How long to use rubber seal on swingtop bottles

[Gunshowgreg]

Hey everyone. Last week I got a good deal on some german beer that was bottled with the flip top/ swing top (whatever you wanna call it) bottles. I was wondering how long I can use the seals on these bottles before I need to change then out. If they aren't deteriorated and In good shape are they good? Or are they losing sealing properties that I'm not able to see.

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I also have this big bottle here that is also a swing top. Holds about 1/2 gallon of beer and the seal is larger than most? Anyone ever seen this kind and know where I can get a replacement? Das Altenmunster is the name of it. I attached pics

Thanks everyone

 

[Gunshowgreg]

I forgot to mention I am going to be using these for bottle conditioning of my homebrew.

 

[cubalz]

Back when I used swivels, I switched out the gaskets every couple of years. Sooner if one looked damaged. They are cheap to buy at your LHBS and good insurance against seal failure especially if you are bottle conditioning.

 

[dmtaylor]

They seem to last a long time. I've been using mine for over 10 years and they still seal fine. I have seen gaskets from others that were severely cracked. I assume those were probably 20 years old or stored in sunlight which damages the rubber really bad. Keep them in a cool dark place and they'll last a very very long time.

 

[flars]

Back when I used swivels, I switched out the gaskets every couple of years. Sooner if one looked damaged. They are cheap to buy at your LHBS and good insurance against seal failure especially if you are bottle conditioning.

They seem to last a long time. I've been using mine for over 10 years and they still seal fine. I have seen gaskets from others that were severely cracked. I assume those were probably 20 years old or stored in sunlight which damages the rubber really bad. Keep them in a cool dark place and they'll last a very very long time.

Good advice because it is a difficult question to answer. Gaskets stored exposed to UV will degrade faster than those stored dark and cool. Gaskets that have had long soaks in a cleaner or sanitizer may lose elasticity sooner than those that aren't.

I probably would not risk carbonating in the half gallon bottle. These were filled with carbonated beer. The embossed glass may be too thin to handle the pressures developed during bottle carbonating.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

2 weeks. After that I'd switch to a rubber chicken.

 

[Gunshowgreg]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Bummer about the half gallon bottle. It looks bad ass still though. I'll do my best to keep then in cool dark places

 

[Gunshowgreg]

2 weeks. After that I'd switch to a rubber chicken.

Threw me off with That one lol

 

[EDF713]

Check the gasket every time you empty it. If there is a permanent indentation from the bottle after leaving open for a while, it will probably leak next time you use it. I’ve used the pink rubber replacements and they don’t last more than a few brews. If they’re the softer silicone material they will last much longer.

 

[homebrewer_99]

I change mine out when there is no "snap" left when I close them.

 

[MakeDankBeer]

I recently bottled an IPA in that exact same 1/2 gallon swing top, ill let you know if mine explodes. Ill probably go put it in a plastic bag when I get home

 

[beerlover77]

It also may depend on the tightness of the cage itself. I have do problem using grolsch bottles with replacement gaskets over and over but I had problems with generic bottles and their loose hardware not clamping down hard enough

 

[Gunshowgreg]

I recently bottled an IPA in that exact same 1/2 gallon swing top, ill let you know if mine explodes. Ill probably go put it in a plastic bag when I get home

Let me know how it went. I was thinking today if anything it will make a nice growler. Sorry I didn't see this post. I didn't get any notifications.

 

[MakeDankBeer]

CEFD3747-1392-4131-A4BF-95AAB1B7EEA8

• MakeDankBeer
• Mar 15, 2018

4FC407DE-A225-4822-B96C-E685D1B01790

• MakeDankBeer
• Mar 15, 2018

Carbed fine, spent about 2 weeks in swing top then 2 weeks in the fridge.

 

[MakeDankBeer]

Let me know how it went. I was thinking today if anything it will make a nice growler. Sorry I didn't see this post. I didn't get any notifications.

No worries. I plan on using again for carbing. Seems pretty sturdy

 

[Gunshowgreg]

That's is awesome! Glad it worked out well. Where did you purchase your bottle at if you don't mind me asking?

 

[MakeDankBeer]

That's is awesome! Glad it worked out well. Where did you purchase your bottle at if you don't mind me asking?

I was gifted it by a co-worker, they found out I brewed and gifted it to me.

 

[Gunshowgreg]

That's bad ass boss. I got mine in Turkey. When deployed.