Category Archives: Parties

Hands On Review: Lifeline 64 OZ, Double Wall Stainless Growler – Two Temperature Tests

This is a review of the Lifeline’s 7500 64 oz, Double Wall Insulated Stainless Steel Growler.

Note: Since this review was published the design of this growler has changed. Search Lifeline Growler on Amazon for current designs and availability

Front side of the label. It Reads: Vacuum-Insulated Double-Wall. Vacuum insulated to keep liquids hot or cold all day. Double-wall technology prevents condensation & keeps outside wall of bottle at a comfortable temperature. Lightweight 18/8 stainless steel is 100% recyclable It has no liner and will not retain odor or taste. Stainless Steel. BPA-free.

Reverse side of label (click for a larger view)

Inside of view of growler

Bottom of growler

Inside of lid

Product logo

Reverse side – Vacuum Insulated – 64oz/1.9L – 18/8 Stainless

For size comparison – next to a standard growler

Temperature Test 1:

I filled this growler full of cold water. It ended up leveling out at 42.6 deg F.

Next, I placed this outside. It was a warm day. My CDN DTQ450X read 87.9 deg F at 6:17 PM

I brought the growler inside at 9:07 PM. At that time it was 79.1 deg F.

The contents were still at an amazing 45.5 degrees. That’s a loss of 2.9 degrees over nearly 3 hours of sitting in 87.9 – 79.1 deg F ambient temperatures. That ends up being an average of 1.02 degrees per hour. That’s crazy.

Temperature Test 2 – Side by Side Comparison with Standard Growler:

For this test I decided to ensure that each growler held the same mass of water. I did that by weighing both growlers and then subtracting the weight of the growler itself using the tare feature on my Escali Primo scale. Note that while the next two pictures were taken during that process, they do not show the weight of water that was used. I’m including them only so that you can compare the weight of a standard growler vs this stainless growler.

Weight of a standard growler 1,113 grams.

Weight of this stainless growler 772 grams. The stainless growler is 30% lighter.

After getting the same amount of water in each growler I decided to chill these down in my fermentation deep freeze. Figuring that this would be a good way to get the contents close in temperature. I let these chill for a few days. They did get close in temperature but they were not identical. The standard growler came out at 37.5 deg F and the stainless growler came out at 39.2 deg F. Why the difference? I’m not sure, but I theorize it’s related to the insulation capabilities of the stainless growler.

This is very early on in the test. Notice the condensation on the standard growler. Notice no condensation at all on the stainless growler.

The starting ambient temp was 82.1 deg F. I picked up a Taylor 9940 Thermometer for this test because of it’s water proof probe and it’s long cable lead.

This picture was taken around first temperature check at 7:50 PM. If you look closely you’ll notice a puddle of condensation running down this table. The stainless growler continues to be bone dry.

First temperature reading standard growler. 61.7 deg F.

First temperature reading stainless growler. 41.4 deg F.

Results:

In the first period of the test, from 6:03 PM to 7:50 PM. The standard growler lost 24.2 degrees vs the stainless growler’s loss of a mere 2.2 degrees. That’s a difference of 22 degrees! 1.23 degrees per hour vs 13.57 degrees per hour. By the time you get to the last period, the standard growler is looking quite a bit better, but the fact is that it’s almost hit ambient temperature. In all over a span of 3.8 hours, the stainless growler lost mere 4.4 degrees.

I tried to perform these two tests in semi-extreme environments. Most of the time you won’t be just sitting a growler out in 80 or 90 degree weather. Performance in more realistic room temperature scenarios should be all the better.

Carbonation:
The question has arisen as to whether it is designed to hold carbonated beverages. I contacted the manufacturer and was told that yes indeed it is designed to work with carbonated beverages. I’ve also tested this myself. I chose to test with carbonated soda water, thinking that the high carbonation level would be a good test. I let the carbonated water sit in the growler for four days. It worked great.

This is a great growler. It looks amazing and the insulation performance blew me away. It also makes it into places that glass isn’t welcome like a pool or beach.

Note: Since this review was published the design of this growler has changed. Search Lifeline Growler on Amazon for current designs and availability

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Rubbermaid Commercial Bus Tubs for Brew Day and Beyond

Rubbermaid Commercial Products FG335100BRN Standard Bus/Utility Box, 7.125 Gal, Brown

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

The Rubbermaid 7-1/8 gallon commercial bus utility box has rounded corners allowing for a smooth transition between doors and other equipment without damage
The 7-1/8 gallon commercial bus utility box has reinforced handle bottom and ribs for added security when carrying
The Rubbermaid 7-1/8 gallon commercial bus utility box features a 5″ deep capacity along with holding up to 7-1/8 gallon of product
Dimension: 21.5″ x 17-1/8″ x 7″, All-plastic, professional construction, 7-1/8 gallon capacity
Bus/Utility Box, undivided, 7-1/8 gallon, 21-1/2″L x 17-1/8″W x 7″H, reinforced handle, bottom & ribs, rounded corners, dishwasher safe, brown, NSF, S.O.S. (Special Order Smallwares) product
Made of durable, commercial grade plastic, with reinforced handles, bottom and ribs for added strength
Rounded corners for easy cleaning

I use these bus tubs (7 gallon size) on brew day and beyond for a number of purposes.

