Used Screw-Cap Growlers --- OK To Bottle In?

[GHBWNY]

My son-in-law gave me several used 64 oz. growlers with screw caps. The inside of the caps have what appears to be a poly-foam seal and have only been used once. Can I safely re-bottle in these growlers with these caps as long as there are no apparent defects in seal? Or should I replace caps with new? Or should I not use bottles with screw caps at all for bottling? I'd be concerned about creating an original "factory" seal by hand, and I'd hate to find out too late that there wasn't a good seal. Am I over-thinking this? Thanks.

 

[Dolomieu]

You shouldn't bottle in growlers (ie add priming sugar and bottle condition). There are folks that do but it's not advisable.

If you mean bottle from keg, like how they are meant to be used, then I'd grab a couple new caps personally.

Growlers aren't all created equally. I have cut several up for three wick candles and the glass CAN be very thin in spots. Beer bottles are the same but the wall of the growlers can be much thinner. At least this is what I have observed.

That said its your brewery so do what you want. Though please post you "growler bomb" pics.

 

[KTRyan]

If your bottle carbonating you don't want to use growlers, at least not standard screw top growlers. Beyond that its all a matter of shelf life, the poly-foam can harbor some bacteria, and standard screw top growlers wont hold carbonation very well. I only use growlers when I know the beer is going to drank within the week, and I personally feel a full week is pushing it. The following lids will give you a better shelf life, but you still shouldnt carbonate in growlers:

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/38-mm-polyseal-screw-caps.html

 

[Terek]

I have done this a few times. I never replaced the caps (probably should) then i dipped the ends in wax for good measure. Worked fine. No infections, and fully carbed

 

[beeber]

I have done this with success also. The best caps are the metal screw caps with a rubber liner. That cap seems to hold pressure better than the others.

 

[GHBWNY]

OK, while the opinions are varied, I've decided to defer to the possibility of a mishap in using a growler to bottle carb and stick with my 12-oz. bottles and crowns. My original thought in using the growler to bottle condition was to make it more convenient in giving beer away. However, after reading the feedback here, and now understanding that the purpose of a growler is to "transport" already-carbed beer (I don't keg yet), I don't feel the need or compulsion to experiment with a potential 1.5 gal. loss.