Bottles go boom?

[heinz57]

So I bottled last night, primed with 5 oz of dextrose in 2 cups of water for what I thought was a 5 gallon batch. I started filling all the bottles and by the time I got to bottle number 41, the bottling bucket ran out. Apparently I boiled off more then I had planned, and I didn't really notice. Will my priming solution cause the bottles to carbonate too much, or will it end up alright? I plan on opening one in about a week to see if it gushes, but being short about 7 bottles kind of freaked me out.

 

[Lonek]

I usually end up with about 44 12oz bottles when doing a 5 gallon batch I doubt 3 less bottles will hurt, you should be fine.

 

[zoebisch01]

Quite possibly. According to my calculations (sans headspace so this is the best case scenario) you are pushing around 3.75 volumes of C02. The situation is worse if the beer was fermented below 68 F. Most brown bottles are not safe with that amount. Put it this way, I shoot for low 3.0 to 3.2 volumes in my Hefe and those 'pop' a little when you open them. They go strictly into heavy returneable bottles. You will most likely be in the situation where you'll need to relieve some of the pressure by prying up, letting out the pressure and then resealing the caps in about a week or so. This may need to be done twice in your case. Sorry for the bad news

 

[heinz57]

Fermentation temperature was between 70-72. No big deal about the bad news, every experience is a learning one. Is it alright if I just use a bottle opener to pry up the caps? Should I wait another week before checking again or earlier? The bottles are all brand new as well, never been used for anything (and hopefully the first time won't be for bottle bombs).

 

[zoebisch01]

How I'd proceed is let them carbonate at the 70 degrees for a week. Then open one and pour it into the glass. Observe how your levels are doing. If the thing foams up like crazy and starts running out of the bottle you will need to gently pry up on the edge of the cap without creasing it. Then reseal.

If, however, at that point your carbonation seems ok then leave them alone and try another in about a week later. Keep your eyes on them and use your judgement. Let us know how it turns out.

Woohoo 2,000 post.. Not that I care all that much. Just noticed it

 

[heinz57]

Thanks for the help. I'll check on them next wednesday and see what the foam level is at. Haha, 2,000. I'm working on 20.