PET Fermentation Carboys

Available in plain or ported models
- Order ported models for use with Racking Adapters and SimpleFlo™ valves -

11.4 L (3 Gal)
18.9 L (5 Gal)
22.7 L (6 Gal)

Introduction

Better than glass and not simply plastic; BetterBottle carboys are special -   •Light weight and safe to handle  •Crystal clear and colorless  •Negligible oxygen permeability  •No taste or odor  •Exceptional stain resistance  •Smooth, non-porous, non-absorbing, hydrophobic surfaces do not carry over flavors (flavor scalping) and wash easily  •Superior tolerance to cleaning and sanitizing agents.

Specialized PET - BetterBottle carboys are made with specialized, scientifically tested polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, which does not have the disadvantages that make other plastics unacceptable for fermenting wine or beer. The specialized PET is made with virgin materials containing no bis-phenol-A (BPA) or plasticizers (DEHP etc.). This is important, because PET made from recycled materials may contain traces of such endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and is not as durable. BetterBottle PET meets FDA requirements with a Kosher statement. For more information about BetterBottle materials, cleaning/sanitizing, permeability, and purity refer to the Technical tab at the top of this page.

Specialized Manufacturing - Making a BetterBottle carboy requires more than the specialized, virgin PET resin. The manufacturing equipment and methods must also be specially optimized in order to achieve durability and low permeability. The molecules of PET must be stretched and tightly packed and it is necessary to achieve a delicate blend of microscopically small crystaline and amorphous regions.1 BetterBottle carboys are made for use in scientific and medical laboratory applications and as fermenters for home winemaking and brewing. They can be, and are, widely used for potable water; however, they are made to higher standards than carboys intended primarily as containers for potable water. For more on why all PET carboys are not equal, refer to the FAQ tab at the top of this page and view the BB vs. Plastic section).

Designed for Ruggedness and Convenience - Unlike glass carboys, BetterBottle carboys are essentially unbreakable, extremely light weight (about 1.5 lbs [~0.68 Kg]), a pleasure to handle, inexpensive to ship, and easily stored. Strategically placed, carefully designed, and externally textured ribs make BetterBottle carboys easy to grip when full, much stronger, and far more dent and scuff resistant than they would otherwise be. The smooth inside walls of the ribs do not trap sediments or in any way interfere with washing and sanitizing. Concave, punt-style bottoms facilitate racking and also contribute greatly to the strength of the carboys and ease of handling. Precision molded necks are: 1) Wide, so filling is convenient; 2) Uniform, so a variety of closures fit consistently; and 3) Extra strong, so handles can be attached and used with confidence. BetterBottle carboys are available either plain or ported. The ported versions are used with BetterBottle Racking Adapters and quick-disconnect SimpleFlo™ valves, which eliminate the need for siphons and make oxygen-free racking simple. For additional important information relating to the design, use, and handling of BetterBottle carboys check out the How-To Tips tab at the left side of this page and the Technical tab at the top of this page.

Graduation Marks - BetterBottle carboys are not graduated, because graduations on containers that are wide (relative to their height) and somewhat elastic cannot be read with sufficient accuracy to be consistent with science or careful winemaking and brewing. Small addition volumes should be measured using volumetric ware and large addition volumes can be measured far more accurately using a good-quality parcel scale, which can be easily calibrated using the density of water. For information relating to density and volume conversion factors refer to the Units of Measure - Volume/Weight section under the Technical tab at the top of this page.

1 Liu, R Y F. et al. Crystallinity and Oxygen Transport Properties of PET Bottle Walls. J. Applied Polymer Science. 2004 Vol. 94, 671-677 (Accessed 05/15/10)

Ported Carboy
fitted with
Racking Adapter
&
SimpleFlo valve

More Information - Use the popup menu associated with the Carboys tab at the left side of this page for random access to specific information about each of the sizes of BetterBottle carboys or simply scroll down the page.



3 Gallon Carboy - New, Improved Shape and Heavier Wall for Optimum Performance

3 Gallon Ported
Shown with
Racking Adapter & SimpleFlo valve
3 Gallon Plain

Design:
Overall - 19 cm (7.5") square 49.1 cm (19 1/3") high
Neck - ID 45 mm (1.77") / OD 55 mm crown
Volume - Nominal 3 US Gallons (11.4 liters) [ filled to bottom of neck ~11.6 liters]
Weight - ~0.68 Kg (~1.5 lbs) empty and ~12.1 Kg (~26.6 lbs) filled
Pressure/Vacuum Limits - 0.14 bar (2 psi) and -0.05 bar (-0.75 psi) at 25° C (77° F)
Temperature Limits - -30°C to 60°C (-22°F to 140°F)
Chemical Resistance - In general, avoid very strong caustics, especially KOH and NaOH (lye), and concentrated aliphatic ketones (e.g.,essence oils).

Materials - For materials specifications, including chemical resistance, use the Technical tab above.

Cleaning / Sanitizing - Read the Wash/Sanitize section, under the Technical tab at the top of this page, for very important information.

