Corking your Belgian bottles with a Portuguese corker - Page 2

camiller · 01-19-2010, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikefoolery

What about mushrooming the cork for an authentic look? Any ideas?

You don't do anything special. The cork is that big and the part that is not compressed naturally "mushrooms". Belgian beer corks do not have as pronounced a "mushroom" as champagne corks because champagne corks are 29.5mm while Belgian corks are 25.5mm in diameter. Wine cork sizes are #7 - 20mm (10/16"), #8 - 21mm ( 11/16" ), #9 - 22mm (7/8").

info from http://www.weekendbrewer.com/corksequipment.htm

jeffcosgrove · 12-14-2010, 09:21 PM

Do you think this would work to cork Belgian bottles?

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/atq/2084071659.html

Thanks.

**Saccharomyces** · 12-15-2010, 04:52 PM

Looks like it could work but it may be tricky since there isn't an Iris compressing the cork as it goes in. I would pass, a Portugese corker is about $70 new or you can probably rent one from your LHBS for a modest fee and a deposit if you won't be using one often.

jeffcosgrove · 12-15-2010, 05:31 PM

Thanks, that's what I needed to know. I'm asking my mother-in-law to get me the Portugeuse for Christmas since I have a Belgian Golden Strong that will be ready to bottle shortly thereafter.

nediver · 11-05-2011, 10:57 AM

This worked awesome. Saved me a huge hassle and time.

**dstar26t** · 12-14-2011, 12:32 PM

I found that if you just leave the handle down on the Portuguese corker after installing the cork while you fill the next bottle, the exposed cork holds it's compressed state from the iris longer when released. You can pull it right out of the bottom easily because it doesn't spring back to shape as fast. No tools needed. Just give it 10 seconds before you lift the handle up and remove the bottle.
Also for the hoods, you can put an allen wrench in a drill and twist them that way. I don't like the slight hex imprint it puts on the wire so I use a bent piece of stainless tubing in the drill.

Azurecybe · 12-22-2011, 05:28 PM

My corker locks when the handle is depressed. Probably to keep the bottle in place.

Also, some Belgian corks are treated and should not be sanitzed again as they come that way straight out of the bag.

bknifefight · 12-22-2011, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azurecybe

Also, some Belgian corks are treated and should not be sanitzed again as they come that way straight out of the bag.

I had never heard that. Why should they not be sanitized again? You can't oversantize something, can you?

Azurecybe · 12-22-2011, 06:29 PM

The corks from morebeer state they are treated and should not be resanitized. Not sure about all suppliers though.

**rawlus** · 01-01-2012, 06:22 PM

wineries don't sanitize corks... now, theirs are usually being dumped from a sulfur-gassed bag, but i think the concern for santizing corks is a bit overstated. likewise for bottle caps (i use O2 absorbing caps so i don't want to wet them before use)
I have seen winemakers DIY gas their corks by using a small bucket with a false bottom - make a strong K-meta solution under the false bottom and put all the corks over the top - they get the gas but not the wet of the solution.