In the morning before the brew session on Wednesday night, I cleaned my 6 gallon Better Bottle carboy with a solution of water and PBW (that’s Powdered Brewery Wash for those of you who hate initials). I filled it up to the top and was going to let it soak during the day. I set it up and went to work. No big deal.
When I got home, I noticed that 3/4ths of the solution was out of the Better Bottle and on my basement floor.
Wha’ happened? Did someone tip it over but put it back upright before the whole carboy emptied?
I picked it up and noticed the bottom of the Better Bottle was wet. Then I noticed something else.
There was a crack in my Better Bottle.
I tried to take a photo of it but I couldn’t get it right with the flash or the lighting.
It was good that I had that extra red arrow lying around to help point it out though.
Researching about this issue, I found some threads on discussion boards stating that excessively long soakings using high concentrations of detergent can cause cracking.
I don’t think I ever my soak go more than overnight, plus I am pretty strict on the amount of PBW I use. I don’t know. It was a real bummer and almost halted my brew session.
Thankfully, Mike had his Better Bottle carboy ready to go so the brew session went on.
Has anyone else had this problem with Better Bottles? Should I go get a 6 gallon glass carboy?
Worlock Air Emergency AC Repair
great blog, thank you and keep it up!
John
Thanks Worlock.
LifeIsStout
Hey John, I use Better Bottles myself. I have so far not run into the cracking issue you have seen. But for my cleaning I use a solution of OxyClean to get rid of the leftover junk after fermentation. I have also used one of the carboy cleaners that attach to a drill, and before that a bottlebrush with a sock over the bristles (so it doesn’t scratch). But warm water and Oxy might work better and be less harsh than PBW.
Señor Brew™
Yes, go glass. I know people have cited safety concerns with them breaking, but I think you can eliminate (or at least minimize) the risks by following common sense:
No moving/lifting/sanitizing/filling glass carbons while drinking
Get handles for them, or leave them in milk crates
Make sure there is little temperature differential between the carboy and liquid filling it
Wear closed shoes, pants, even protective eyeware and gloves while handling glass carboys
It may sound like overkill, but it sure beats a sharp stick (or shard of glass) in the eye.
Happy and safe brewing!
Mike
@LifeisStout (love that screen name BTW).
Why do you think PBW is harsher than Oxy? They are basically the same thing with the exception that PBW has a surfactant in it as well. Surfactants aren’t harsh at all.
Jason Gabriel
I have had this happen TWICE. I gave up and went back to glass. I had heard the chemical soak thing before, but did not follow up on my own. I also had wondered about hot water (140F) in a better bottle on my cold concrete floor (especially in winter).
John
Thanks LifeisStout, Señor Brew, and Jason for the feedback.
Yeah, I use hot water when soaking to help dissolve the PBW…and I do tend to roll/skid them across my basement floor a few feet away from my sink to a place out of the way.
I bought a new 6 gallon Better Bottle – couldn’t resist with the Northern Brewer 25% discount. I got it for less money than going to the local homebrew shop even with shipping from MN to MA.
Anyway – if this one fails…it’s back to glass and keeping the Señor’s tips for handling in mind.
Derrick
I know this is an old thread but it showed up in a search so I thought I would reply.
I have been using glass carboys for over 15 years without incident. Senor’s tips are spot on. I would only add that you NEVER add hot liquid to a glass carboy. Cool your wort to 80 degrees F or below and you will have no problem.
I know some people hate cleaning carboys. I don’t like it myself but have found an effective way with minimal effort involved.
I clean my carboys with about a 1/4 gallon of water and 1/2 pound of ice cubes.
In an open area, hold the carboy by the bottom with one hand and the neck with the other. Turn the carboy in your hands so that is at about a 45 degree angle and then gently start to swirl it. The ice cubes will scrub all of the deposits off the glass. Stop and turn the carboy in your hand to get all the surfaces if you need to. Don’t worry if the ice bounces at first, it won’t break the glass. It may feel clumsy the first few times doing it, but you will get the hang of it.
Once all of the deposits are scrubbed off the glass, use a couple of drops (about a half teaspoon is all I use at the most) of dish soap (I use Dawn cause it rinses away nicely) and add another half gallon of warm water. Use your carboy brush to soap all the inside and get any small areas the ice may have missed then rinse thoroughly. Drain your carboy over night upside down then seal with a ziplock and rubber band for storage. Your next brew session, just sanitize and your ready to go with your next batch. Give it a small rinse if it makes you feel better. RDWAHAHB.
This method may work with the Better Bottles also as the ice won’t scratch the surface. I haven’t used Better Bottles so I can’t vouch for it.