Homebrew Canners - Can Seamers

[Morrey]

OK>>>>>My All American Can Seamer I ordered 7/2 is on the UPS truck out for delivery today! Drop shipped from WI and ready to try it out.

Cans and lids ready to go.

Working on a label design with a graphic artist, then will have some generic labels printed with a blank space to write beer name. When I share beers now, I'll be very proud to have a professional look and will never have to ask the person to try and remember to save the bottles.

 

[JMathie77]

OK>>>>>My All American Can Seamer I ordered 7/2 is on the UPS truck out for delivery today! Drop shipped from WI and ready to try it out.

Cans and lids ready to go.

Working on a label design with a graphic artist, then will have some generic labels printed with a blank space to write beer name. When I share beers now, I'll be very proud to have a professional look and will never have to ask the person to try and remember to save the bottles.

Good to hear, I can't wait to see what you come up with!!!!

 

[treacheroustexan]

OK>>>>>My All American Can Seamer I ordered 7/2 is on the UPS truck out for delivery today! Drop shipped from WI and ready to try it out.

Cans and lids ready to go.

Working on a label design with a graphic artist, then will have some generic labels printed with a blank space to write beer name. When I share beers now, I'll be very proud to have a professional look and will never have to ask the person to try and remember to save the bottles.

Following this! Excited to see how this works out for you.

 

[Morrey]

Good to hear, I can't wait to see what you come up with!!!!

Great! I am working with Chris Chew and I thank you again for initiating the contact with him! I also called Sticker Giant and have suggestions from them I passed on to Chris.

Following this! Excited to see how this works out for you.

I'm really excited too...the canner/seamer is in my office (just got here) and looks very solid and nicely built! Ready to give it a test after I sit down and study the mechanics and design. Vendor says he replaced the hand crank with a cordless drill to turn the machine, but I think I'll use the hand crank at first to get the "feel" of the machine's action. Once confident with that, I can motorize the seamer with a drill on slow speed.

 

[jready]

Great! I am working with Chris Chew and I thank you again for initiating the contact with him! I also called Sticker Giant and have suggestions from them I passed on to Chris.



I'm really excited too...the canner/seamer is in my office (just got here) and looks very solid and nicely built! Ready to give it a test after I sit down and study the mechanics and design. Vendor says he replaced the hand crank with a cordless drill to turn the machine, but I think I'll use the hand crank at first to get the "feel" of the machine's action. Once confident with that, I can motorize the seamer with a drill on slow speed.

Could you share Chris’ contact info if he is open to it? I have been using generic “hello my name is” stickers for mine. They get a laugh but I’d love to upgrade

 

[Morrey]

Could you share Chris’ contact info if he is open to it? I have been using generic “hello my name is” stickers for mine. They get a laugh but I’d love to upgrade

Sure. If you PM me with your email address, I'll send to Chris so he can initiate contact with you directly.

BUT...I like the "hello my name is" sticker idea!!

 

[Morrey]

OK...the verdict is in! I LOVE this new AA canner/seamer. Set it up last night and of course wasted about 7 or 8 cans adjusting the machine...but I got it running like a sewing machine now. Test sealed a 4 pk of cans and stored then in the fridge upside down on a paper towel to test for seepage or leaks. Towel was dry this morning so I'll assume all is ok....plus the cans feel full and firm, not squishy like they lost carbonation. Still learning of course.

But, I love the canning process compared to bottling. I purged the cans with a shot of CO2 after rinsing in StarSan, then filled with my Perlick flow control taps. Made a beautiful pour and got just a tiny bit of foam on top so I'd be seating the lid on foam. A bit of foam pushed out and ran down the sides, but my understanding is this is desirable to eliminate O2.

Super glad I got the AA...now label design is underway with printing to follow.

 

[JMathie77]

Great! I am working with Chris Chew and I thank you again for initiating the contact with him! I also called Sticker Giant and have suggestions from them I passed on to Chris.



I'm really excited too...the canner/seamer is in my office (just got here) and looks very solid and nicely built! Ready to give it a test after I sit down and study the mechanics and design. Vendor says he replaced the hand crank with a cordless drill to turn the machine, but I think I'll use the hand crank at first to get the "feel" of the machine's action. Once confident with that, I can motorize the seamer with a drill on slow speed.

What suggestions did sticker giant give you just for future reference? Thanks!

 

[czmkid]

Cool I was waiting to hear back! This would be great to take a few beers to a tasting or the river/lake. Keep posting up as you learn more.

Also wanna see the label......when you finalize the design.

 

[Morrey]

What suggestions did sticker giant give you just for future reference? Thanks!

