Bottle safety question

[BradTheGeek]

There is no rush on this as I have a month or more before bottling, but I just put down some hard cider for my girlfriend. We have some clear swingtop bottles that are french and originally held some sort of sparkling lemonade.

My question is, will these hold up to the pressure of carbonating without becoming bottle bombs. They held a pressurized drink before, but I do not know how much they can hold.

You can see a faint seam down the sides from the bottles manufacturing process, but otherwise they look okay. The bottles were flea market or thrift store finds (the GF likes bottle collecting), so they were empty when received.

I do not see any obvious scratches or chips, so I am thinking they are safe, but I wanted more experienced heads to pipe up. I have plenty of beer bottles, so if need be I can bottle in those.

I am attaching some pics so you can see what they look like. Any input is much appreciated.

 

[neo71665]

The bottles will hold but those seals do go bad over time. I'd replace them and go for it.

 

[BigFloyd]

The bottles will hold but those seals do go bad over time. I'd replace them and go for it.

+1. You can closely inspect those red seals by taking them off and flexing them back and forth, looking for any cracks (no matter how small) and stiffness (they should be flexible). If they're in good shape, apply a little 100% silicone food-grade lube (aka "keg lube") to each one for a reliable seal.

 

[AlCophile]

They DO look cool, but, not worth your eyesight. Yes, I sound like an old fart, but, that's how I got to BE an old fart.
ALWAYS place some kind of barrier between your bottles and people.

 

[BradTheGeek]

They DO look cool, but, not worth your eyesight. Yes, I sound like an old fart, but, that's how I got to BE an old fart.
ALWAYS place some kind of barrier between your bottles and people.

Oh indeed. I was more worried about the resultant mess. They will be in a thick cardboard box or a plastic tub with a lid when carbing up.

I do the same with my beers, except I put the bottles in 12 pack boxes then cover it all with a heavy blanket. The last thing I want is anyone injured when a glass grenade goes off.

Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[AlCophile]

I tend to undercarb. After 1 or 2 beers you don't care about head. I put bottles in a case of 12, place in a trash bag in cellar(in NH!!). Fuggeddaboutit. Make more beer. In 6 mo you have very nice HB. I have 1yr-old Ale. Worth the wait.