Tragedy at the Brewhouse, You never think it could happen to you. Options

[Erick]

My friends, it grieves me to tell you that there has been a tremendous tragedy at the brewhouse. I was in the process of taking the carboy to my kitchen to rack the Amber Ale to the secondary fermentor, then it happened. I placed the metal tension handle on the neck of the carboy, checked it for security, and made my way to the kitchen. In one tenth of a second, the handle slipped off, dropping the carboy to the cold, hard, unforgiving concrete floor of the garage. I witnessed 5 gallons of sweet, sweet beer flood from my garage. Hours of preparation, and hours of brewing, not to mention the money, literally made it's way down the sidewalk drain. Luckily, the Pumpkin ale is safe in the fermentation refrigerator. I wish it's twin was there with him. I am going to go cry now.

This reminds me of the scene in A Christmas Story, the movie about a boy and the Red Rider BB gun. That scene were the dogs get in to the turkey:
"The heavenly aroma still hung in the house. But it was gone, all gone! No turkey! No turkey sandwiches! No turkey salad! No turkey gravy! Turkey Hash! Turkey a la King! Or gallons of turkey soup! Gone, ALL GONE! "


Talk about pouring one out for the homies. I just gave props to every departed brewer in the history of civilization.

[pods8]

When I do use them, one hand on the neck, one hand on the bottom. If it means I have to put it down to open a door, then that is what I do.

+1. I'm honestly shocked every time I hear someone say they carry a full carboy by those neck handles, its just asking to snap the glass off... (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/crazy.gif)

[azu]

+1. I'm honestly shocked every time I hear someone say they carry a full carboy by those neck handles, its just asking to snap the glass off... (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/crazy.gif)

Just had my LHBS tell me it's ok to carry them full with the handle. I looked at him as if he was crazy. Wait, he is crazy!

[Fletch]

Well, I didn't mention it in my previous post, because I'm a little bit superstitious. but I've been carrying them full by the handle for 7+ years. Often two at a time (which is actually easier on the back then carrying one). BUT, I always pick them up slowly, and put them down to very gently. I also stop and put them down to open/shut doors, and I don't have to deal with any steps/stairs. I also don't try to carry anything else at the same time. I think it also bears mentioning that I'm always careful not to thermally shock my carboys.

Oh yeah, and I don't drop '03-A3 Sprinfield bolts on 'em! (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/cool.gif)