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Secondary Fermentation of Homebrewed Beer
If you are using single stage fermentation, the best investment you can make is to add a secondary fermenter. All you will need is a five gallon carboy, stopper, and an airlock. The investment is less than $30, and your beer will improve greatly. Secondary fermentation provides many advantages, not the least of which is flexibility in bottling. Single stage fermentation requires that you bottle your beer within 7-10 days of brewing to avoid yeast bite. By transferring (racking) the beer to a secondary fermenter you can hold off the bottling for as long as three weeks. The time your beer spends in the secondary fermenter allows it to mellow and clear. Hops can be added to the secondary fermenter (dry hopping) to enhance the aroma and flavor of the finished beer. The advantages and options go on and on. You don't have to buy the brewery to make better beer.
The Better Bottle
Don't think of Better-Bottle carboys as plastic, think of them as better than glass. They are made from a special type of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which make them acceptable for fermenting wine or beer.
The Better Bottle has the advantage of being light weight compared to glass. When cleaning, you can invert the bottle and using a pistol-grip garden hose nozzle, direct a stream of water into the bottle to rinse out. There are also many commercial bottle rinsing attachments available for sink faucets. You can also simply fill partially with hot water, hold a towel over the open end and shake vigorously to rinse out. Invert and air dry.
These better bottles can be used for our Selection Specialty Wine Kits, our 3 gallon You-Make-Kit Brand kits and the Vintner's Harvest Fruit Wine Recipes (Vintner's Harvest can also be made using 5 gallon Better Bottles).
Glass Carboys
Five gallon glass water bottles were once a must-have for homebrewers. Glass is easy to clean and sanitize and will last a life time if cared for. Remember safety first. Never put boiling water into a glass vessel. The high temperature will cause the glass to expand quickly and break.
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solid plastic bottle without a spigot portBetter-Bottle PET carboys are made from a special type of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which make them acceptable for fermenting wine or beer. They are rated to 60 degrees C (140 degrees F), the highest temperature recommended for home hot water heaters. Higher temperatures are unsafe, unnecessary and likely to distort the carboy. |
Fits all better bottles
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Glass carboys are the best choice for secondary fermentation and some primary fermentation. Glass is easy to clean and sanitize and will last a life time if cared for properly. |
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This belt is designed to wrap around most primary and secondary fermenters. It heats at a constant 75 - 80° F. It works for wine, beer and cheese making. |
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Designed by a home brewer, this innovative product ends the struggle of handling and moving glass carboys. Constructed of polypropylene webbing, it creates handles around a carboy. Adjusts to fit 3 to 7 gallon carboys and can support 100 LB. |
Fits 6.5 gallon carboy
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Attaches to your variable speed drillThe exclusively designed cleaning pads are made of a 100% non-woven viscose material specially processed using air-spun technology. This makes the Carboy Cleaner cleaning pads super absorbent, lint free, strong, yet soft enough that it will not scratch any fine surface. |
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21 inch cleaning brush |
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Plastic dryer holds carboy upside down for draining making them easy to clean and sanitize and is top shelf dishwasher safe. |
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These handles are used for stability, not lifting. |
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Padded insulation protects carboys from harmful light rays, heat, cold, and breakage. |
With white plastic cap |
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With white plastic cap |
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lifetime warrantyWith this unit you can wash bottles and carboys in seconds. It is made of solid brass and connects easily to standard hose fittings or utility sink spouts. It is NOT recommended for kitchen sinks. Comes with a Lifetime Guarantee! |
Fits gallon and half gallon jugsFor glass gallon jugs |
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Fits gallon and half gallon jugsThis is a plastic screw cap for a one gallon or half gallon jug that is designed to work with the Econolock Airlock. It is perfect for making small batches and preparing yeast starters. |