The carbonator cap

Dark_Ale · 06-14-2007, 11:00 PM

I used one of these for the first time today. I had a gallon of beer I made for a starter that turned out well and I wanted to save it. I siphoned into the liter bottle(The beer was cold about 40F) and tried to get as much air out as possible. I poped 20psi of co2 and shook around a little for about a minute.
I put the pressurized bottle in the icebox and I am at work now. I wont be home for about 12hrs. Has anyone had luck with these. I am probably not going to drink it in the morning but I probably need to drop the pressure to 7psi in the morning? Any thoughts?

IBENAK · 06-14-2007, 11:06 PM

They work great. You don't need to bleed off any pressure. Enjoy.

Dark_Ale · 06-14-2007, 11:10 PM

So just leave 20psi on it until I am ready for it?

**Bearcat Brewmeister** · 06-14-2007, 11:19 PM

They are awesome. I have two of them that I got long ago (back when they were $20).

Definitely don't need to bleed it, it bleeds plenty when you take the cap off! I leave mine at 25 psi until drinking because I have some headspace due to how I fill it. For filling it, I have the cap and a towel ready and just fill to about two inches from the top then squeeze the bottle until the beer is just spilling and screw the cap on. Never a worry about getting all of the air out. I shake just like you do for a minute or so.

What kind of 1 liter bottle did you use? I find that some kinds of 1 liter bottles (a few brands of water) have different threads than most 16oz, 20oz, and 2 liter bottles (closer together I think) so I stopped using them.

Dark_Ale · 06-14-2007, 11:33 PM

I used the Sams choice bottle. I soaked it in PBW over night hoping if there was any soda smell it would get it out. Then I rinsed it with hot water, Then I used Idophor for about 10 minutes. After I put 20psi on it I submerged it in a water bath to make sure it was not leaking. No Leaks.....I read somewhere if you overtighten them they may leak but not sure.
I was under the impression that if I left 20psi on the bottle it would be nothing but foam coming out when I got ready to drink it. Its in the icebox now.

**Bearcat Brewmeister** · 06-15-2007, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark_Ale

I was under the impression that if I left 20psi on the bottle it would be nothing but foam coming out when I got ready to drink it. Its in the icebox now.

Depends how much head space you have. If your bottle is very full and your beer was very cold when it went in the bottle and you shook vigorously for a full minute with the gas connected at 20 psi, then it might be a bit overcarbonated, but I don't think it would foam excessively. Like I said, I leave about 2 inches of headspace and that seems to work for me. Never had a gusher.

**Yuri_Rage** · 06-15-2007, 04:24 AM

I use a DIY version of one of these, and I make small batches of soda all the time. It works really well! Mostly, I just carbonate some Crystal Light - makes for an excellent, refreshing soft drink!