First Time Bottling

[chmcgrat]

Hi, guys.
So I am wanting to bottle my second batch of hard cider (my first batch using the proper sanitary methods and equipment.) I want to carbonate it in the bottles, so I was hoping to be able to reuse some empty pry-off-cap MGD bottles. Is this a good idea, or am I better off to buy fresh unused bottles? Also, any tips on which type of capper to use? I haven't purchased one yet and I don't know the first thing about how to actually cap them.

Any input is appreciated! Thank you

 

[ThePope]

i am 99% sure mgd will not work as they are twist off (where im from) and clear bottles. capping twist offs is a lost cause. I have a "red capper" for lack of better term, and it works, ive capped a couple hundred beers, but ive since moved on to kegging as im sure you some day will. You are just starting your journey down the rabbit hole, i recommend you drink/find some bottles that have similar necks as samuel adams

 

[Transamguy77]

+1 to thepope, twist offs can be a problem. Using old bottles is fine as long as they are washed well, I went to a recycling center and got lots of pry offs for free, all they needed was a good cleaning.

If you haven't bought a capper yet then you still have time to acquire some pry off bottles. I also have "the red" capper, 2 actually they work well.

 

[chmcgrat]

i am 99% sure mgd will not work as they are twist off (where im from) and clear bottles. capping twist offs is a lost cause

As I said, they are pry-off, not twist-off. Is there any reason why cider can't be bottled in clear bottles?

 

[Syncman]

All the cider kits I have seen, including the MR Beer kit that I have, come with clear bottles.

 

[flars]

MGD pry off cap bottles are most likely the older bottles made with thicker glass than the newer twist offs.

The Super Agata bench capper would be a good purchase. A bench capper can securely cap all styles of bottles that use a 26 mm crown cap. The wing cappers cannot grip the flange on some styles of bottles used by US breweries.

A 29 mm bell is also available to cap some European style bottles.

 

[dancingfetus]

also, clear, blue and green bottles offer less protection from light. if the bottles are kept in a dark area, then they wont be effected as much, but if they are exposed to light, then they can be a bit skunky.

http://www.popsci.com/science/artic...ou-should-never-drink-beer-clear-glass-bottle

 

[55x11]

also, clear, blue and green bottles offer less protection from light. if the bottles are kept in a dark area, then they wont be effected as much, but if they are exposed to light, then they can be a bit skunky.

http://www.popsci.com/science/artic...ou-should-never-drink-beer-clear-glass-bottle

Skunk flavor is due to UV light causing degradation of hops. If your drink does not involve hops (cider, mead etc.) it's not an issue.