Special Features - An extra heavy wall with specially engineered angles to give strength without trapping sediments makes this carboy unique among compact carboys. The 3 gallon capacity yields fifteen 750 ml bottles of wine and is ideal for: Ice wine kits, Making good use of the unpredictable volumes of juice, Refrigerating (the square shape makes efficient use of space), etc.

Part Numbers:
3 Gallon Plain - BB-G3(PLAIN)
3 Gallon Ported - BB-G3(PORT)

Packaging / Shipping:
Harmonized System Code - 3923.30.90.32

Boxed as a twin pack (two carboys per box) - 39.4 x 19.7 x 50.8 cm (2 Kg) or 15.5 x 7.75 x 20 inches (4.5 lbs). The carboys are individually bagged within each box. The UPS/FedEx Air dimensional equivalent weight for a twin-pack box is 6 Kg, or 13 lbs, so additional items weighing as much as 8 3/4" lbs can be added around the necks of the bottles without increasing the cost of shipping. The cost of shipping two or three twin-pack boxes to a single destination, using a ground parcel service, can be reduced by strapping them together. As a rule, a double will ship for 40% less than two individual boxes and a triple will ship for 30% less than three individual boxes. Strapping a larger number of twin-packs together typically results in diminished savings, or even increased cost; therefore, when shipping more than three boxes, ship doubles and any odd box as a triple.

Boxed in 18-pack box - 58.4 x 58.4 x 95.3 cm (14.5 Kg) or 23 x 23 x 37.5 inches (32 lbs). This box falls just below the lower limit of 130 (girth + height in inches) for a UPS "Oversize Box". The carboys are individually bagged within each box. This form of packaging is intended for bulk shipments of carboys that will be sold over the counter, used locally, or repackaged.

18-pack boxes on optiledge pallet -
The two 0.45 Kg (1 lb) pallet ledges, which make up the pallet, can be nested for compact storage and reused or returned for credit.


156 carboys in eight 18-pack boxes and 6 twin-pack boxes (overhead, roller-door trucks): 116 x 116 x 228 cm (130 Kg) or 46 x 46 x 89.75 inches (290 lbs).

180 carboys in ten 18-pack boxes (barn-door trucks): 116 x 116 x 257.cm (150 Kg) or 46 x 46 x 101 inches (330 lbs).


Twin-pack boxes on optiledge pallet -
The four 0.45 Kg (1 lb) pallet ledges, which make up a pallet, can be nested for compact storage and reused or returned for credit.


156 carboys in 78 twin-pack boxes (overhead, roller-door trucks): 120 x 121.3 x 241 cm (170 Kg) or 47.25 x 47.75 x 94.75 inches (375 lbs).

180 carboys in 90 twin-pack boxes (barn-door trucks): 120 x 121.3 x 263 cm (185 Kg) or 47.25 x 47.75 x 103 inches (410 lbs).




5 Gallon Carboy

5 Gallon Ported
Shown with
Racking Adapter & SimpleFlo valve
5 Gallon Plain

Design:
Overall - 27.0 cm (10 5/8") diameter by 49.1 cm (19 1/3") high
Neck - ID 45 mm (1.77") / OD 55 mm crown
Volume - Nominal 5 US Gallons (18.9 liters) [filled to bottom of neck ~19.4 liters]
Weight - ~0.68 Kg (~1.5 lbs) empty and ~19.7 Kg (~43.5 lbs) filled
Pressure/Vacuum Limits - 1 bar (14.5 psi) and -0.05 bar (-0.75 psi) at 25° C (77° F)
Temperature Limits - -30°C to 60°C (-22°F to 140°F)
Chemical Resistance - In general, avoid very strong caustics, especially KOH and NaOH (lye), and concentrated aliphatic ketones (e.g., essence oils).

Materials - For materials specifications, including chemical resistance, use the Technical tab above.

Cleaning / Sanitizing - Read the Wash/Sanitize section, under the Technical tab at the top of this page, for very important information.

Special Features - This 5 gallon carboy is a mainstay of home winemaking and brewing. Full of wine or beer, the carboy weighs an easily manageable 19 Kg (42 pounds).

Part Numbers:
5 Gallon Plain - BB-G5(PLAIN)
5 Gallon Ported - BB-G5(PORT)


Packaging / Shipping:
Harmonized System Code - 3923.30.90.32

Boxed individually - 29.8 x 29.8 x 50.8 cm (1.4 Kg) or 11.75 x 11.75 x 20 inches (3 lbs). The carboys are individually bagged within each box. The UPS/FedEx Air dimensional equivalent weight is 6 Kg, or 14 lbs, so additional items weighing as much as 11 lbs can be added around the neck of a carboy without increasing the cost of shipping. Strapping four boxes together can reduce the cost of shipping by ground parcel service about 17%, compared with the cost of shipping the boxes separately. All other bundled combinations are likely to cost more to ship than the individual boxes.

