bang, hiss, flask broken, flame extinguished, glass and sugar solution everywhere. Luckily neither my daughter nor I were hurt.
Question:
Any way other than markings to determine if a flask is borosilicate vs soda-lime glass?
Is what I did standard practice or should I mark this up to experience?
It's been a hellish month (meaning I'm REALLY pissy) and I wanted to consult with the wise minds here before contacting the vendor. I'm pissed - just not sure whether I should be pissed at them or at myself.
Last week I stopped at a popular homebrew shop in Portland. To be clear, it was NOT brewbrothers.biz (I've had nothing but good experiences with them). I directly asked if it was borosilicate and was told it was. Website states:
The flask was VERY well packed at the store so I didn't look at it in store. Upon arriving home I unwrapped the flask and was dissapointed to find no indication of brand or material. I had a gut feeling the flask wasn't borosilicate but checked the website and carried on.2000ml Erlenmeyer Flask. Great for making yeast starters. These flasks are made with temperature resistant glass so they can be placed directly over a gas flame, assuring a sterile growth medium. The extra large size of this flask is perfect for a huge starter. A must for barley wines and other big beers.
Today:
Put sugar solution in flask (was going to add to an apple creation) and prepared to boil. Placed flask with cold water and sugar solution on very low flame (brew rig burner). Applied low heat, gradually ramped up heat as temperature of solution increased but never got anywhere near full flame. Suddenly - bang, hiss, flask broken, flame extinguished, glass and sugar solution everywhere. Luckily neither my daughter nor I were hurt.
Question:
Any way other than markings to determine if a flask is borosilicate vs soda-lime glass?
Is what I did standard practice or should I mark this up to experience?
It's been a hellish month (meaning I'm REALLY pissy) and I wanted to consult with the wise minds here before contacting the vendor. I'm pissed - just not sure whether I should be pissed at them or at myself.