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I cracked my glass carboy

20 points · submitted Sep 2018 by u/HeyGuysImJesus

After cold crashing and transfer, I went to go clean it with hot water without thinking. It broke in half in an almost perfect bowl shape. I didn't expect it since it had been 30 minutes since the transfer and didn't feel too cold. I'm lucky I had it on the ground when it broke. Usually I have it balancing on the sink.

https://imgur.com/a/zqP2vZr

I think this was a cheap carboy, the glass looks pretty thin. Is it typical for the mid section to be so thin?

I cracked my glass carboy

28 comments · 85% upvoted · other discussions

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Tony3696 44 points · Sep 2018

At least you still have a high capacity funnel.

jayb151 5 points · Sep 2018

At least it only broke into 2 pieces. I've only ever heard of those things exploding!

tlenze 1 points · Sep 2018 · Intermediate

That's usually when they're full of wort. All that extra pressure inside adds to the destruction.

jhirleyf 5 points · Sep 2018

I like glass, easy to clean, don’t need to worry about PET flavor transfer. Check out the brulosophy on this topic.

http://brulosophy.com/2016/05/16/fermentor-type-pt-2-plastic-pet-vs-glass-carboy-exbeeriment-results/

But in the end, do what works for you.

Cheers

HeyGuysImJesus [OP] 5 points · Sep 2018

I've always used glass. I think I will continue using them even after today, but I'll have to get a thicker one.

SuperJerryMV 2 points · Sep 2018

Thicker will not improve the thermal shock resistance of the material and will probably make it worse as the thicker material will retain the cold or hot temp for longer periods. Often times it will "go" much more violently with thicker glass in a severe temperature difference scenario as well

Evilsmurfkiller 5 points · Sep 2018

Time for an SS Brew Bucket.

SuperJerryMV 3 points · Sep 2018

Well on the plus side you can reach in to clean it!!!

[deleted] 3 points · Sep 2018

I would never use glass again. Too many close calls for me and seeing some of the injuries they cause is not worth it.

ellankyy 4 points · Sep 2018

That sucks... But seriously get some PET carboys!

mirthfuldragon 4 points · Sep 2018

Fermonsters... Once you go spigot...

mmmm_steak 1 points · Sep 2018

I've only seen the ones with spigots on more beer. Do you find them anywhere else? I always like to shop around first to get the best price and shipping.

Grippler 2 points · Sep 2018

Buy a spigot and drill a hole for it, takes 30 seconds and cheaper than buying them with the spigot premounted.

varikonniemi 2 points · Sep 2018

It's not same. The spigot version has a flat surface for the spigot mount.

Grippler 1 points · Sep 2018

The spigots fit just fine on the regular version however, there's really no need to pay extra for a small flat surface when it's not really needed for proper functionality of a spigot.

mirthfuldragon 1 points · Sep 2018

The price difference on More Beer is $4 between the spigot version and the non-spigot version. The price of a spigot by itself is $3-$4.

Grippler 1 points · Sep 2018

Fair enough, the price difference is $15-20 at my LHBS

thearthurvandelay 1 points · Sep 2018

I have some fermonsters, but they don't have spigots. they're disappointing because I was hoping to be able to reach in there to clean - but the openings are too small :'(

RelaxItsDane 3 points · Sep 2018

F

PressFBot 0 points · Sep 2018

F

adamgolstein 1 points · Sep 2018

it's a temperature shock. some materials like glass react to it. The problem isn't the carboy. it's the way you treated it. lesson learned. if you are incapable of treating it right. perhaps switch to using food grade plastic buckets. they are cheap and easy to care for.

anadune 3 points · Sep 2018 · BJCP

This is the best response. Temperature shock is a real thing with glass. You cannot got from cold - above room temp without stressing the carboy. That stress is what leads to cracks/shears like you have seen.

I have a 3 or 4 6 gallon glass carboys and just as many 5 gallons. I have pretty much decided to use them for meads or longer fermentations. I picked up a couple of 6 gallon Better Bottles and also purchased two 13 gallon HDPE 2 fermenters that look like this. These have the benefit of the plastic carboy and are easy to clean. I drilled out a hole larger enough for a grommet for an airlock, but am considering drilling out a spot for a bung to do pressure transfer.

[deleted] 1 points · Sep 2018

What's the best way to treat them? I've been using glass for a number of years and I've even dropped them from 1-2 feet and never had an issue of them breaking. I've only read about them breaking online.

tlenze 1 points · Sep 2018 · Intermediate

Which is why for Halloween last year I decided not to put dry ice in my carboys full of colored liquid for my mad scientist costume/cubicle setup.

duoderf 1 points · Sep 2018

You shouldnt do that.

bluespringsbeer 1 points · Sep 2018

How hot was the water you used?

thearthurvandelay 1 points · Sep 2018

yeah, glass can be scary. I hade a close call once. now I don't use it anymore.