9

Is one better than the other? Why?

Carboy Cap:

Carboy Cap

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/3-5-6-gall-carboy-cap-orange.html

vs.

Stopper:

alt text

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/no-6-5-drilled-stopper.html

6
  • Caps are nice if you like to keep a thermometer in the beer Jan 24, 2011 at 18:30
  • You need to be more specific...better for what?
    – Denny Conn
    Jan 26, 2011 at 17:44
  • Good point. I think I meant general use, nothing specific. Jan 26, 2011 at 19:05
  • 1
    @joe phillips- That's one hell of a long thermometer to reach from the cap to the surface of the beer.
    – brewchez
    Jan 27, 2011 at 16:03
  • @brewchez Mine reaches -- it's a thermocouple Jan 27, 2011 at 17:19

1 Answer 1

5

I actually like the cap. The reason being is that I feel its better for sanitation. The carboy cap wraps down and over the edges of the top/neck of the carboy opening. So after a fermenting session I spray down the cap with sanitizer before I take it off. The sanitizer drips down the neck of the carboy. Using a stopper the sanitizer drips down into the crevice between the stopper and the opening of the carboy neck. Then when you pull the stopper out that stuff drips down into the fermentor. In theory its sanitized, but its still getting in the fermentor. Now if your not in the habit of spraying the stopper/cap/neck of your carboy before you open it like I am, then dust and dirt that has fallen into that little crevice is definitely getting into your fermentor and beer.

So I prefer the cap.

For the record though I have several caps and stoppers. I do use the stoppers on occasion. But the cap just makes me feel better.

3
  • 1
    I only have stoppers, usually the universal ones rather than the solid pictured above. But that is only because I've gotten most of my carboys used. Brewchez makes an excellent argument for the cap. I'd go with his suggestion.
    – TinCoyote
    Jan 24, 2011 at 1:03
  • I'd disagree about stoppers being unsanitary. The liquid around the mouth dries and never makes it into the fermenter, and when racking beer out of a carboy you syphon it--it never comes close to touching the mouth.
    – STW
    Jan 27, 2011 at 14:53
  • @STW The dried stuff has dried to the stopper and the carboy opening. When you pull the stopper out it breaks up. To think none of that gets into the carboy is naive. I am not saying its a big problem. I never said they were not sanitary, they are just less sanitary.
    – brewchez
    Feb 10, 2011 at 19:12

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.