How to move 3 carboys into house and down into basement?

[alan molstad]

I got 3 glass carboys filled with the first wine I have ever made.
But its starting to get cold at night where I live in northern North Dakota, and I need to bring the wine into the house and down into the basement.

The weight of the carboys is an issue.

Its just too hard on my back to lift a full carboy and carry it that far.

suggestions?

 

[David Violante]

The first thought I had was to keep them full and use a dolly with some padding and straps to reduce the effects of bumping and jarring on the glass. The next thought was to split them up into more manageable sizes that you can better carry / move. How close are they to bottling? That could be an option as well.

 

[Rice_Guy]

When we moved to a new house four years back the large volumes were put into square five gallon camping plastic cubitainers with a solid lid. ,,, and four liter sizes were corked and carried on the floorboards.
Since you are at home you could get a hundred foot roll on poly tubing and pump or vacuum, ,,, or if there is a height difference just rack by gravity since you are going to the basement.

What might be easiest is to solid cork and have a younger neighbor carry with a promise of a few bottles. ,,,, I have busted a few glass carboys they need protection as industry style milk crates.

 

[toadie]

Wouldn't it be easier to put them in a milk crate and skateboard / dolly them closer to where they need to be and get some help from a potentially younger, stronger relative, friend, neighbor? Cheers.

 

[vacuumpumpman]

I use the Allinonewinepump to transfer from the garage to the basement. All I need is a longer siphon hose.

 

[Khristyjeff]

These are all great suggestions. What I did however, was to go down the steps backwards and move the carboy gently one step at a time. The 6-7" rise of each step was manageable for me and my bad back.

 

[alan molstad]

The next thought was to split them up into more manageable sizes that you can better carry / move. How close are they to bottling? That could be an option as well.

The grapes were crushed 3 weeks ago about...
I have racked them once.

I think I may do that split into smaller amounts

I have to go down stairs so I dont want to try to use a 2-wheel cart as it would be a bumpy right

 

[alan molstad]

they need protection as industry style milk crates.

Hey now this is some good advice!
The milk crate would make them a lot more safe to carry!

 

[franc1969]

Hey now this is some good advice!
The milk crate would make them a lot more safe to carry!

My carboys are ALWAYS in a milk crate or bucket. Much safer.

 

[ljewels4u]

I usually ferment on my 1st floor but age and bottle etc in my basement so have tried most of the options listed as but what is safest and easiest for me seems to be...is the splitting method.
I rack off primary into 2 5 gallon pails partially filled then move them to the carboy in its spot in the basement.
At this stage usually aeration is recommended so it's pretty easy and I dont need to wait for help.

 

[joemercurio]

I use the Allinonewinepump to transfer from the garage to the basement. All I need is a longer siphon hose.

all in one pump is the way to go. great product.

 

[joemercurio]

My carboys are ALWAYS in a milk crate or bucket. Much safer.

always a smart way to go with the milk crates.

 

[Snafflebit]

are carboy handles safe to use on FULL carboys?

 

[alan molstad]

are carboy handles safe to use on FULL carboys?

I would like to know that answer too

 

[Khristyjeff]

They are not. The necks aren't strong enough according to the manufacturers

 

[Gilmango]

For wine I'm lucky to do it all on the ground floor, it is just a question of inside (for warmer primary) or in the garage (bulk aging, just slightly cooler). For beer though I have to carry large (and hot) volumes from upstairs kitchen to downstairs for cooling and fermenting, that's a pain. I did finally just score bigger milk crates which accommodate the 6.5 gallon glass carboys, which are so much more managable and less breakable now. If I keep this up as I get even older I may have to boil the beer in the back yard and/or get a pump system (for now only siphon hoses).

 

[hounddawg]

i like @Rice_,Guy said keep several rolls of silicone hose in several sizes, and use @vacuumpumpman Steve's vac pump
Dawg

 

[wineview]

always a smart way to go with the milk crates.

I build these carboy carriers and use dollies.

 

[jburtner]

How cold will it get in the current space? Cold stabilization over the winter months can be helpful.

 

[jburtner]

In the event that it get's "Cold AF" where you're wine is currently stored - Wine freezes around 23*F depending on ABV so some reflectix, heating pad, and a packing blanket or two could keep it above freezing AND cold enough to allow good cold stabilization over the winter.. I'd consider other options than moving it. Moving full carboys always makes me very nervous.

Cheers!
-johann