A carboy, often known as a demijohn or a lady jeanne, is a rigid container with an average capacity of 1 to 16 US gallons (4 to 60 litres). Carboys are typically used to transport liquids, typically water or chemicals. One might assume that selecting a carboy is a straightforward process. There are both glass carboys and plastic carboys.
PET carboy:
PET refers to polyethylene terephthalate, a form of polyester resin that has undergone extensive testing to meet or exceed FDA regulations for food contact. PET carboy are frequently used for the packaging of food and cosmetics. In fact, you probably already possess several of these in your home. To determine this, flip plastic carboys over and search for a recycling symbol with a number in the middle.
Featherweight
When you bring your PET carboy home, the first thing you’ll notice is how light it is. Compared to glass, a PET carboy feels like it can be thrown approximately 100 yards. This is without question one of their greatest advantages versus glass carboys. Not only is the weight of a full 6-gallon glass carboy uncomfortable, but it is also potentially hazardous. Every experienced homebrewer will confirm that transporting a full glass carboy is always risky.
Simpler to Clean
A PET carboy is simple to clean. I employ the same cleaning procedures for my glass carboys. I use a Jet Bottle Washer to wash away any yeast, hop, or protein trub that has gathered at the carboy’s bottom.
Durability
The greatest benefit is that PET carboys are unbreakable under regular conditions of use. However, carboys made with glass can shatter under a variety of unforeseen conditions. Did you accidentally strike it against a counter? Does lifting it by the neck reveal a weak spot? If you were to accidentally drop it, it could shatter. Don’t even get me started on the Chinese-imported glass carboys that tend to shatter if you look at them strangely. When your glass carboy breaks, the results are not nice. Not only do you lose your tasty homebrew, but you are also exposed to a deadly glass shower. Do a Google image search for “glass carboy injury” to verify. The outcomes are frequently unattractive and frequently terrifying. PET carboys are advantageous for this reason alone.
More Add-one:
A PET carboy allows for customizations that would be difficult with a glass one. Would you like to install a spigot and/or a valve? Not at all! Make a tiny hole and put it in. In search of a port sample that has been kept just above the yeast bed? It’s the same principle; just make a tiny hole and screw in your valve.
Glass carboy:
A glass five-gallon carboy weights 13 pounds and requires a #6.5 stopper or a #7 stopper for a tighter fit.
The following are reasons why people adore glass carboys:
- They have a very lengthy life span.
- When you use a carboy brush to clean them, they rarely scratch.
- It is impermeable to oxygen; therefore, your beer or wine will not spoil.
- Flavors cannot adhere to glass.
- There are three sizes available: 5-gallon, 6 gallon, and 6.5 gallon.
