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Introduction
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Flexible stoppers and caps
are the only solution for glass carboys, because glass carboys
have irregular necks. However, the flexible materials used to make
stoppers and caps can: 1) Harbor contamination; 2) Impart, or carry
over, flavors; 3) Deteriorate when treated with washing and
sanitizing agents, and 4) Permit the passage of oxygen.
BetterBottle PET closures, which fit all
sizes of BetterBottle carboys, have none of these drawbacks.
The closures are made of an incredibly tough, proprietary PET that
does not stain or impart flavors and is easily cleaned and
sanitized. Teflon-encapsulated, Viton O-rings create precision seals
that require no lubrication. Two models are available: A
Universal model with a 1/2" port that has an O-ring
seal and two Big Blow models, one with a 3/4" NPT pipe
thread and the other with a 15mm BSPT pipe thread.
Utilizing new technology, which
accurately measures trace concentrations of oxygen in
closed spaces, BetterBottle engineers determined
that BetterBottle PET O-Ring Closures are extremely
effective at blocking the passage of
oxygen. Some types of closures, notably silicone rubber
stoppers,are very oxygen permeable and one type
of closure is very leaky. Click HERE to view
this important study (1.5Mb PDF).
Testing a
BetterBottle PET Closure for Oxygen Leakage
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Negligible
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Additional Information
- Use the popup menus associated with
Closures & Funnel tab at the left side for random access to all the
specific information relating to closures. Scrolling down this page
will access the same information in sequential
fashion.
Chemical Resistance of
BetterBottle PET Closures - In
general, avoid very strong caustics, such as KOH and NaOH (lyes),
and concentrated aliphatic ketones (e.g., essence oils). For
additional materials specifications, please refer to the
Technical tab at the top of this
page. |
| PET O-Ring
Closures |
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Universal Closure - This
PET closure is designed with 1/2" port and comes with a removable
plug installed. The port is designed so a 1/2" OD tube can be
inserted to blow off foam during primary fermentations. Optional,
compatible fittings include: 1/8" NPT threaded plugs, equipped with
90° or "T" hose-barb adapters, and the low-profile BetterBottle
DryTrap™ fermentation lock, which requires no liquid. The hose-barb
adapters are generally used for connecting 1/4" ID gas purging and
pressure balancing hoses. As a rule, the hose-barb fittings are only
used during racking, so a given location may require no more than
one or two sets. Refer to How-To Tips at the left side of
this page for information regarding the use of the hose-barb
adapters for low-oxygen and oxygen-free racking. Refer to
DryTrap at the left side of this page for details about this
exciting alternative to liquid-filled fermentation
locks.
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Big Blow Closure- This PET closure makes
it possible to attach large-diameter, rigid pipe or tubing to
BetterBottle carboys for blowing off the thick foams that develop
during primary fermentations of some beers and even some wines. Big
Blow closures are available with either 3/4" NPT or 15mm BSPP
threads. The following threaded or solvent-weld pipe and fittings
will make a rigid blow-off tube: a 90° street elbow with a
3/4" NPT or 15mm BSPT male thread; a 6" (15.25 cm) nipple; a 90°
elbow; and a 18" (45.75 cm) length of pipe, threaded on one end.
Most hardware stores carry rigid PVC pipe that can withstand
chlorine-based sanitizers. If you have access to polypropylene pipe,
it is a better choice. Alternatively, a threaded 90° hose adapter
can be used to connect to PET-lined, flexible tubing (see
Tubing at the left of this page).
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Use
- BetterBottle PET closures are
designed so the O-rings seat on steps, rather than in grooves;
making the O-rings easy to remove for cleaning or service.
The Viton O-ring
that creates the seal between the closure and the neck of a
BetterBottle carboy is Teflon-encapsulated (not just coated), so the
seal will remain slippery without lubrication. Note: Use only
BetterBottle O-rings for replacement.Before inserting a closure into the neck of a carboy,
the large O-ring should be pushed all the way onto its step. Before
inserting a hose or fitting into the port of the universal-style
closure, the small O-ring should be pushed all the way into its
seat. Before removing a PET closure from the neck of a carboy, open
its port to prevent suction. A sticky pad of the type used for
opening jars makes it easy to grip a PET closure for removal. A Blue Handle
can also be used to remove a closure with minimum effort.
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| A sticky
pad makes it easy to grip a PET closure |
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A blue
handle can be used to grip a PET closure
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Three-part air locks and some other fittings may not
seal in the 1/2" port of the universal-style, BetterBottle PET
closure without a few turns of Teflon thread tape (available at
hardware stores). Military-grade Teflon thread tape is thicker and
easier to use than commercial grade, but either type will serve the
purpose nicely.
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Stoppers/Caps
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A number of commercially available
55mm caps and #10 rubber stoppers will fit BetterBottle carboys and
many winemakers and brewers have found them to be satisfactory;
however, some have significant drawbacks
(see Introduction above). If a stopper or
cap has a new smell or has picked up a smell from use, it
is a pretty safe bet that whatever is causing the smell will end up
in the next batch of wine or beer. Use the Technical tab
at the top of this page for specifics regarding Flavor
Scalping.
