Heat Shrink Sleeves

[rodwha]

SWMBO made a cranberry and apple wine maybe a year ago, and it's past time to bottle, and I'm attempting to get her situated with an inexpensive hand corker and corks. Are the heat shrink sleeves necessary? And if so is a good hairdryer enough to shrink them or do we need to get the expensive heater thing that looks like a hairdryer?

 

[EJay]

The capules are not necessary, they just look nice.

 

[rodwha]

It seems the wax seal is necessary from what I read, especially if using #3 corks. Is this right? Or is this for aging purposes?

 

[DoctorCAD]

They do look good, an inexpensive heat gun from Harbor Freight shrinks em right down.

I rarely use mine anymore.

 

[rodwha]

What I read stated the heat shrink sleeves don't do a good job, that the wax does much better.

I am looking at a cheap deep fryer and faux wax.

 

[TexasWine]

You don't need to seal the bottles with wax.

 

[rodwha]

No need even if aged for a year or two?

I've ordered #3 corks as they were the only ones MoreWine offered in a smaller quantity since we had to buy other things too.

 

[rodwha]

I bought to the faux wax.

 

[DrewschBag]

I use my tea kettle for the heat shrinkers. Takes one or two bottles to get the hang of it but put some water in it and wait until you see some steam. Then shrink them by pressing on the rounded side of the kettle or just holding them over the steam. My wife's hairdryer wouldn't do the trick. It is relatively new and doesn't get as hot as the old ones.

 

[oogaboogachiefwalkingdeer]

Most bottles take a number 9 cork.

 

[vNmd]

I use a small sauce pan and boil water then dunk the shrink sleeves in for a few seconds. Does a nice job.

 

[TexasWine]

No need even if aged for a year or two?

Nope. Wax isn't needed. Looks snazzy though.

Just opened a bottle of two year old Malbec/Shiraz and it was wonderful.

 

[Yooper]

Most bottles take a number 9 cork.

Right. And the smallest bottles (forget what they are called) use #7 corks.

I think you are using beer bottles or something if you're using #3 corks?

In any case, the heat shrinks don't 'do' anything- they just dress up the bottle.

I'm cheap, and I put the heat shrink on right when I give the bottle as a gift (so I can inspect the cork first- don't put it on earlier!). I stick it on, and hold it over my gas range's medium burner. It shrinks right on there, no problem.

 

[rodwha]

Reused wine bottles mostly.

But I bought the faux wax for her to use after reading what I did...

 

[BamaProud]

hairdrier worked for me.

I filled some wine bottles with Bourbon to smuggle them onto a cruise ship. They allow 1 botle of wine(or Bourbon disguised as wine) per person.

 

[rodwha]

Smooth move!

ipe:

 

[DoctorCAD]

No need even if aged for a year or two?

I've ordered #3 corks as they were the only ones MoreWine offered in a smaller quantity since we had to buy other things too.

I've got 4 year old wine without shrink capsules or wax.
#9 x 1 1/2 corks do the job.