From: jim@mivax.mc.duke.edu (James D Dryfoos - Systems)
Newsgroups: rec.crafts.brewing
Subject: Re: Exploding carboys ?????
Date: 18 Aug 92 04:06:00 GMT
Organization: Duke University Medical Center
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

In article <1992Aug17.020535.19525@athena.cs.uga.edu>, milliken@athena.cs.uga.edu (Brewmeister) writes...
>In article <1992Aug13.201852.28800@awdprime.austin.ibm.com> bj@perfmap.austin.ibm.com writes:
>>After brewing two batches in a plastic bin, I have decided to buy
>>a glass carboy.
>>I just received a porter kit from 'Great Fermentations', and the 
>>instructions says NOT to single-stage ferment in a glass carboy,
>>and they know of more than 10 exploding glass carboys.
>>I've read Papazian, and, there is a picture of a glass carboy with
>>a hose for the foam, so what's the deal ????
>>
>>Any comments on one-stage vs. two-stage vs. brewcap welcome (please
>>remember: Make beer, not war :-) )
>>
>>Cheers
>>Bjarne 'BJ' Hansen
>>Car freak and home brewer
>>All opinions are mine. All models over 18. Your mileage may wary.
>>Batteries not included. Void were prohibited.
> 
>Sounds like an excessively cautious liability precaution to me.  I know of one
>guy who exploded a glass carboy.  It was his first batch ever.  Bought a "kit"
>(can of malt syrup, pack of dehydrated hops, pack of yeast), cooked it up
>according to the directions on the can, and put it in the carboy.  He then
>proceded to pound a stopper into the carboy with a rubber mallet.  A couple
>of days later, he came home to find 5 gallons of partially fermented wort
>on his floor, and glass shards embedded in the walls of his kitchen.  Note that
>he used a solid rubber stopper, not an airlock.  If you use an airlock, you
>shouldn't have a problem.

If you are concerned, do what I do.  I have what is called the "large blow off
tube."  It is just the size of the carboy internal diameter.  Teh tube goes
directly into the carboy (no stoppers with holes).  This lets the gas out and
prevents problems (explosions) due to blockage which smaller diameter tubes can
cause.  I suspect most homebrew supply stores have them.  If not, Alternative
Beverage in Charlotte NC is where I got mine (do not have number off hand).
It is something like 800-365-BREW??????  Check with me if you want.

--Jim

P.s.  I like the one stage blowoff.  Particularly this time of year.
I still use the blowoff in a class carboy method and also rack to secondary
glass carboy :-)

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*  James Dryfoos  -- Medical Informatics - Duke University Medical Center     *
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* James Dryfoos  -- Medical Informatics - Duke University Medical Center      *
* VMS Systems Programmer -- Postmaster - Duke Electronic Medical Post Office  * 
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