BeerBorg

I've had it with the flimsy Erlenmayer flasks. This is the second one that's broken in less than a year. The first was totally my fault, since I set it down carelessly and it tipped over and smashed. But last night, I don't have any idea how it happened, and I'm lucky I noticed the crack before I tried to put my yeast starter in it, or who knows what would have happened.

Fortunately, I have a couple of spare growlers, and I quickly grabbed one, washed and sanitized it, and it's doing just fine. It should be just right by the time I'm ready for it on Wednesday.

But I prefer a flask for my yeast starters, so I'm going to look for a Pyrex one. Maybe they're distant cousins of hydrometers, and I should buy two to prevent suicide attempts.

Dave, some are quite fragile. We use the pyrex brand in our Tox lab from Fisher Scientific and they hold up well. Knocking over on counter ok, counter to floor...not so much . Hey happy New Year to you and your family.
sidenote: I may try a competition this May, so I will be asking for advice as we get near.

Go for the competition, Horse! Excellent experience, and we'll be behind you all the way. What are you thinking of entering?

Yeah, I knew in the back of my mind I should have opted for Pyrex from the start. I service a small pharm lab, and I'm always tempted to yoink one of their flasks, but I know I'd never get away with it.

FedoraDave wrote:Go for the competition, Horse! Excellent experience, and we'll be behind you all the way. What are you thinking of entering?

Yeah, I knew in the back of my mind I should have opted for Pyrex from the start. I service a small pharm lab, and I'm always tempted to yoink one of their flasks, but I know I'd never get away with it.

Dave - I have a flask from Bell's Brewery General Store, and it's very sturdy - it goes from the burner straight into ice bath with no issues, and it's not flimsy at all.

Here's the linky: https://bellsbeer.com/store/products/20 ... Flask.html

As far as competitions go, I agree with you - people should not be afraid to enter - even if you don't win, the feedback is great! The main thing to remember if you do want to place or win is to brew exactly to the style specification (BJCP.ORG), otherwise even great beer will do poorly if it's "not to style".

I have both a 1 liter and 2 liter and both are sturdy and like russki says, they go from the fire to the cold with no problems.

Thanks for the link, Russki. That's a real good price, too! I'm glad I didn't order anything yet.

I don't have a stir plate, so I just use a growler. Tough as nails... Not sure how it would work on a stir plate.

Are you keeping them next to your hydrometers? We all know how suicidal those are maybe it is catching.

mtsoxfan wrote:I don't have a stir plate, so I just use a growler. Tough as nails... Not sure how it would work on a stir plate.

It works just fine. I can hear the bar rotating, it's getting stirred up, and I've got really nice activity going on. Gonna refrigerate it later this evening so it'll be ready to decant and warm up during tomorrow morning's brew session. At least this part of the plan is coming together.

FWIW, the 2L flask I got from StirStarters has givein me no trouble, I go from gas burner to cold water with it all the time.

Even with Pyrex, I'd be reluctant to use it on the stove top, but it's good to know they can withstand that kind of thing.

FedoraDave wrote:Even with Pyrex, I'd be reluctant to use it on the stove top, but it's good to know they can withstand that kind of thing.

That's the whole point of a flask! No sanitizing or transferring wort - just boil, chill, and pitch! One caveat is you have to use a gas stove - I've heard of flasks shattering on electric burners.

BTW, Amazon has 2L flasks for under $15 shipped (with Prime).

Well, I have a gas stove....

It's just that I fear change.

[quote][/quote]FedoraDave wrote:
Go for the competition, Horse! Excellent experience, and we'll be behind you all the way. What are you thinking of entering?

I'm thinking of doing my Irish Red, a Porter and a Stout. What sort of info do I need to submit about style when entering? Do I give them my numbers/calculations?

my flasks 2000ml & 5000ml are never placed on the stove. Adding boiling wort and capping the flask with a foam stopper is quite effect in the sanitizing dept. I then add ice, salt and water to rapidly chill it down to pitching temp.