Non-polycarbonate water cooler jug?

[Tofu the Geek]

For years I've been searching for a non-polycarbonate water jug and haven't found much available other than a few remote places that carry glass jugs. Glass isn't practical for me, as I fill up the bottle and have to carry it to work myself and as it is, I can barely manage a 3-gallon plastic jug.

I thought maybe now that polycarbonate's potential evils are well known, that it would be easier to find a replacement. But, I still can't track anything down!

Anyone found anything? My preference is a 3 gallon size, but I'd take a 5 gallon if it's all I could find.

[cristeen]

I know you said not glass, but have you looked into carrying straps for a jug, it makes it much easier to haul around. You can get a 3 gallon glass carboy and there are a couple options for carrying handles. The first link that showed up when I googled it was http://www.homebrewit.com/aisle/3030.

I have trouble keeping plastics straight... is PET safe? If you google PET carboy you'll get some PET options as well.

[Tofu the Geek]

Well I had no idea these things were called carboys! Thanks so much for that alone!

The carrying handles are very cool and I think I need to look into them even if I get something NON glass. In addition to the heaviness of glass, my other worry is winter when I have to walk on super icy, snowy walkways to get to my office. I'd be really scared I'd slip and fall and end up on a heap of broken glass. I'd totally go for glass if it wasn't for the potential safety issue in my situation.

As for PET, I don't know if it's safe either, but after I get the kids to bed I am going to do some research.

[insahmniak]

Thanks for posting this. I'm interested too. We have a polycarb jug for our water. We keep it out of the sun and we seem to go through water pretty quickly, but I'd like to get it replaced. I've seen stainless steel containers - but I think they are also filters and are kind of spendy. I'll be watching this thread for ideas...

[zmom]

Subbing. I've been searching for options too. Better Bottle company makes carboys that are PET but I can't figure out if they will fit onto water coolers.

[cristeen]

I know a standard carboy is shaped and sized just like a standard water jug. And since brewing equipment is fairly standard sized, unless they're selling their own specialty airlocks, caps, etc., I'd imagine they're compatible.

[hobbin_hobbin]

i am looking into this also..thanks for some ideas.