Glass Carboy or Better Bottle?

[Ifixjetz1]

Hey guys i have been brewing more, and have had the need to get more secondary fermenters. I have the option of buying 6 gallon glass carboys, or 6 gallon better bottles, which are essentially plastic water jugs. The price between the 2 are half off from the glass.. What do you guys prefer??? any downsides to using plastic?

 

[Gduck]

So far I've only used glass carboys. While I've never had an issue with them, the thought of that glass slipping from my hand and shattering always unerves me, especially when I go up and down the basement stairs with a full carboy. Between cats and a small child running around it is a wonder I haven't taken a tumble with one of these in hand already.

I know my next purchase of fermenters will be the better bottles with the goal of eventually phasing out most of the glass. I've read up on them and most people who get them seem to really love them. I don't know if they have the same longevity as glass, but at least they won't lacerate me.

I'll also be interested to hear from anyone who uses them regularly and has pros and cons about them.

 

[SenorPepe]

Glass Carboy vs Better Bottle - Home Brewing Wiki

 

[LandoLincoln]

Glass carboys vs better bottles:

Glass carboys:

Pros:
* If you ever get an infection in your beer, you can re-use the glass carboy
* They can last you a very long time if you're careful and lucky
* They come in 6.5 gallon size
* They are very pretty to look at

Cons:
* They have the capability of maiming or killing you
* They are very heavy compared to better bottles

Better bottles:

Pros:
* They are light
* They won't cut you to ribbons if you ever drop one
* They are prettier than buckets

Cons:
* They don't come in 6.5 gallon size
* They will wear out
* If you get an infection in one, they're done

 

[Gear101]

one of those dog food containors would be cool.. or maybe three of them for Brett Beers and/or big beers

 

[insubordinateK]

I have and use both. The downside of the glass is the expense and danger of dropping and breaking; however, they are inert and you can easily clean and sanitize.

The better bottles are cheaper and work great. I use them exclusively for wild yeasts. However I am hesitant to clean them with a brush because I am afraid I will scratch them. So I just soak them in cleaner and sanitizer. So far this has worked, but the BBs are relatively new to my setup.

I think glass is the optimal vessel to use if price isn't a big issue. In fact, I would have no qualms having all glass fermenters.

 

[JSGT09]

However I am hesitant to clean them with a brush because I am afraid I will scratch them.

They clean up really well just soaking in some PBW. I let my BB soak in about 2-3 gal of PBW mix, then shake it up to get most of the crud out. Then with just a minimal amount of cleaner in it, I throw in a washcloth or other cloth and shake the thing up like crazy. Swirling the cloth around scrubs the inside of it without scratching. Comes out cleaner than ever. Don't use a brush, it will ruin the bottle.

Back to the OP question. I bought mine originally because of all the horror stories I heard of people breaking glass carboys and cutting themselves to pieces. I did tons of research before deciding on the BB and there was no reason not to use them. Do a search, even a simple google search with your question and you will come up with tons of threads. I put mine in a milk crate prior to adding the wort because they can distort if you carry them by the neck.

 

[helibrewer]

I have a couple glass carboys but mostly BB. I like the BB except that I cannot vacuum rack from them (the sides flex in under vacuum). I much prefer the BB's. My plan is to switch to Speidel Plastic Tanks though. (Speidel Plastic Tanks | MoreBeer)

 

[Gtrman13]

This doesn't really address your question, but if you're using the carboy for secondary, I'd used a 5 gallon in stead of a 6 gallon. You'll have too much headspace in the 6 gallon.

 

[hypergolic]

Heh this is like asking democrat or republican? I use Better Bottles, glass is an accident waiting to happen for me.

 

[Spartan1979]

I started using Better Bottles and like them. I just wish they came in a bigger size to allow more headspace for primary fermentation. The beer I brewed Monday (5.5 gallons in a 6 gal Better Bottle) lost more than a half gallon out the blowoff tube. I'm going to have to try fermcap in the primary.

 

[Golddiggie]

Heh this is like asking democrat or republican? I use Better Bottles, glass is an accident waiting to happen for me.

Another option is used (or new) sanke kegs. You can ferment 5+ gallons in pony kegs (7.75 gal capacity), 10-11 gallons in the 50L kegs, or ~13 gallons in 1/2 bbl kegs. You can boil in them to sterilize the insides if you get an infection too. IF you drop one, it won't break, but you might damage the floor (or your foot). They have two good sized handles built into the tops that also makes it easier to carry them.

You can also stack them to store, similar to buckets, but unlike carboys.

You have zero chance of oxygen permeation or light penetration, also unlike all carboys, or plastic fermenters. Sure, oxygen won't go through glass, but light will.

I've been using sanke kegs to ferment my beers for most of my batches. I'm even using two 1/6 bbl kegs to ferment two meads right now (~4 gallons in each).

There are people that have turned sanke kegs into conical type fermenters. I'm not currently interested in doing that. I won't rule it out in the future, but it's not in my current set of plans.