Just noticed a crack in my glass carboy... problem?

[rcd]

I noticed there is a crack several inches long in my glass carboy, which is currently holding 5 gallons of a london brown ale. I felt along it... nothing is escaping, no liquid is coming out, but I'm slightly worried about contamination for some reason. I guess it depends on whether it extends all the way through to the inside? Any thoughts on this?

 

[david_42]

If it isn't leaking you don't have to worry about contamination getting in. Be very careful when you rack. Glass is weird stuff, sometimes a crack will just sit there for years, but I'd replace the carboy.

 

[homebrewer_99]

Wrap that sucker in duct tape as soon as you can...DO NOT PRESS ON THE GLASS!!!

 

[Brewpilot]

It is already in there, so you lose nothing by letting it go. See what happens, maybe it will turn out superb and you can call it your Broken Glass Bass... ha ha

 

[EdWort]

It is already in there, so you lose nothing by letting it go. See what happens, maybe it will turn out superb and you can call it your Broken Glass Bass... ha ha

Or maybe Crack in my Bass Ale.. LOL

 

[Brewpilot]

Bass Crack Ale LOL

 

[kornkob]

I second the 'Be Careful' comment.

I too would tape the crack (using a lot of tape) and after I carefully racked off, I'd recycle the carboy--- that crack represents a great deal of potential danger that isn't worth the few bucks it'll cost you to replace it.

Also, when racking time comes make sure you only move the thing when someone else is around. If that thing comes apart the likelihood of you having a serious injury is significant. Having someone there who can help you if you get hurt could be the difference between a trip to the hospital and bleeding out on your kitchen floor.

Who has a link to that guy who got all cut up when a carboy broke on him?

 

[EdWort]

Wrap that sucker in duct tape as soon as you can...DO NOT PRESS ON THE GLASS!!!

I'd wear safety goggles, leather gloves, long sleeves, long pants and closed toe shoes when handling that sucker till you get your beer racked off and that carboy in the trash can outside. Good luck and be careful.

Color me cautious, but I've seen loads of nasty cuts in my days.

 

[rcd]

lol!!!

 

[user 574]

I would take absolutely no chance and get yourself one of these outfits:

Dog suit is optional.

The good advice was already provided

 

[EdWort]

What a hoot! LOL

 

[david_42]

In space, no one can hear your dog fart!

 

[homebrewer_99]

I would take absolutely no chance and get yourself one of these outfits:

Dog suit is optional.

The good advice was already provided

ROTMFFLMMFAO!!!! Where do you guys find these pics? They are great! Cheers!

 

[the_bird]

Does somebody here have a tennis ball fetish? That's too kinky not to be sexual.

 

[gruntingfrog]

Here's a link to a guy that had a nerve damage and severe bleeding from a busted carboy. Picture of his hand post-surgery is still pretty bad.

http://www.vcds.forces.gc.ca/dsafeg/pubs/digest/10-05/art01_e.asp

 

[homebrewer_99]

Yep, just as I do and have been saying for years...use milk crates to carry them around in when full.

You can also buy a dolly at Menard's ($15.00), place 2 boards across the center of the dolly (1" boards) and cover with a thin carpet (the kind in your cars trunk). Then you'll have transportation for 2 carboys without any chance of it tipping over if 1 is removed.

I also use 1 dolly to transport my DME (I have 6 - 55# boxes on 1).

 

[EdWort]

Here's a link to a guy that had a nerve damage and severe bleeding from a busted carboy. Picture of his hand post-surgery is still pretty bad.

http://www.vcds.forces.gc.ca/dsafeg/pubs/digest/10-05/art01_e.asp

Nuff Said.

 

[Desert_Sky]

Here's a link to a guy that had a nerve damage and severe bleeding from a busted carboy. Picture of his hand post-surgery is still pretty bad.

http://www.vcds.forces.gc.ca/dsafeg/pubs/digest/10-05/art01_e.asp

thanks for putting into pictures whats been on my mind for a while. I need milkcrates bad.

 

[EdWort]

Yep, just as I do and have been saying for years...use milk crates to carry them around in when full.

You can also buy a dolly at Menard's ($15.00), place 2 boards across the center of the dolly (1" boards) and cover with a thin carpet (the kind in your cars trunk). Then you'll have transportation for 2 carboys without any chance of it tipping over if 1 is removed.

I also use 1 dolly to transport my DME (I have 6 - 55# boxes on 1).

Then again, you could use a Better-Bottle and not worry about this stuff. Man, that carboy article is scary.

 

[Orpheus]

And thanks to all for the safety tips. I'll definitely be getting a couple milk crates as I've almost tripped a couple times trying to carry my carboy over the child gate and down the stairs. I also find that using Star San makes my carboys nice and slippery which is great for making sweet love to your carb..

I mean it makes your carboys very dangerous.

 

[the_bird]

Great, justy the image I wanted.

You making a cream ale?

Now we're going to get questions about using K-Y as a no-rinse sanitizer...

 

[kornkob]

I need milkcrates bad.

Personally I prefer the nylon strap systems that HB stores sell. They lower your center of gravity when carrying the carboy and you can leave the straps on while washing it, giving you something to hold on to when the carboy is wet and slippery.

For example:
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/ProdByID.aspx?ProdID=6028

 

[Exo]

I'd like to see a plastic shell on carboys...if it cracks...a good chance your not going to get the trip to the hospital.

 

[Beer is good]

I think you should call a haz-mat team and the bomb squad to remove it ;-)

just kidding but I wouldn't use it again, every time the temperature changes the crack will probably get a little longer!

 

[homebrewer_99]

Personally I prefer the nylon strap systems ...

I looked at these, but I prefer to stick with the milk crates. I also place several layers of cardboard in the bottoms of the crates to absorb any shock caused by placing them down. .

 

[kornkob]

I looked at these, but I prefer to stick with the milk crates. I also place several layers of cardboard in the bottoms of the crates to absorb any shock caused by placing them down. .

I did the same thing with the strap system but I used closed cell foam (from my old army sleeping mat). I ended up taking them out again because I found that when more in contact with the cellar floor, they seemed to maintain cooler temps.