tchuklobrau

Recipes 

I have an extremely sentimental batch getting ready to bottle soon, and thought id like to wax dip the bottle necks as opposed to using shrink tubes. Does any one have experience using wax that could share the technique with me? Whats the best way to melt the wax? Will i need any special tools? Any help would be appreciated.

audger

Recipes 

you can use a double boiler on the stove.

not sure if there is a specific wax to use, the wax on makers mark bottles and similar all feel slightly harder/thicker than normal candle wax. the thickness does have to do with the temperature of the wax at application. if its too hot you will only get a thin film.

there are videos of wax dipping on youtube (of course)

scottland

Recipes 

I wax dipped some bottles: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f12/dfh-120-minute-clone-259314/index5.html#post3388462

They turned out really nice. I followed the advice of this thread:
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/hot-glue-bottle-wax-experiment-127485/

What I learned from it:
-I used a ratio of 12 crayons and 20 glue sticks (if you use the mini ones, it's more like 36). The consistency was good.
-A double boiler won't provide enough heat. I heated my wax in a soup can i stuck in the oven. If you have a gas stovetop, that'll work.
-Stir, stir and stir. You have to keep the consistency even.
-I needed about 16 crayons and 50 mini glue sticks to do 40 bottles. It was barely enough.
-The visual effect is really cool, it's worth the effort.

I'm brewing a big Russian Imperial Stout soon that I plan to do the same with only in black or grey.

tchuklobrau

Recipes 

thanks for the info. lol i forget about you tube, found a ton of video there.

Mike M

Recipes 

Prior to dipping, I wrap a piece of packing tape (the kind embedded with fibers) around the cap - leaving a little tag end unattached. To remove the wax one merely unwraps the tape. I'm not sure if you can see it in the attached photo.

maffewl

Recipes 

I now must try this.

__________________
_

Digital Temperature Controller build:
Click Here

Bottle Cutter build:
Click Here

maffewl

Recipes 

Are those milk applied labels from a laser printer? I have yet to make any labels for my batches, and since I'm kegging, I've never wanted to. But, I'm probably going to be giving some away this holiday season, and those labels look slick.

__________________
_

Digital Temperature Controller build:
Click Here

Bottle Cutter build:
Click Here

Mike M

Recipes 

Yep, laser printed with milk glue. After the milk is dry I spray the label with a light coat of polyurethane, or hair spray - depending on what I have on hand.

spenghali

Recipes 

Good call on the tape. I am dipping in a few weeks for an Old Ale that will have the first one popped around xmas next year. I was planning on using a twist tie instead of the tape, but those look good, maybe I'll do it that way.

tchuklobrau

Recipes 

thanks for all the input. the wax dipping turned out good. labels on. bottles were well recieved. there were many tears shed by the fortunate few that got a bottle.