Carboy calibration: HIGHLY recommended

[Cuddly_Gus]

I didn't look for case precedence here, but in the interest of maximizing production per brew session (and to define EXACTLY what my losses were in each brew-house vessel) the anal engineer in me decided to calibrate volumes of all my brewing equipment. I checked all 6 of my corny kegs... They maxed out at a lovely 5.36 gallons each. Consistent across the whole lot.
So then I moved on to my carboys. I have 6 in total: 4 that are identified 5 gallon and two labeled as 6. What I discovered was that not all was as advertised. Of the four 5 gallon carboys, two maxed out at 4.9 gallons, one hit exactly 5 gallons and the fourth reached the 5.3 mark. This helps explain a number of anomalies I have seen in previous brew sessions.

In contrast, the 6 gallon carboys were consistent: Both maxed out at 6&1/8 gallons and the graduations (4-5-6-6.125 gallons) were even.

Overall, It was an eye opener for me, so I thought I'd share.

BTW, max volume was measured at the neck, second bump-ring from the top rim.

Anybody interested in purchasing two 4.9.... er 5 gallon carboys?

[Gucci Pilot]

Gus, welcome. Kinda hard to read your post with yellow text on grey. But, I moved it to classifieds because it seems that you are selling your modified carboys.

[bcmaui]

I only ferment with under modified organic carboys.

[Bugeater]

I have calibrated all my carboys. I measured out water a half gallon at a time and poured into the carboys. I marked each half gallon level on the side of the carboy with a paint pen. Makes keeping track of volumes much easier.

Wayne

[1010Brewing]

[color=#FFFF40] the anal engineer in me

That must be uncomfortable. Welcome

Wayne: I do the same thing it makes for measuring in a carboy that much easier.

Danny

[BeerPal]

I use the old school board style and the background for message text is white. The yellow-on-white text is so contrast-free that I'm getting nauseous trying to reads this guy's post. So I ain't gonna.

[Phil]

yes. it's a good idea to graduate all vessels, and use an old racking cane with graduations calibrated for your kettle if you don't have a sight glass.

[Cuddly_Gus]

Sorry about the yellow font. Looks great on my screen.

Good tip about the paint pen Wayne. I've been using 1" adhesive vinyl numbers, but the paint pen sounds a little easier.


Gucci Pilot, The carboys for sale remark was tongue-in-cheek. Not really concerned about selling them. Just wanted to alert folks to the variability and the need to calibrate and mark them.