2 Seperate Plastic Questions

[Chriso]

Hi all -

I've searched extensively on the pros/cons of bottling in plastic, and have found snippets here or there, but cannot find the "end-all" response. So, I'm going to ask the age-old question again, but this time, I'm going to put it into two specific scenarios. Sound okay?

SCENARIO 1)

I have a Blonde Ale that has been in secondary for almost 2 weeks... therefore it is almost time to bottle! I just bottled a batch of porter a week ago, and my stockpile is low, so I was thinking about bottling it into....
Coors Light 16oz plastic screw-top bottles. They are labeled #1 - PETE, which if I recall is roughly the same plastic from Better Bottles. So... am I crazy for wanting to go this route? (My budget for bottles is frozen for a bit due to finances, EVEN if I have beer about to go to ruin!)
Subquestion, these bottles haven't been used before except for the original filling of Coors Light, is it a terrible idea to sanitize and re-use the screwtops?

SCENARIO 2)

This question is far less urgent, but I started a batch of EdWort's Apfelwein last week... and with my current fermentation schedule, I'm gonna need a LOT more bottles once it's done fermenting, as a bunch of un-related batches will all be conditioning at that time... So, I was thinking about bottling it into..........
The original store-brand Apple Juice 1/2gal screw-top containers, which are also labeled #1 - PETE. Should I do it?
My concern here is pressure, as the screw-top lid for these doesn't have NEARLY as many threads as a 16oz Coors PETE bottle.
Also, what's the risk of storing such a large quantity of Apfelwein in a single container? (Besides consuming it. :cross: )

Again, before people jump all over me, SORRY that this question has been asked, in pieces, so many times before. I tried to search for threads, and this subject is one that dodges the search!

 

[Orfy]

#2.

Don't do it. If the containers did not contain a pressurised drink then they probably will not hold up.

#1.
Sounds fine.

 

[IowaStateFan]

I agree with Orfy on both counts. As a matter of fact, I'd like to bottle some brews in plastic because they'd be easier to take camping. Saw a sale on 16 oz Coors light plastic bottles and they were cheaper than buying PET bottles. Of course that means I'd have to rid them of the Coors Light.

 

[Chriso]

#2.

Don't do it. If the containers did not contain a pressurised drink then they probably will not hold up.

#1.
Sounds fine.

Right off the bat, the "end-all" I was looking for! :-D
Thanks a bunch for the quick reply.

 

[Chriso]

I agree with Orfy on both counts. As a matter of fact, I'd like to bottle some brews in plastic because they'd be easier to take camping. Saw a sale on 16 oz Coors light plastic bottles and they were cheaper than buying PET bottles. Of course that means I'd have to rid them of the Coors Light.

I found mine on vacation in Wisconsin - $8.99 for 18 pack of 16 oz. Equivalent of 24-12's. CRAZY prices.

Here in NE, I haven't been able to find more of these anywhere.

Also worth noting - once a guy from my work got a 12-pack of Miller Lite as a present from someone who remembered seeing him drinking a ML in an old snapshot, and mistakenly thought it was his favorite! ... To get rid of the beer, the guy dumped it into his primary fermenter with a "kitchen sink" brew he had just finished. That's one way to lighten up a brew!!

 

[jesse]

#2.

Don't do it. If the containers did not contain a pressurised drink then they probably will not hold up.

#1.
Sounds fine.

before i started kegging i brewed half in plastic and half in glass.There was no difference between the 2.. I used mostly 1 liter aquafina bottles..they hold pressure just like glass. i did use just about any other kind of plastic bottle besides that..I've even used gatoraid bottles. The only bottle that didn't work for me was a one gallon arizona green tea bottle which i would probably compare to your apple juice bottle..Zypherhills' bottles don't work either. try a few and judge for yourself..I used to hate bottling and find the biggest bottles i could.Now i keg..

 

[Philip1993]

has been in secondary for almost 2 weeks... I have beer about to go to ruin

RDWHAHB. Your beer has at least two more weeks before you even need to start worrying. If I had to choose between questionable containers and 8 weeks in the carbuoy, I'd take the 8 weeks in the carbuoy.

 

[abracadabra]

I've used the Miller lite pet bottles and reused the caps. No problems they work great!

