Use this carboy?

[lonbrewing]

Hey everyone,

I have two old carboys (like 1920 old) and each one of them has scratches on the neck, on the inside. The scratches are from a carboy brush being used with Oxiclean Free.

Please let me know your thoughts on keeping this carboy or discarding it.

Thanks!!

 

[Jimbodaman]

Has it been used it in say the last 20 years? If so I say go for it. I would spray some star san in the neck every day for a few days to make sure any possible infections are gone. My biggest concern would be brittle old glass, I would ferment with it in my garage the first time so if disaster did strike at least it wouldn't ruin my house.

 

[Jimbodaman]

If it's thick glass and had been previously used for beer I'd say go for it, as long as there are no hairline fractures. What size is it by the way?

 

[Yeastieboy]

I would do a mild bleach soak overnight (or PBW), rinse, then StarSan prior to filling. As for the scratches, I wouldn't worry about it. Definitely also recommend a BrewHauler, as that's some old glass and sturdy support for moving might be wise.

 

[kh54s10]

It is glass so I would not use it at all, YMMV. I would not be too worried about infection provided you sanitize well. I would definitely not try to move that carboy at all once there was any liquid in it.

I seriously doubt that using Oxyclean Free had anything to do with that... Make sure they are in fact scratches and not stress cracks.

 

[ss4ivan]

If your scared of picking it up full, you could always use a milk crate or carboy hauler.

 

[lonbrewing]

I've definitely fermented with these in the last 12 months and was quite happy with the ales that came out. While I do believe these are scratches, I am not confident enough to say they are not stress cracks - certainly could be.

They are both marked on the bottom "1925" and hold just under 5 gallons. They are pretty cool. One is actually "bubbling" on the outside of it; almost looks like its shedding. I have a buddy that works for a glass manufacturer and am waiting to hear his thoughts on the "bubbling".

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I say use it.

For a penny collection.

 

[Yeastieboy]

Like most other things, it's probably better made than the new ones!