Mainly was relating to the technical considerations used with the design program InDesign and the bleed (edge) that a label is designed with. But lots of this information went out the window when I was told the matte label was basically my only real choice since I wanted to write on the label with a sharpie. I had wanted to print on a transparent label so the silver of the can could be seen in areas, but was told the transparent label material wouldn't accept a Sharpie. The matte is fine for now.

 

[Morrey]

Cool I was waiting to hear back! This would be great to take a few beers to a tasting or the river/lake. Keep posting up as you learn more.

Also wanna see the label......when you finalize the design.

I was totally bummed out by bottling even in small quantities so canning seems like a dream come true. Filling a can is basically like filling a beer glass from a tap. Love it!

I'll post a copy of the label when done, plus I'll put my new logo on as my sig.

 

[mongoose33]

Mainly was relating to the technical considerations used with the design program InDesign and the bleed (edge) that a label is designed with. But lots of this information went out the window when I was told the matte label was basically my only real choice since I wanted to write on the label with a sharpie. I had wanted to print on a transparent label so the silver of the can could be seen in areas, but was told the transparent label material wouldn't accept a Sharpie. The matte is fine for now.

I'd like to see that for sure....there's a newer "industrial" sharpie out there that is more indelible than the standard one. Can you find a few cans with the transparent material on which you could try that newer sharpie?

Here's what I'm talking about:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I0VMJK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[goldenknotslim]

OK...the verdict is in! I LOVE this new AA canner/seamer. Set it up last night and of course wasted about 7 or 8 cans adjusting the machine...but I got it running like a sewing machine now. Test sealed a 4 pk of cans and stored then in the fridge upside down on a paper towel to test for seepage or leaks. Towel was dry this morning so I'll assume all is ok....plus the cans feel full and firm, not squishy like they lost carbonation. Still learning of course.

But, I love the canning process compared to bottling. I purged the cans with a shot of CO2 after rinsing in StarSan, then filled with my Perlick flow control taps. Made a beautiful pour and got just a tiny bit of foam on top so I'd be seating the lid on foam. A bit of foam pushed out and ran down the sides, but my understanding is this is desirable to eliminate O2.

Super glad I got the AA...now label design is underway with printing to follow.

I would recommend a much more thorough inspection if you intend to give the cans to others.
The most simple method I use is simply putting a can down on the ground horizontally and standing on the side of it. I weigh 190 and can even bounce a little without the lid failing. If anything you want the bottom or side to fail first.
You never know if the cans will be left in a hot car etc. after they have left your control.

 

[goldenknotslim]

Finished seam width and height are a good indicator but tearing down lets you measure cover hook and body hook, along with visually confirming "tightness"
The modded opener can also turn any can into a 360 lid!

 

[Morrey]

I'd like to see that for sure....there's a newer "industrial" sharpie out there that is more indelible than the standard one. Can you find a few cans with the transparent material on which you could try that newer sharpie?

Here's what I'm talking about:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I0VMJK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Thanks @mongoose33. I was making an order of a few office supplies, so I added the Sharpies in my cart.

 

[Morrey]

I would recommend a much more thorough inspection if you intend to give the cans to others.
The most simple method I use is simply putting a can down on the ground horizontally and standing on the side of it. I weigh 190 and can even bounce a little without the lid failing. If anything you want the bottom or side to fail first.
You never know if the cans will be left in a hot car etc. after they have left your control.

Good suggestion. I did some "firm" squeezing, but I'll try the stand on the can test as you posted.

 

[peoples22]

How was using a drill over the hand crank? That was my only reservation about this unit was getting an arm workout along with canned beer.

 

[Morrey]

How was using a drill over the hand crank? That was my only reservation about this unit was getting an arm workout along with canned beer.

To be honest I haven't tried the drill on the shaft yet. I've been working on label designs, label materials, etc so I haven't canned anything since I made my initial adjustments.

I actually called All American and talked with a tech rep who works exclusively on their can seamers. I just wanted to hear it from him (AA) that using a drill wouldn't mess up the unit or void the warranty. Believe it or not - he actually gave the cordless drill method a nod of approval. He said to use a drill with good torque (I have an 18V DeWalt) and take it slow so I can stop the drill as soon as the second roller moves away from the can. He said LOTS of users are doing this vs getting the electric model.

If I was going to use the manual only mode, I'd now know to get the flywheel model. But I had the drill concept in my mind all along so the hand crank was the least expensive option. Will test soon and post back.

 

[peoples22]

To be honest I haven't tried the drill on the shaft yet. I've been working on label designs, label materials, etc so I haven't canned anything since I made my initial adjustments.

