I did the same thing, except it pushed the cap out of the bottom end, and everything landed in the sink.
My first couple of hydrometers broke in the flask as well. I’ve had my current hydrometer about seven years. When I put it in an empty flask, I keep my index finger on it and slide it in carefully, moving it down until it is resting on the bottom. Even when the flask has liquid in it, I ease it in. I check it now and again in plain water and it’s doing fine. At this point it’s the only glass in my process, unless I’m forgetting something, and it’s kind of an old friend.
I haven’t read all the other posts but just gonna say at this level there isn’t going to be any difference in quality of beer between plastic and glass except for the instances where you are aging the beer long term. In that case I do agree glass is slightly superior but only slightly. If you think there is no ingress on the rubber bunch and air lock on glass carboys you haven’t really thought this through.
Glass fermenter use is limited to sours for me.
For you guys using something other than glass…can you still use a Fermwrap on them. Just wondering if either the heat or the electricity is a problem on plastic or stainless.
I use my Brew Belt on my fermentation kegs with no issue.
You need to brew more, Dave! 
I’ve always used plastic Better Bottles. It’s what we started with. I use ferm wraps on them for just about every batch.
Though I have no issues with the Better Bottles, I won’t be buying anymore. Buckets are easier. They store way better, easier to clean, protect from UV better, and have a built in handle for easy carrying.
My uncle brought home about 8 glass carboys one day. I refuse to use them. They are collecting dirt in the barn. I’d rather end up with a rare infected beer (though probably not dependent to plastic) than to break glass and chance slicing my wrists. With your experience, your choice should be very easy.
Successfully used a fermwrap on better bottles, buckets, vantage plastic carboys and spiedel fermenters. No issues, but sometimes it is a challenge to get them taped down on the uneven exteriors.
Well I brewed yesterday and used a plastic bucket. This morning it’s bubbling away, and I don’t expect to have any problems. Thanks for the discussion on Fermwrap; I was actually wondering if that was an option.
+1 for the Speidel Fermenters.
I’ve broken a couple of Glass Carboys, but thankfully never with a fresh batch of wort. Mine have all broken during cleaning from just being a little too careless.
Needless to say, that was enough to convince me to switch to plastic. I have tried Buckets, Plastic Carboys, and then finally stuck with Speidel plastic Fermenters.
The plastic Carboy was much too thin. It was easily distorted and hard to clean just like a glass carboy but with the added fear of scratching.
Buckets are nice and cheap, sometimes there is no activity in the airlock making you wonder if the seal is really sealing correctly. Then there’s also the pain of taking the lid on and off. But on a budget, it is clearly a great choice.
The Speidel Plastic fementers are great! Super easy to clean. I have only ever had to wipe with a wet paper towel or my hand to clean. They are super sturdy. The walls of the fermenter are not going to dent like the plastic Carboys. You have the option of putting the included spigot on the bottom to easily take gravity readings and to make transfers to secondary or keg.
Ultimately I would like to make the move to Stainless, but I also want to step it up when I do, so it would be a very costly move. For now though, I am more than happy with the Speidel Fermenters.
Best Regards,
Blain