There are basically two types of Carboys, plastic, and glass. However, glass is one of the oldest types of Carboys and a traditional container used for brewing. Both glass and plastic carboys have their advantages. Experts have been arguing as to which kind of carboy is best for home brewing.
Glass Carboys are far more durable than plastic carboys and can be used for many times. It can tolerate a high amount of wear and tear. Moreover, glass Carboys have smooth glass surfaces inside and out.
It is non-porous, which prevents anything from sticking to the carboy itself, which includes odors. The minimum amount of byproducts means it does not have any unwanted flavors, aromas, etc.
Glass Carboys have smooth surfaces, which makes cleaning easier. A jet bottle or carboy brush can help with the cleanup. There is a reason why glass Carboys are the traditional form of vessels used for brewing.
However, glass Carboys are heavy, and one glass carboy weighs around 20 lbs while a plastic carboy of a similar size weighs only 5lbs. That’s why glass Carboys aren’t suitable for transportation purposes.
Plastic carboys are made from polyethylene construction, making it even easier to handle while glass Carboys do not offer a better grip. It is dangerous to handle glass Carboys with wet hands, and the containers may slip.
Moreover, plastic carboys have polyethylene construction, which reduces contamination and excessive evaporation. There is another advantage of plastic carboys. With glass Carboys, you can’t insert a spigot, but with plastic carboys, insertion of the spigot is possible.
No matter which plastic, Carboys are lighter and easier to handle, but it isn’t as durable as glass Carboys. So it depends on the purpose of the carboy. If you want containers to transport the brew, then plastic containers would be a better option than glass because glass Carboys are heavier.
