Question about non-beer bottles.

[sillyrob]

I have a bunch of 32oz. bottles from lemonade. If I cleaned them nicely, could I use those instead of buying a bunch of 12oz bottles, caps, and a capper? I figure if you can use soda bottles this shouldn't be a problem.

 

[BrewMedic]

Uh.. I have some PET bottles that I use from time to time, but I buy new caps after each use. Those threads are good hidey holes for the buggies and a Bugger to clean. Twist top bottles have a tendency to leak on you and most brewers will tell you to stay away from them.

Bite the bullet and get you a good capper and some bottles, treat them right and they will outlast you. You may have to replace the crown in the capper after a couple hundred brews. Caps are CHEAP, but it’s your beer man, the only way to find out is to do it and see.

Just my 2 cents... Happy Brewing!

 

[janivar123]

How much carbonation is there in the lemonade?
If you can use simular pressure for your beer its ok

 

[NWMOBrewer]

Call a few local bars to ask to keep their empties. I have only bought bottles is because I wanted a few 22 oz bottles.

 

[sillyrob]

How much carbonation is there in the lemonade?
If you can use simular pressure for your beer its ok

There isn't any, but they come tightly sealed. I guess I could test out the bottles ability to withstand pressure first. I don't mind buying bottles, but I figured if I could use these instead it would just save money since this lemonade is currently 2/$3 at work and I get a discount.

 

[Clann]

Tightly sealed does not mean it will withstand the preassures of bottle carbing.

I personally wouldnt chance it with my beer.

 

[sillyrob]

That's why I figured I'd ask before trying. It's better than, "I used these 32oz bottles and beer is leaking everywhere what do I do?!?!"

 

[rancidcrabtree]

That's why I figured I'd ask before trying. It's better than, "I used these 32oz bottles and beer is leaking everywhere what do I do?!?!"

Good point! Personally I'd get some real bottles and a capper.

 

[abrdnck]

If you can get some grolsch-style swing top bottles, all the better. No capping, and a single person can be closing one bottle off while filling the next. Expensive, though - but keep an eye on kijiji and craigslist, or find someone who drinks them. I got about 60 of them from a neighbour who just expects a few of them returned full every batch.

 

[unionrdr]

I've seen guys in Australia use coke bottles & the like. But my primary concern is,will the plastic give the beer off flavors? They aren't coated on the inside like cooper's PET bottles. I've re-used water bottles with tap water,& a few hours later,it tastes like plastic. I wouldn't chance it unless they were PET bottles designed for beer.

 

[sillyrob]

I've seen guys in Australia use coke bottles & the like. But my primary concern is,will the plastic give the beer off flavors? They aren't coated on the inside like cooper's PET bottles. I've re-used water bottles with tap water,& a few hours later,it tastes like plastic. I wouldn't chance it unless they were PET bottles designed for beer.

They're not PET, they're glass bottles that had lemonade in them originally. They seem to be nice bottles and would rather put them to use than return them for 5 cents. Maybe for mead?

 

[sillyrob]

Never mind, just tested one with carbonated water. Not going to work.

 

[Monkey55]

Uh.. I have some PET bottles that I use from time to time, but I buy new caps after each use. Those threads are good hidey holes for the buggies and a Bugger to clean. Twist top bottles have a tendency to leak on you and most brewers will tell you to stay away from them.

Bite the bullet and get you a good capper and some bottles, treat them right and they will outlast you. You may have to replace the crown in the capper after a couple hundred brews. Caps are CHEAP, but it’s your beer man, the only way to find out is to do it and see.

Just my 2 cents... Happy Brewing!

hummm...

I've been using 2 liter Mr. Beer bottles for about 7 batches now and never had any leak nor have I had a problem with cleaning them or infection.

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