Using P.E.T. Bottles for Beer

[skidaddytn]

I've used plastic miller lite bottles for 3-4 5 gallon batches now and have previously thought that the caps would give way before the bottles but that has not been the case! A few of the plastic bottles after re-use have had strange issues with layer separation... After pouring a beer, I have squeezed the plastic bottle to find that it makes crackling noises, and I can see bubbling in the plastic similar to a cheap automotive tint job.... Has anyone else seen this? When this happens I throw the bottle away, but... it has me wondering if these are safe for re-use? Also... I have been using oxy-clean to remove the labels initially... this could be breaking down more than just the label....

I also am using glass bottles with a capper ... but I am a big believer in recycling so I am up for trying whatever works... I'm thinking now about trying the aluminum miller lite pint bottles...

 

[mud390]

For the caps, are you just reusing the cap that came with the bottle, on say, as soda bottle or are you buying new caps from a brew store? I was just looking at a cap off a one liter bottle and I didn't see any kind of seal, that's why I'm asking. Plus, it'd be nice to have some plastic bottle to take to places that don't allow glass. Thanks!

Kris

 

[skidaddytn]

I just re-use the caps that come with them... it works fine... I have not had one go bad yet and some have been used 3-4 times. I'm still wondering though if these bottles are breaking down over time, or I just got a couple of sub-par quality bottles...

 

[mikemet]

I have about 10 Mr Beer bottles- PET amber- with caps. I was really hesitant in using them. Will I get a different taste or flavor when using them? I know this thread was started around 4 years ago- is anybody using these Mr Beer PET bottles for bottling?

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

I have about 10 Mr Beer bottles- PET amber- with caps. I was really hesitant in using them. Will I get a different taste or flavor when using them? I know this thread was started around 4 years ago- is anybody using these Mr Beer PET bottles for bottling?

There are no issues with using PET bottles. I ferment in PET bottles, and use PET bottles to carry beer around.

My sons had a rootbeer kit that uses those amber liter bottles. When they were finished, I took the bottles, washed them out, and have been using them ever since.

 

[unionrdr]

I have 45 of the Cooper's 740ml (25.16oz) PET bottles. They also have a coating on the inside to help prevent oxygenation. Cooper's said that their PET bottles are good for up to 8 months. Any long term aging,& they recommend glass bottles. Just get the lids screwed on really tight though. You'd be surprised how tight they need to be screwed down. But they work great,& give two 12oz glasses each. And the lugs at the bottom of the bottles are great for holding the yeast dregs.

 

[F250]

Great thread, guys.

I just ordered two cases of the PET beer bottles and caps for my first batch of bitters. If nothing else I won't have to worry about bottle bombs.

Rick

 

[Gothgar]

I just got a set of the mr beer 500 ml ones from a secret santa thing I did, so I will be using these in the near future on my Stout.

Thanks for the thread!