1 Gallon Glass Demijohn (4.5 Litres)

Traditional 1 Gallon Glass Demijohn

This 1 gallon glass demijohn is the traditional twin-handled UK vessel used for small batches of wine, cider, mead and country wine. Its clear glass body lets you check fermentation, sediment and clarity, while the narrow neck accepts standard demijohn bungs.

One UK gallon is approximately 4.54 litres. This is the total capacity to the brim, so the correct filling level depends on the stage of the recipe and the amount of fermentation activity expected.

Key Features

• Traditional twin-handled glass demijohn
• 1 UK gallon capacity, approximately 4.54 litres to the brim
• Clear glass for checking fermentation and clearing
• Suitable for wine, cider, mead and other small-batch ferments
• Fits standard demijohn bungs and airlocks

How It's Used

This traditional demijohn is particularly useful as a secondary vessel for racking, clearing, conditioning and maturing a 4.5 litre batch. Keeping the finished drink close to the narrow neck helps reduce unnecessary headspace after active fermentation has slowed.

For vigorous primary fermentation, use a larger bucket or leave the headspace required by the recipe. Fruit pulp and heavy foaming are generally easier to manage in a wide-neck fermenter.

Planning a batch? Follow our guides to making wine at home, making cider at home or making mead at home.

What Else Do I Need?

For fermentation, fit a bored rubber demijohn bung with a bubbler airlock. Both are sold separately. Once fermentation has completely finished, a suitable solid bung can be used where the recipe calls for one.

Use a small 5 litre syphon to transfer the drink without pouring or disturbing sediment. Our syphoning and racking guide explains how to make a quiet transfer. Clean the vessel promptly with a suitable brewing cleaner such as VWP Cleaner Steriliser 100g, following the product instructions.

Traditional or Single-Handle Demijohn?

This version is the classic 1 UK gallon, twin-handled shape with a total capacity of about 4.54 litres. The 5 litre single-handle glass demijohn offers slightly more capacity. Both fit standard demijohn bungs, so the better choice comes down to the batch volume and which shape you prefer to handle.

Glass Demijohn Care

• Inspect the glass before every use and do not use it if chipped or cracked
• Do not add boiling liquid or expose the glass to sudden temperature changes
• Support a filled demijohn from underneath; do not rely on the glass handles alone
• Use non-abrasive cleaning tools and store it where it cannot be knocked

Specifications

• Capacity: 1 UK gallon, approximately 4.54 litres to the brim
• Material: Clear glass
• Style: Traditional twin-handled demijohn
• Approximate size: 32cm high × 18cm diameter
• Closure: Standard demijohn bung and airlock, sold separately

Compare other glass and PET vessels in our Demijohns & Carboys collection.