Boxed in 8-pack box - 58.4 x 58.4 x 95.3 cm (7.3 Kg) or 23 x 23 x 37.5 inches (16 lbs). This box falls just below the lower limit of 130 (girth + height in inches) for a UPS "Oversize Box". The carboys are individually bagged within each box. This form of packaging is intended for bulk shipments of carboys that will be sold over the counter, used locally, or repackaged.

8-pack boxes on optiledge pallet -
The two 0.45 Kg (1 lb) pallet ledges, which make up the pallet, can be nested for compact storage and reused or returned for credit.


72 carboys in eight 8-pack boxes and 8 single-pack boxes (overhead, roller-door trucks): 116 x 116 x 229 cm (74 Kg) or 46 x 46 x 90 inches (162 lbs).

80 carboys in ten 8-pack boxes (barn-door trucks): 116 x 116 x 257 cm (77 Kg) or 46 x 46 x 101 inches (170 lbs).


Single-pack boxes on optiledge pallet -
The four 0.45 Kg (1 lb) pallet ledges, which make up a pallet, can be nested for compact storage and reused or returned for credit.

72 carboys in single-pack boxes (overhead, roller-door trucks): 119 x 120.5 x 241 cm (102 Kg) or 47 x 47.5 x 95 inches (225 lbs).

80 carboys in single-pack boxes (barn-door trucks): 119 x 120.5 x 263 cm (114 Kg) or 47 x 47.5 x 103 inches (250 lbs).




6 Gallon Carboy

6 Gallon Ported
Shown with
Racking Adapter & SimpleFlo valve
6 Gallon Plain

Design:
Overall - 28.9 cm (11 3/8") diameter by 49.1 cm (19 1/3") high
Neck - ID 45 mm (1.77") / OD 55 mm crown
Volume - Nominal 6 US Gallons (22.7 liters) / 5 UK Gallons (22.7 liters) [filled to bottom of neck ~ 22.8 liters].
    For more information about the difference between the US and UK gallon, use the Units of Measure section under the Technical tab above.
Weight - ~0.68 Kg (~1.5 lbs) empty and 23.4 Kg (~50 lbs) filled
Pressure/Vacuum Limits - 1 bar (14.5 psi) and -0.05 bar (-0.75 psi) at 25° C (77° F)
Temperature Limits - -30°C to 60°C (-22°F to 140°F)
Chemical Resistance - In general, avoid very strong caustics, especially KOH and NaOH (lye), and concentrated aliphatic ketones (e.g., essence oils).

Materials - For materials specifications, including chemical resistance, use the Technical tab above.

Cleaning / Sanitizing - Read the Wash/Sanitize section, under the Technical tab at the top of this page, for very important information.

Special Features - The 6 gallon size is the perfect size for full-size wine kits and is widely favored for brewing beer.

Part Numbers:
6 Gallon Plain - BB-G6(PLAIN)
6 Gallon Ported - BB-G6(PORT)


Packaging / Shipping:
Harmonized System Code - 3923.30.90.32

Boxed individually - 29.8 x 29.8 x 50.8 cm (1.4 Kg) or 11.75 x 11.75 x 20 inches (3 lbs). The carboys are individually bagged within each box. The UPS/FedEx Air dimensional equivalent weight is 6 Kg, or 14 lbs, so additional items weighing as much as 11 lbs can be added around the neck of a carboy without increasing the cost of shipping. Strapping four boxes together can reduce the cost of shipping by ground parcel service about 17%, compared with the cost of shipping the boxes separately. All other bundled combinations are likely to cost more to ship than the individual boxes.

Boxed in 8-pack box - 58.4 x 58.4 x 95.3 cm (6.8 Kg) or 23 x 23 x 37.5 inches (15 lbs). This box falls just below the lower limit of 130 (girth + height in inches) for a UPS "Oversize Box". The carboys are individually bagged within each box. This form of packaging is intended for bulk shipments of carboys that will be sold over the counter, used locally, or repackaged.

8-pack boxes on optiledge pallet -
The two 0.45 Kg (1 lb) pallet ledges, which make up the pallet, can be nested for compact storage and reused or returned for credit.

72 carboys in eight 8-pack boxes and 8 single-pack boxes (overhead, roller-door trucks): 116 x 116 x 229 cm (68 Kg) or 46 x 46 x 90 inches (150 lbs).

80 carboys in ten 8-pack boxes (barn-door trucks): 116 x 116 x 257 cm (73 Kg) or 46 x 46 x 101 inches (160 lbs).


Single-pack boxes on optiledge pallet -
The four 0.45 Kg (1 lb) pallet ledges, which make up a pallet, can be nested for compact storage and reused or returned for credit.

72 carboys in single-pack boxes (overhead, roller-door trucks): 119 x 120.5 x 241 cm (102 Kg) or 47 x 47.5 x 95 inches (225 lbs).

80 carboys in single-pack boxes (barn-door trucks): 119 x 120.5 x 263 cm (114 Kg) or 47 x 47.5 x 103 inches (250 lbs).