What causes bottle bombs?

[boomtown25]

I had an EPIC failure on my attempt at a cucumber ale. It smelled so bad I couldn't even taste it. I opened 3 and every one of them spewed everywhere. What causes this and how do I prevent it?

 

[hoppymonkey]

They are caused by one of three things.

1. too much priming sugar
2. bottling before fermentation is complete
3. infection

 

[enkamania]

How long did it ferment before bottling? If it wasn't done fermenting, this can cause bottle bombs

 

[Reno_eNVy]

They are caused by one of three things.

1. too much priming sugar
2. bottling before fermentation is complete
3. infection

This

 

[jigidyjim]

Also unevenly mixed priming sugar. I've had a couple batches where some bottles were over carbed to the point of exploding and some bottles undercabed.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Also unevenly mixed priming sugar. I've had a couple batches where some bottles were over carbed to the point of exploding and some bottles undercabed.

That'll happen too. When you rack your beer on top of the priming solution in the bottling bucket you want to make sure you create a good whirlpool effect

 

[jonmohno]

I usually give it a stir quietly.After the whirlpool bottle racking bucket fill.I always drink them last bottled first,havent had any bombs yet going on 3 dozen batches.Luck? coincednece? Im sticking to the plan.Always rinse bottles you drink and resuse after. I always use a bottlebrush hot water baking soda /thourghly rinsing/store then sanitize before use.
Did you notice anything with the sample before botteling?Did you boil your priming sugar,clean your bottleing equipemnt well.?

 

[Beezy]

I had a bottle bomb on one batch. I didn't stir but had a decent whirl going I thought. After that I let the bucket fill up about half way and give it a gentle stir then continue with the whirlpool.

 

[jigidyjim]

Also to the OP: super nit picky but I think you have gushers... they aren't bottle bombs til they explode

 

[boomtown25]

Gushers is correct. I dumped them all- same effect in each. I think it was an infection- I couldn't even bring myself to taste it they smelle so bad.

 

[Beezy]

Also to the OP: super nit picky but I think you have gushers... they aren't bottle bombs til they explode

Actually not that nitpicky. Big difference between bombs and gushers. I came home to find the bottom of a bottle neatly separated from the top and beer everywhere. I have honestly never had a gusher.

 

[jonmohno]

Maybe cucumber doesnt belong in beer? Just a hunch, never tried it . Pumpkin is the only vegetable i tried with decent results.Ive seen lots of recipes in books with watermelon peaches, ginger,cherries....
Did you dry hop these cucumbers?

 

[Beezy]

If you like cucumbers that much why not. I hate them myself. I want to do a carrot brew (=