Capping question - help a newbie out!

[Didje]

Hey guys,

In preparing for my first ever bottling session coming up this weekend, and since I have 2 batches to bottle, last night I tried capping a bottle to get the "feeling".
I used a bench capper, a threaded-top 12 oz. bottle and a regular non-twist cap. I had no issues whatsoever getting the cap on the bottle with the bench capper, but the cap wasn't quite tight. In fact, I was able to twist and remove it with the tip of my thumb and index finger only, and using no strength at all.
Is this normal since I didn't use the proper cap? I guess this is why they sell "regular" caps and twist caps, but as I'm a total n00b I figured I'd still ask.
Let me know what you think.

Santé! (cheers!)

 

[Ace_Club]

I'd say your main issue is the use of twist-off bottles. They can be capped with normal caps, but if you're off a little bit, they won't seal perfectly. It's best to use the normal, pop-off top bottles. These will be easier to cap with your current equipment and will almost always form a tight seal.

 

[juslod]

I'd say your main issue is the use of twist-off bottles. They can be capped with normal caps, but if you're off a little bit, they won't seal perfectly. It's best to use the normal, pop-off top bottles. These will be easier to cap with your current equipment and will almost always form a tight seal.

I agree with Ace, it is probably the twist-off bottles. Last thing you want to do is spend the time to cap all of those bottles and find out that you've lost carbonation in most of them!

Grab some regular bottles, it is worth it in the long run

 

[Didje]

Thanks guys!
I don't think I can drink 75 beers before the weekend
I do have a few that are not twist-off. What if, for this time around, I buy twist caps? Will I get a better seal?

 

[Ace_Club]

If it were me, I'd start drinking. Get those bottles empty! :rockin:

As for screw on style caps, I've never used them and will allow someone else to answer that.

 

[xoltri]

I have bottled almost 500 beers in the twist off bottles with a bench capper and have yet to have one that has not sealed properly. I'm in Canada also; I think our twist offs are different than the US ones.

I too noticed that when you first put them on they are easy to remove. However I think the design of the cap means that once the beer carbonates it actually makes the cap tighter. By the time the beer is ready if you closed your eyes you would not be able to tell if it was a commercial twist off or a homebrew twist off - they are the same.

So use your twist offs! You will be 100% fine, especially with the bench capper.

A side note, I've used the twist offs for apflewein and skeeter pee, as well as wine occasionally with great results.