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Darth Konvel · 09-20-2005, 04:09 PM

Well, I just bottled my first batch this past Sunday, and I think I have a problem.

My question to everyone is, how secure are the caps suppose to be? They don't appear to be on there very well. I even had a couple bottles that I guess I didn't line up properly, or apply enough pressure to, as their caps came right off when I happened to grab the top of the bottle

Additional info:
I'm using on old bench capper that my dad used when he homebrewed, so it's pretty old. It probably hasn't seen use for at least 15 years, so I made sure to grease it up. It seemed to operate as it should anyways.

The bottles are a mix of generics from the LHBS and Warsteiner bottles. Standard gold colored caps.

**Walker** · 09-20-2005, 04:15 PM

they should be secure enough that you can't pry them off with your fingers for sure. I also always check one day after bottling by putting my ear to each bottle and carefully listening for any 'hiss' caused by escaping CO2.

I HATE capping bottles. I always feel like they are not on securely.

I expect that you'll soon be buying some EZ Cap flip-top bottles. No doubts with those.

-walker

Darth Konvel · 09-20-2005, 04:42 PM

Right now I'm pretty tempted to skip the EZ's and find some cornies (fridge space be damned.)

I'll have to wait until I get off work before I can test one of the more secure looking bottles.

2nd Street Brewery · 09-20-2005, 06:15 PM

When I first started bottling I always was afraid of cranking down too hard on my capper. After I broke the one I got with my kit(a wing style capper) in the middle of bottling a batch I started using this old bench style one that I had found when we bought our house. Never bought a new one. Just crank down firmly, you should feel a little pop when it seals.

BBQBrew · 09-20-2005, 08:22 PM

Like everyone else said...batches smaller than 5 gallons are more trouble than they are worth.

You can always use 22oz. bottles...only takes 24!! I usually use the 22oz or the 16oz Grolsch bottles.

Darth Konvel · 09-20-2005, 10:59 PM

Well, I "tested" one of the more securely capped bottles. I started to pry the cap off, but stopped when I heard a little hiss. It was holding pressure (as little as there is at the moment), but I'm still wondering just how well it will be able to hold once fully carbonated.

Ah well, guess I'll just go back to brewing up some more

AHammer16 · 09-21-2005, 12:01 AM

Some commercial bottles have smaller diam. tops than others, i.e. corona bottles. Make sure you aren't using twist off bottles as well.

homebrewer_99 · 09-25-2005, 04:37 PM

You guys are missing the boat...after you cap just lay the bottle down on its side. If it's loose it'll leak.

I've never had a problem with my butterfly cappers...knock on wood.

Darth Konvel · 09-26-2005, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homebrewer_99

You guys are missing the boat...after you cap just lay the bottle down on its side. If it's loose it'll leak.

I've never had a problem with my butterfly cappers...knock on wood.

Funny you should mention that. I did find a bottle that somehow *gasp* was laying on it's side. No leak

They just aren't on as securely as a commercial brew would be.

kenmc · 09-26-2005, 03:35 PM

I use a wing capper also, with no problems.I lock it down hard, release, turn the bottle ~90 degrees and lock it down again. Seems to do the job just fine. I think I broke 2 bottles in like 200 or so doing this. Not a big deal.