I found an easy solution for making a big blowoff tube for Better Bottles; use the
plastic caps that are used on bottled spring water. They come with a small plug
that is for use with a water cooler. The bottle is set into the cooler upside
down and the drain tube in the cooler pops the plug into the bottle. The cap is a
snug fit on the Better Bottles, but works very well. Five gallon plastic carboys
of water are available in many of the grocery chains for about $5.00 plus a $5.00
deposit on the carboy.
ATTN:
The water carboys ARE NOT recommended for brewing.
I was told by
a chemist that there is a difference in composition between Better Bottles and
water carboys. The water carboys are a different composition of plastic and are
designed for strength. Because they are for water the oxygen barrier offered by
Better Bottles isn't a critical factor. When I posted about the water bottles on
the NB Forum there was a dissenter. That is the nice thing about public forums;
multiple views can be posted and interested parties can do research from there.
NB Forum Message String
To use the cap it's
just a matter of popping out the plug. I found prying up on the bottom edge of the plug
to be the easiest. Install a piece of 3/4" OD x 1/2" ID vinyl tubing in the hole and you
have a nice, and inexpensive, blowoff setup.
I currently have a
source for some of these caps that already have the plug removed. I only have a few on
hand, but may be getting more on a regular basis, depending on demand. Anyone who would
like to have one can send a SASE. PM milehightrader on the Northern Brewer Forum for
availability and the address.
NOTE: I currently have
about 3 dozen of the caps on hand.
Top of a cap with the plug
Inside of a complete cap with the plug
Cap with vinyl tubing installed. Plug at right in picture