I use these to cart around gear and ingredients – saving trips back and forth.
As brew day starts, I’ll keep a dry/clean bus tub and a wet/needs to be cleaned bus tub. Having two helps me keep clean things clean. That means less unnecessary cleaning.
If I’m using my pump, I’ll keep one below that. It catches drips and also offers a place to store wet items such as stirring spoons, mash paddles, my mash stirring whisk and my equally invaluable 1 gallon pitchers.
The ridges on the bottom make these a great place to drain and dry just cleaned gear.
When these are unused, they stack together to save space and offer a nice place to store brew day items.
Another potential use: ice down your favorite beverages for get-togethers.
See: Bus Tubs for Brew Day & Beyond – Save Time and Effort When You Homebrew

What are others saying? Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “brew” – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Rubbermaid Commercial Products FG335100BRN Standard Bus/Utility Box, 7.125 Gal, Brown – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our Amazon links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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Rubbermaid Commercial Bus Tubs for Brew Day and Beyond

Rubbermaid Commercial Products FG335100BRN Standard Bus/Utility Box, 7.125 Gal, Brown

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

The Rubbermaid 7-1/8 gallon commercial bus utility box has rounded corners allowing for a smooth transition between doors and other equipment without damage
The 7-1/8 gallon commercial bus utility box has reinforced handle bottom and ribs for added security when carrying
The Rubbermaid 7-1/8 gallon commercial bus utility box features a 5″ deep capacity along with holding up to 7-1/8 gallon of product
Dimension: 21.5″ x 17-1/8″ x 7″, All-plastic, professional construction, 7-1/8 gallon capacity
Bus/Utility Box, undivided, 7-1/8 gallon, 21-1/2″L x 17-1/8″W x 7″H, reinforced handle, bottom & ribs, rounded corners, dishwasher safe, brown, NSF, S.O.S. (Special Order Smallwares) product
Made of durable, commercial grade plastic, with reinforced handles, bottom and ribs for added strength
Rounded corners for easy cleaning

I use these bus tubs (7 gallon size) on brew day and beyond for a number of purposes.

I use these to cart around gear and ingredients – saving trips back and forth.
As brew day starts, I’ll keep a dry/clean bus tub and a wet/needs to be cleaned bus tub. Having two helps me keep clean things clean. That means less unnecessary cleaning.
If I’m using my pump, I’ll keep one below that. It catches drips and also offers a place to store wet items such as stirring spoons, mash paddles, my mash stirring whisk and my equally invaluable 1 gallon pitchers.
The ridges on the bottom make these a great place to drain and dry just cleaned gear.
When these are unused, they stack together to save space and offer a nice place to store brew day items.
Another potential use: ice down your favorite beverages for get-togethers.
See: Bus Tubs for Brew Day & Beyond – Save Time and Effort When You Homebrew

This post contains affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our Amazon links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!

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prod:B0001N4700

Hands On: Leland Mini CO2 (and Nitrogen) Regulator

Leland’s Mini CO2 Regulator uses 74 gram CO2 cartridges. These cartridges are about 4.6 times larger than cartridges that are typically used in handheld injectors. The regulator is available in both Ball Lock and Pin Lock Flavors. Additionally Nitrogen Cartridges are an available option.

A look at the regulator, cartridge and ball lock QD combo. Additional options include: A Pin Lock Version and Nitrogen Cartridges. This regulator has a range of 7 to 21 PSI.

Close up of the regulator face. It reads 0 to 30 PSI.

A look at the ball lock QD and connector.

Using my 11 lb capacity digital scale to weigh the regulator and disconnect. This is a beefy little unit. It is solid and well put together. The whole combo comes in at just over a pound and a half.

Installed on a ball lock keg.

When installed, this sticks out approximately 4″.

When installed this sticks up approximately 3.75″.

A close up of the dial.

A close up of the face, installed and at pressure.

For size comparison. Leland regulator next to a handheld injector

For size comparison. 74g cartridge next to a 16g cartridge. A 74g cartridge contains the equivalent of 4.625 16g cartridges.

Stock Photo of the Pin Lock Version of this Regulator

This model differs from other portable handheld CO2 injectors in a couple key ways. First, it has a gauge and you can set the pressure. Your beer stays at the intended pressure automatically. If you’ve used a handheld injector for any length of time, you’ll know what an advantage having a true regulator is. Second, it takes relatively large 74g CO2 cartridges. These cartridges give you the capacity to dispense up to four full 5 gallon kegs. The 74g cartridges are the equivalent of 4.625 16g cartridges. That’s convenient.
Some applications for this regulator…

Small Space Regulator
If you’re in a small space situation, this would make a good everyday regulator. The regulator itself takes up very little room and there is no bulky CO2 tank. If you’re in an apartment or other small space, this gets you serving draft beer without using a lot of room.

Portable Serving
This makes for a great on-the-go regulator.

Nitrogen Serving
Want to serve the occasional beer on Nitrogen but don’t want to buy an additional regulator and tank? More Beer offers Nitrogen Cartridges for this regulator.

Backup – I’m out of CO2 and I want to pour a beer!
I’ve used this as a backup when my main CO2 tank has run out. Swap out the CO2 line for this regulator and you’ve got a temporary solution to keep you up and going until you can get more CO2.

Serve Beers at Alternate Carbonation Levels
This regulator goes up to 30 PSI. That’s plenty to serve high carbonation beers like Hefeweizens and Belgians. If you don’t have a dual or triple pressure setup, you could use this regulator to serve beers at higher pressures. I would not suggest force carbonation with this unit. The 74g cartridges would be pricey. You could carbonate using your existing regulator or just as easily naturally carbonate with priming sugar. After the beer is completely carbonated, use this to serve at the higher pressure.

Saving Partial Cartridges
This particular unit comes with a gas ball lock disconnect and a 74g CO2 Cartridge. A good thing about this setup is… you don’t have to discard partial cartridges. If you decide to serve a 3 gallon keg for a get together, or use this to serve beer from your kegerator in a crunch, you’re able to save the rest of that cartridge for a future use.

The Leland Mini Regulator is well built and has worked great for me since Spring of 2012. It’s small and has a number of handy applications.

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