I actually called All American and talked with a tech rep who works exclusively on their can seamers. I just wanted to hear it from him (AA) that using a drill wouldn't mess up the unit or void the warranty. Believe it or not - he actually gave the cordless drill method a nod of approval. He said to use a drill with good torque (I have an 18V DeWalt) and take it slow so I can stop the drill as soon as the second roller moves away from the can. He said LOTS of users are doing this vs getting the electric model.

If I was going to use the manual only mode, I'd now know to get the flywheel model. But I had the drill concept in my mind all along so the hand crank was the least expensive option. Will test soon and post back.

Awesome, thanks for update and keep us posted. I am definitely looking into the AA unit as my entry into canning even though I really like the Oktober unit but it's well outside my price range.

 

[Morrey]

Awesome, thanks for update and keep us posted. I am definitely looking into the AA unit as my entry into canning even though I really like the Oktober unit but it's well outside my price range.

Yeah, the Oktober unit is sweet albeit twice the price I paid according to the prices I came up with. Being that I already have a nice cordless drill to power the AA, I am going to end up with something close to the way a $2,200 AA electric seamer operates for 1/3 the price.

I'll post back after I have a few sessions under my belt and get a better feel for the operation. The vendor I used has a seamer like mine run by a cordless drill, and he says they use it all the time canning home brew for students in his classes. He owns a LHBS which gives brewing lessons, so lots of beer is being canned at his store as he teaches new brewers how to get started. Looks like his machine is getting moderately high volume, so maybe this starter canner will end up being more satisfactory in the long run than originally thought.

 

[Morrey]

I would recommend a much more thorough inspection if you intend to give the cans to others.
The most simple method I use is simply putting a can down on the ground horizontally and standing on the side of it. I weigh 190 and can even bounce a little without the lid failing. If anything you want the bottom or side to fail first.
You never know if the cans will be left in a hot car etc. after they have left your control.

I filled two cans with highly carbed beer for testing. Can 1 was left on the dash of my truck (all afternoon) with the windows rolled up. Outside temp was 95F, and with the sun beating down, I figure 135-140F in the truck or there about.

Can 2 was my stand on and jump on can. I did two tests - one I stood on can laying on its side with my full weight, second test was putting a 2 x 4 on the horizontal can as a platform and semi-bouncing on the can.

Both cans held pressure with no leaking. Can 2 got sort of dented up but no leaks. Can 1 in the hot truck looked swollen slightly, but no leaking. I suppose these were the type of tests I should have done, so testing complete with no failures. Thanks for the suggestions and I know what you mean....better safe than sorry.

 

[Morrey]

I'd like to see that for sure....there's a newer "industrial" sharpie out there that is more indelible than the standard one.

Industrial Sharpies coming in today. Sticker Giant is sending a sample pack of their various label materials to see which material is my choice. Transparent label material will be included.

 

[plazola86]

I made a working table top deal for mine. Holder for beer gun sanitizer, holder for beer filling and room to work on.

 

[plazola86]

I wasn't successful with attaching a drill. Out of all the times I tried the cans never sealed right, with the hand sealed cans I was able to stand on it with my full 240 pounds of beef! tried it with soda and heard a nice CO2 pop every time.

 

[smcinco]

Would anybody be able to post a link to can/lid blanks?

 

[Morrey]

Would anybody be able to post a link to can/lid blanks?

I bought my AA can seamer and cans/lids from a seller on eBay, LionBrewingSolutions. I couldn't get a link to work on eBay, but if you go to eBay and search, you can find #202 cans that fit Oktober and AA can seamers.

 

[grassfeeder]

I bought my AA can seamer and cans/lids from a seller on eBay, LionBrewingSolutions. I couldn't get a link to work on eBay, but if you go to eBay and search, you can find #202 cans that fit Oktober and AA can seamers.

Any update on the labels?

 

[Morrey]

Any update on the labels?

Think I'm close. Sticker Giant is helping me tweak the final proof. I was heading in the direction of lots of art and stuff...then I decided it was too busy. I'm backtracking and just using my logo with a simple arched outline with rounded corners and white space to write the beer name. Sometimes simple is the best approach to understated elegance.

I got the hand drill running the AA seamer like a swiss watch. Cans are flawless. Of course now that I'm into canning, the tax tariff has scared folks and my cans have jumped up 22%. Just my luck! LOL

 

[jready]

Thanks to Morrey’s referral here is my new label

 

[augiedoggy]

theres a brewery near my cabin that has a canning machine on the counter, the owner told me he bought the canner for $1200 and change. But he told me to be careful because some canners only accept cans that can cost up to twice as much and he has to buy his cans in large pallet orders to get a decent price on them? anyone else know anything about this? I'm considering buying a canner for a nanobrewry.. not sure on (can) size yet.