It's hard to find the Coor's in plastic around here or I'd have bought it instead as the main reason I got the Miller was for the bottles.

My LHBS who sells new pet bottles and caps says the caps are good for at least 3 or 4 uses.

Any caps from pet bottles that are carbonated will work, Coke, Pepsi, you name it just don't use caps from water bottles or non carbonated drinks as there is no plastic liner to hold the pressure.

My LHBS sells the bottles for $18 a case and $3.50 for the caps. The way I look at it is I getting the Miller lite for a $2.50 a case. Or I could figure I'm buying a case of beer and getting $21.50 worth of bottles and caps for free.

Also according to Doug the LHBS owner of "Just Brew It" the plastic bottles are the best way to insure no bottle bombs. As a matter of fact he says he won't sell a Mr. Beer Kit unless they buy plastic bottles from him.

 

[Chriso]

RDWHAHB. Your beer has at least two more weeks before you even need to start worrying.

Sorry if that was unclear, the "about to go to ruin" comment was a reflection on the fact that SWMBO has frozen my funding, even if hypothetical beer should be about to go to ruin.

In fact, I'm half expecting to find that this Blonde ale is ruined already - I ran it through a strainer on its way into the secondary, not thinking about oxidation when I did it. OOPS!

Didn't know that Miller Lite was doing the pint PETE bottles too, I'll have to look around! Damn our local beer market and its lack of diversity!

 

[jesse]

I've used the Miller lite pet bottles and reused the caps. No problems they work great!

It's hard to find the Coor's in plastic around here or I'd have bought it instead as the main reason I got the Miller was for the bottles.

My LHBS who sells new pet bottles and caps says the caps are good for at least 3 or 4 uses.

Any caps from pet bottles that are carbonated will work, Coke, Pepsi, you name it just don't use caps from water bottles or non carbonated drinks as there is no plastic liner to hold the pressure.

My LHBS sells the bottles for $18 a case and $3.50 for the caps. The way I look at it is I getting the Miller lite for a $2.50 a case. Or I could figure I'm buying a case of beer and getting $21.50 worth of bottles and caps for free.

Also according to Doug the LHBS owner of "Just Brew It" the plastic bottles are the best way to insure no bottle bombs. As a matter of fact he says he won't sell a Mr. Beer Kit unless they buy plastic bottles from him.

I'm guessing that you have never tried a plastic water bottle and are just repeating what you have read somewhere??? I've bottled at least 20 gallons in dasani and aquafina bottles. I live in florida and glass bottles aren't allowed at the beach..Plastic ones are. As long as you don't let them sit for 6 months or more the beer will be carbed..For anyone who disagrees with me give it a try on your next batch..

 

[camiller]

Where in Nebraska are you? If you are in or near Omaha I can spot you a couple cases of 12oz glass beer bottles.

 

[jay_mack1]

Chriso,

Where buddy do you live in Nebraska? Here is a thought, start going to bars and asking if they will save corona bottles for ya. try the smaller mom and pop ones.

Jay

Aurora, Nebraska

 

[Chriso]

I'm in Lincoln... so most of the bars' business is BMC twist-off bottles.

I need to start hitting up Yia Yia's, they will often fill a box for you if you leave the box with them for a night.

I haven't found the time to go scavenge lately.... Need to get on it before it gets too freezin' outside!

Edit: Score! One of the faculty at work just popped in to let me know he had a doz bottles that he almost took to Recycling, but tucked aside because he knew i was looking! Woot!

 

[abracadabra]

I'm guessing that you have never tried a plastic water bottle and are just repeating what you have read somewhere??? I've bottled at least 20 gallons in dasani and aquafina bottles. I live in florida and glass bottles aren't allowed at the beach..Plastic ones are. As long as you don't let them sit for 6 months or more the beer will be carbed..For anyone who disagrees with me give it a try on your next batch..

I don't doubt that you've had some success using water bottles.

But there's no way that I'd put my beer in one or advise anyone seeking advice to do so.

In addition to the very real chance that it would loose carbonation because the caps are not designed to hold pressure.

There is also the fact that a clear or almost clear water bottle is going to let your beer become skunked.

Sorry but I just don't like skunky beer.

No way am I not going to take all the time and trouble of brewing to put it in a container that may or may not hold pressure and will definitely skunk my beer.