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newbie bottling question
 
 
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nucmed24
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Joined: Oct 09, 2007
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 3:33 pm    Post subject: newbie bottling question Reply with quote

I'm preparing for my first batch of Root Beer. I purchased some Homebrew Root Beer extract from the brew shop. I'm noticing that in the directions, and on this website, it talks about using plastic bottles rather than glass (which is all I have from homebrewing beer). What precautions do I have to take if I decide to use plastic? (meaning how do I make sure they don't explode on me) Also, if I decide to use 2 liter bottles, do I just re-use the screw caps that come with the bottles? or are there caps I need to purchase? Just worried about them not being air tight.

Thanks in advance for the info/advice.
  
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kguske
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Joined: Jun 27, 2003
Posts: 349

PostPosted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 11:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Haven't tried with plastic bottles, but I think you should be OK by using the same screw caps that came with the bottles. As for safety, I'd definitely leave some space in the bottle (about the same as it had when you bought it or more space) and open slowly. Plastic milk jugs might be safer than soda bottles since the plastic is generally thicker.
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So heres a tribute toast with root beer in hand to you and the many mugs of suds along your happy trails. --Charles Wysocki, artist and root beer fan, 1928-2002
  
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parsa
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Joined: Dec 15, 2003
Posts: 50
Location: Escondido, CA

PostPosted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 3:04 am    Post subject: Re: newbie bottling question Reply with quote

Make sure it's bottles that can withstand pressure. The milk bottle may not work since the lids aren't tight. Soda bottles are best. Don't use plain water bottles.
Brew shops usually have glass beer bottles, bottle caps and cheap hand cappers.
I use glass bottles with non-screw caps I've already used such as Martinellis Sparkling Apple Juice, 1 liter San Pellegrino, Mexican sodas such as Senorial, etc.

Parsa
  
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KarateExplosion
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Joined: Jul 01, 2007
Posts: 15

PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 3:54 pm    Post subject: Re: newbie bottling question Reply with quote

I've been using plastic with no problems. I think the reason they suggest plastic is because it is very hard to make it explode. If the pressure got too high, I think the weakest point is the seal around the bottle cap, so that would cause it to lose pressure before it exploded.

The other advantage of plastic bottles is you can squeeze them to feel the pressure. So, once you feel them and they feel pressurized, put them in the fridge to stop fermentation. That's what you can't do with glass bottles, you just have to guess at the pressure, and if you guess wrong you get exploding glass bottles.

So for plastic, just put on the cap that came with the bottle, squeeze it once a day or so to see if it is firmly pressurized, and when it is, you've got carbonation.

The only negative to me for plastic bottles is the bottle caps tend to stop being able to hold pressure after a few uses. I've used mine several times, and most of them don't hold pressure more than a few days. I've actually been wondering if there's a place to get lots of bottle caps for cheap, rather than having to buy whole bottles, but I haven't really investigated it. I've noticed that not all bottle caps for plastic bottles are interchangeable also, so it might be hard to find caps that work for my bottles.

Hope this helps.

PS. Using milk bottles seems like a bad idea to me. I don't think they would hold pressure at all, and most of them have really thin plastic. I don't think they would explode, but I don't think they would be able to hold pressure high enough to carbonate either. Just get plastic 2-liter soda bottles. They're made for this exact purpose. They hold the right pressure because that's the pressure they're designed for.
  
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parsa






PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:43 pm    Post subject: Re: newbie bottling question Reply with quote

What you could do if you are using glass is to pour into at least one plastic bottle to use as a check for carbonation.

I managed to find some little 7 ounce glass bottles that I can check without wasting too much of the root beer if they are not quite done. Believe it or not, that was once a standard size for soda pop bottles!

Parsa
  
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crazylawnguy
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Joined: Dec 20, 2007
Posts: 28
Location: mich.

PostPosted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

youre 2 litre bottle from what ive read can take around 200 pound pressure.the bottle will strech before blowing up. what i do is fill the bottle up to the shoulder squeeze it put the lid on.(by closing it squeezed.you know you are fementing and the bottle will go back to regular shape. )leave it sit till you can barely put a dent in it.(this will give you 40 t0 50 pounds pressure)if you need an example buy a new 2 litre and squeeze it.i take the air out becouse air makes it harder to carbonate.
  
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