The tale of the carboy

[FedoraDave]

I think I posted somewhere else that I asked for a 3-gallon Better Bottle carboy for a Christmas or birthday present. I even included a link to Northern Brewer's page so people could know exactly what I was talking about. The problem is, I didn't look carefully, and linked to a ported carboy, which requires spigots, since there's a hole near the bottom. If this stuff is required, it's a mystery why they don't include it anyway, but I digress.

So my dear mom got me the carboy I asked for. I didn't realize my error until after it arrived. But rather than send it back and exchange it for a different one, I went and ordered the parts I needed to plug the hole. It just seemed easier to do it this way, and besides, I wanted to order a couple of bungs and some DME and hops, anyway.

So the stuff arrived yesterday, and I couldn't figure out how the spigots and valves fit in the carboy. There are no installation instructions. I'm usually pretty good at figuring out how to do these kinds of things, and really, it's just a spigot. But I was in kind of a hurry because I had a dentist appointment, so I just abandoned it for the moment.

Later on, I had to go to NB's website and study the picture to try to suss it out. I think I got it right. At least it looks like the picture, and water doesn't come out, so there's that. The thing is, there's this cotter pin thingie that doesn't seem to have any use. If it's left on the way it came, the valve doesn't fit properly in the bung. And when you do fit the valve in, there's no way for the cotter pin to be re-installed. My only consolation is, I'm not the only one who is baffled by this. One of the two product reviews mentions this dilemma, but he says the thing works without it.

If I have any more trouble with it, I'm taking it to my LHBS and asking them to help me. I hope it doesn't come to that, though.

A - I'd like to begin using it ASAP and
B - Asking for help on what should be a pretty simple matter makes me feel like I need a grown-up to cut my meat for me.

I honestly don't mind asking for recipe help or advice for improving my process, especially with something new. But putting a 3-piece valve on a carboy? That just makes me feel pants-on-head stupid.

[Beer-lord]

Only an ignorant man would forego asking for help. No one can know everything about everything (well, there's God) so no worries. I bet your LHBS guy doesn't know diddly about what you do for a living.
Best of luck with your new gear.

[RickBeer]

Perhaps Northern can answer the question on their product?

[Gymrat]

If you can put it in so that it works and doesn't leak, I would just go with that and ignore the cotter pin.

[Inkleg]

Dave, go to the Better Bottle web site. I think it might have to answers you seek.
I'd post a link, but I'm still learning to drive this hand me down IPad thingy.

[FedoraDave]

Dave, go to the Better Bottle web site. I think it might have to answers you seek.
I'd post a link, but I'm still learning to drive this hand me down IPad thingy.

That was just as baffling. They tell you everything except how to install it.

And the pictures don't help.

I truly don't understand how people could manufacture and market something and not have comprehensive directions readily available.

[Inkleg]

Uhm, try this. Sorry it won't go to where I want it to. Left side of the page, racking adapters, installation. Has pictures and everything.

[FedoraDave]

Okay, I didn't try that link. In my defense, I was in a hurry, because SWMBO needed the computer for the evening, and also when I get frustrated I'm like a bull in a china shop. Rage blindness. Can't see the obvious when it's sitting right on my shoes.

I still question the positioning of that cotter pin, though. Looks like too much stress placed on it, but what do I know?

Thanks, Jeff, for the cooler head prevailing. I'll give it a try this evening. Next round's on me.

[FedoraDave]

Well, I installed it the way the BB website outlined. Haven't tested to see if it's watertight, but I don't see why it wouldn't be. I have an LBK batch to bottle this morning, and a small batch to brew, so that'll be the test.

I have to check to see if it's leak-proof, then make gallon marks on it, put the temp strip on, and I'll be ready to go. All this Cheez-Wiz aside, I have a feeling I'll prefer these carboys to the LBKs, so I can definitely see retiring the LBKs (actually, keeping them around for secondaries should I need one) and using these. Next one I buy will not be a ported one, though. I don't need a spigot on the side, since I have an auto-siphon for racking. I even auto-siphon from the LBKs. Just set it and forget it.

[Inkleg]

Glad you got it together Dave. I've been in those shoes before.

*Me talking to myself* "I should be able to figure this out, I'm a fairly smart guy, I brew my own beer for crying out loud, DAMN IT, I'm going to google this, oh, that's how it goes".

Hope the leak test goes well.

[FedoraDave]

Jeff, thanks for the chuckle.

I tested it, and it works a treat. Brewing a 2.5 now, and it'll go in this baby.

::woot woot::