27 replies to this topic

[Gumbo Leviathan]

I was thinking of buying one of those inexpensive chest freezers I see at Lowes for use as a fermentation chamber (With a temp controller).My only question is...how the hell do you get a carboy in an out of one of these things? I dont feel comfortable lifting a full carboy by anything other than the bottom.

[Stout_fan]

They make carboy carriers. I'd remove it after getting the carboy in the freezer, lest it rot from the condensation.HEY!! Wait a minute, you mean with all your ninja skills you can't schlep a carboy?Oh, and just step up to a 10 cu ft. That way you can get more than one cornie in there if you choose to lager that way.

[BrewerGeorge]

#1, use Better Bottles or buckets. Glass is fricking dangerous!#2 Put them in empty and fill them in place. This takes some planning when you set up the brewery and may be ultimately impossible for some people.

[stadelman]

I use a "Brew Hauler" carboy carrier. I used to just use the carboy handle, but I hear that's a no no. The Brew Hauler makes it pretty easy to carry a full carboy around... unless you're a lady.

[cbbrown40]

I use a Sanke in mine. With twelve gallons of brew in it me and the wife can lift it in and out or as George sais fill it in place. +1 on not using glass

[ncbeerbrewer]

I have to say I pretty much use mostly glass and only have one plastic carboy too. I do my aging and fermentation in chest freezers. The carboy handles work for me but filling in place works too good, and who doesn't want a good workout lifting out the beer and all. Gotta make up for all the consumption.

[stellarbrew]

You might consider getting a fridge. It's much easier access. You can get a used one on Craigslist real cheap if you keep an eye out.

[MyaCullen]

#1, use Better Bottles or buckets. Glass is fricking dangerous!#2 Put them in empty and fill them in place. This takes some planning when you set up the brewery and may be ultimately impossible for some people.

#1 yes , it is, but I simply cannot afford the horrendous expense of Better Bottles. Buckets are good as primaries and short term secondaries, but I don't trust them to age Wine or Mead.And yes in 7 years I have broken 2 carboys bot dropped from less than 2 inches, partially filled with cleaner, scary stuff. I don't have any kids around thankfully.#2 This is awesome advice if you can set it up to work for you.Honestly if I had the $$ I'd look into stanless instead of either.

Edited by mikeinspokane, 14 April 2009 - 05:50 PM.

[3rd party JKor]

I use a "Brew Hauler" carboy carrier. I used to just use the carboy handle, but I hear that's a no no. The Brew Hauler makes it pretty easy to carry a full carboy around... unless you're a lady.

Whatever you do DON'T make your own Brew Hauler!!!Some people will know what I mean.

[Cliff Claven]

Do you have a place that sells used milk crates? Mac's hardware around here carries them. As a last ditch, maybe ask the milkman some a couple. But then we get into that old debate........JKoravos, I don't know what you mean. Mine DIY works fine. Tons of stitching. I also went with 2" webbing. I cost about the same as the commercial version!

Edited by Cliff Claven, 14 April 2009 - 06:21 PM.

[BrewerGeorge]

#1 yes , it is, but I simply cannot afford the horrendous expense of Better Bottles. Buckets are good as primaries and short term secondaries, but I don't trust them to age Wine or Mead....

All the ports and the fittings and such are what make them expensive. The unported ones with a #10 stopper cost about the same as a carboy. Of course, you already have the carboys, so BB's would be a replacement cost. But they should only run you about $20 each.

[3rd party JKor]

JKoravos, I don't know what you mean. Mine DIY works fine. Tons of stitching. I also went with 2" webbing. I cost about the same as the commercial version!

Old joke from the board that shall not be named.Someone posted about making their own once and someone from the company threatened legal action, or something like that.

[MyaCullen]

All the ports and the fittings and such are what make them expensive. The unported ones with a #10 stopper cost about the same as a carboy. Of course, you already have the carboys, so BB's would be a replacement cost. But they should only run you about $20 each.

Oh , shit, then I'll STFU and MMOB :rolf:I swear the last time I looked, and it was years ago they wer ugly spendy, since i recently busted a 5er I will replace it with a BB, many thanks.EDIT to change MYOB to MMOB, whoops

Edited by mikeinspokane, 14 April 2009 - 07:26 PM.

[Cliff Claven]

Old joke from the board that shall not be named.Someone posted about making their own once and someone from the company threatened legal action, or something like that.

Missed that one. Maybe b4 my time?

[DubbelEntendre]

milk crate + https://www.forearmf...m_forklift.html

[pods8]

I just tip the carboy a tad till I can get a hand under it to pick it up. That said we're going to be doing the kid thing down the road here and I plan to phase out most of my glass. I've got a lot of kegs for long term storage and will likely use buckets for primary and maybe get some BB's too.

[tag]

Ditto on the milk crates.

[3rd party JKor]

Just get a gantry crane. No biggie.5 gallon model:10 gallon model:

[REM]

Just get a gantry crane. No biggie.5 gallon model:

:)I am planning on building a hoist into the brew shed when I do get going on it. Even a lowly chain pull hoist is better than trying to muscle heavy stuff around in bad posture, as in a chest freezer. It might not be workable for everyone, but it is worth kicking around.

[dondewey]

I've been lifting my buckets in and out and it's not too bad, but I am about to use a 15 gal sankey for a 10 gal batch so I rigged up a block and tackle with some rope and pulleys. A chain hoist probably would be easier, but this seems ok.