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| #10 Gum Rubber
Stoppers |
A Single-Use PE
Cap |
A Vinyl (PVC)
Cap |
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Low-sulfur, gum rubber stoppers (typically
white) are more likely to be available as "food grade" and less
likely to impart objectionable flavors than stoppers made of
neoprene (typically green or black). Unfortunately, fruit juices can
damage gum rubber stoppers.1 The holes
in rubber stoppers should be 7/16" (11 mm) diameter. This size hole
will work with BetterBottle Dry-Traps as well as most other types of
air locks. A 3/8" (9-10 mm) hole will be a tight fit. It is
important that the hole be molded,if possible. When holes
are drilled, the stoppers should be stiffened in liquid
nitrogen; otherwise, the walls of the hole may be quite rough and
make a poor seal.
Polyethylene (PE) caps tend
to be designed for one time use - push on and tear off.
And they are not available in ported sizes that can easily be made
to fit DryTraps or other types of air locks.
BetterBottle does not recommend silicone rubber
stoppers (often hazy white or brightly colored), especially for
aging, because silcone rubber is so very permeable and certain
to transfer flavors and chemicals.1
BetterBottle also does not recommend soft vinyl (PVC) caps, because
they are likely to contain significant percentages of plasticizers,
some of which are considered a health risk (see Purity/Safety
under the Technical tab
at the top of this page). Soft vinyl is also relatively oxygen
permeable and some of the processes used to mold caps can
result in rough, leaky sealing surfaces.
1 Cole-Parmer Chemical Resistance Data Base
(Referenced 12/11/11)
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Funnel
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A new 124 mm
(4.88"), heavy-wall funnel for BetterBottle carboys makes filling
easier than ever. It is made of sturdy, high-density polyethylene
(HDPE) and fits snugly into the necks of the carboys, so there is no
bubbling around the stem during fast filling and none of the
slopping that occurs when funnels rock back and
forth.
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Cleaning/Sanitizing
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The special PET from which
BetterBottle closures are made has a non-porous, hydrophobic
surface, making it extremely easy to clean and sanitize. The O-ring
in the port of the universal-style closure should be removed during
cleaning procedure, so it will not become lost. The large O-ring on
the both types of closures can also be removed, but this is usually
not necessary. Finger pressure should be sufficient to remove the
O-ring; do not use tools. BetterBottle Closures may be
damaged by temperatures exceeding 75° C (167° F). Read the
Wash/Sanitize section, under the Technical tab
at the top of this page, for important information. Always
rinse BetterBottle PET closures thoroughly in clean water before
storing them.
Abrasive scouring pads and cleansers should
never be required or used.
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| Service |
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Use only BetterBottle O-rings for
replacement; they are made of special materials that cannot be
easily obtained through hardware suppliers and other materials will
not function correctly.
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Part
Numbers |
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Universal PET Closure
(includes plug and O-rings) - BB-CLZ(PET-O4)
Replacement plug for Universal PET
closure - BB-CLZ(PET-O4)-PLG
Two replacement 1/2" ID O-rings for the
Universal PET closure port - BB-CLZ(PET-O4)-SERV(A)
Replacement Teflon encapsulated O-ring
for Universal and Big Blow PET closures -
BB-CLZ(PET-O4/T6)-SERV(B)
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| Port Fittings For
Universal PET Closure |
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90° x 1/4" Hose Barb
Adapter - BB-CLZ(PET-O4)-HB2XR |
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"T" x 1/4" Hose Barb
Adapter - BB-CLZ(PET-O4)-HB2XT |
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DryTrap - See
DryTrap tab at the left side of this
page
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Big Blow PET Closure with
3/4" NPT Thread (includes O-ring) -
BB-CLZ(PET-T6)
Big Blow PET Closure with 15mm BSPT
Thread (includes O-ring) - BB-CLZ(PET-T4X)
Replacement Teflon encapsulated O-ring
for Universal and Big Blow PET closures -
BB-CLZ(PET-O4/T4X/T6)-SERV(B)
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| Funnel -
BB-FNL(HDPE) |
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Packaging |
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Harmonized System Code - 3923.30.90.90 applies
to these parts
BB-CLZ(PET-O4) -
Individually packed in a hang-hole, zipper
bag
Bags of 20 individual packages -
3.25 lbs (1.47 Kg)
BB-CLZ(PET-O4)-HB2XR -
Individually packed in a hang-hole, zipper
bag
Bags of 20 individual packages -
0.31 lbs (0.14 Kg)
BB-CLZ(PET-O4)-HB2XT -
Individually packed in a hang-hole, zipper
bag
Bags of 20 individual packages -
0.35 lbs (0.15 Kg)
BB-CLZ(PET-O4)-PLG -
Individually packed in a hang-hole, zipper
bag
Bags of 20 individual packages -
0.25 lbs (0.11 Kg)
BB-CLZ(PET-T4X)
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Individually packed in a hang-hole,
zipper bag
Bags of 20 individual
packages - 2.5 lbs (1.14 Kg)
BB-CLZ(PET-T6) -
Individually packed in a hang-hole, zipper
bag
Bags of 20 individual packages -
2.5 lbs (1.14 Kg)
BB-FNL(HDPE)-124x45 -
Individual funnels are not packaged
Boxes of 10 funnels - 11" X 11" X 9" (26.4 cm X 26.4 cm
X 21.6cm) 4.5 lbs (2
Kg)
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