Uncarbonated Swing-Top

[Segellion]

Hi,

This is my first post on these forums, i've usually been a consistent lurker until now. I've gone through all the threads and I don't think i've come across someone in my exact position, so I need some help.

My dilemma is that I have about 30% of all my glass 500ml swing-tops lose carbonation. I've been dealing with this for nearly a year now and i've tried a number of attempts to rectify the problem. Which include:

• Changing gaskets every batch
• Ensuring the cap was seated in the center of the neck
• Purchasing multiple cases at different times (as to rule-out a manufacturing defect)
• Experimenting with different amounts of Dextrose and DME
• Conditioning in different temperatures

Yet still, after this week i've just got more beer given back to me that's flat. And i'm starting to think that I should consider forced carbonation just to avoid this headache AND wasted beer!

I usually bottle half of my batches in glass and plastic bottles so I can compare the differences in carbonation..which a lot of times there is.

Does anyone have some good advice here?

 

[icebrew]

How tight are they when you seal them. I had a batch that I needed to bend the metal clips so that it was quite difficult to close and my issues with swingtops stopped as well. Always make sure that the tops close tight otherwise you will just lose the co2 out the seal.

Chris

 

[JeepDiver]

I as well tightend my cages and it helped but not 100%. I've got the EZ Cap bottles, and I think some of the plastic tops have small seams that screw things up. I noticed about a year ago, they chagned the bottle to allow caps to be placed on them, my guess is to due to all of the problems (My fischer bottles all do fine).

I finally got to the point of just putting cider in my swing tops, that way if it is not carbed, it is still drinkable.

 

[Segellion]

How tight are they when you seal them. I had a batch that I needed to bend the metal clips so that it was quite difficult to close and my issues with swingtops stopped as well. Always make sure that the tops close tight otherwise you will just lose the co2 out the seal.

Chris

Interesting, yes i've noticed over the months that the metal clips don't hold as tightly as they used to. It's hard to believe though that I could get these things and just after a couple batches they lose their "spring". I forgot to mention that these are the EZcap bottles, I pick them up for about $50 a case.

 

[jsv1204]

I've sworn off swing-tops for this exact reason. They look cool but are unpredictable.