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Since I have started brewing, I have been under the impression that I shouldn't use screw top bottles. I thought this because I presumed they didn't seal as well, and some different sort of capper is required (and different caps for that matter). So basically every coopers bottle I have consumed has gone straight to the recycling.

Only now have I realised that on the new packet of crown seals that I bought, it mentions that they are for twist top bottles and crown seal bottles. So it has me thinking that I might start to use twist tops as well for my homebrew. But first, a few questions:

1) By using twist top bottles, does it create any lesser of a seal (I'd rather my beer carbonated )?

2) Can I cap these bottles using a normal hand capper? or will I have to wait until I get a bench capper?

3)Is there any good reason why crown seal bottles are better?

Thanks,
Tim

I personally like twist top stubbies better than the standard rolled top stubbies.

I think the screw tops might have been wine bottles?

I have never heard of anyone having a problem with twist top bottles when applying crown seals with a bench capper, they are of course a bit weaker than the average rolled top bottle and are more prone to breaking from pressure (ie. when banging a cap on with a mallet).

Tim... wrote: 1) By using twist top bottles, does it create any lesser of a seal (I'd rather my beer carbonated )?

No. Twisties will work just as well as roll tops. Be aware that the glass is thinner.

Tim... wrote: 2) Can I cap these bottles using a normal hand capper? or will I have to wait until I get a bench capper?

Get a bench capper, especially because of the thinner glass issue.

Tim... wrote: 3)Is there any good reason why crown seal bottles are better?

It is harder to stuff up a roll top - like have the lid on crooked. Also I once bumped a twist to and the lid opened enough to spill beer, a roll top would have laughed this off.

Cheers,
Greg

cheers guys. I guess I'll start collecting my coopers bottles. And buy a bench capper (I was planning on it anyway).

20% off at K-Mart, no better time than now!

Kevnlis wrote:20% off at K-Mart, no better time than now!

I didn't think K-Mart sold Bench Cappers? I have seen the fermenter kits, but I don't recall bench cappers. I guess I'll check it out on the weekend.

$40.07 for an automatica, best price I have ever seen!

Super automatica is better than the Brewiser one......

I used to use the hand held bottler and the twisties snap way too easy with that contraption...

Adding to that, I think it was a solid 2 weeks before I gave up on the hand held bottler

Boonie wrote:Super automatica is better than the Brewiser one......

I used to use the hand held bottler and the twisties snap way too easy with that contraption...

Adding to that, I think it was a solid 2 weeks before I gave up on the hand held bottler

Took me 2 broken bottles (of the first 10 or so) to go to my father in law and borrow his. I did that for 4 years until I finally broke down last week and bought one from eBay, the next day K-Mart started their 20% off sale, I could have bough the super automatica brand new for less than I paid for a second hand one off eBay! DOH!

I've not had any problems with Screw Cap bottles, however Crown Seal bottles are best for anything that will be pressurised or that will be volatile in bottles. For example, I have a 4.5% Ginger Beer in Old Pick-Axe Bottles, with two in 600 Ml Coke Bottles.

I have been told by my Home Brew Shop that the caps on Twist Top bottles will be loose once capped until the bottles start to pressurise, however I know from experience that they do start to become firm once pressurised.

Get an Automatica. You won't look back - I got mine from a Junk Heap, with a whole lot of other brewing paraphernalia. It works perfectly.

Tim... wrote:I didn't think K-Mart sold Bench Cappers? I have seen the fermenter kits, but I don't recall bench cappers. I guess I'll check it out on the weekend.

The Kmart 20% off sale on homebrew stuff ends at close of trade Wednesday 05 Sep.

Liz E wrote:

Tim... wrote:I didn't think K-Mart sold Bench Cappers? I have seen the fermenter kits, but I don't recall bench cappers. I guess I'll check it out on the weekend.

The Kmart 20% off sale on homebrew stuff ends at close of trade Wednesday 05 Sep.

Good thing I read the forums today. As soon as I read this I rushed out, unsure of when they close (this was at 5:30pm). I'm now the proud owner of a superautomatica. Cheers!

(almost convinced myself to get a secondary fermenter while I was there, till I realised how much money I'd be spending.)

Tim

On a related topic, has anyone tried to re-use Bundaberg Ginger Beer bottles, the ones with the metal screw caps?
I haven't tried to crown cap them, as I don't think the screw thread is high up enough on the top of the bottle for the cap to get a good hold, so I would have to also re-use the original metal screw caps.
The ginger beer is under pressure, so I am guessing it might be worth a try with a bottle or two of my next batch.
They are made of brown glass, and are the full longneck size.
Thanks.

I use the ginger beer bottles. You're correct in assuming you can't crown seal them. I just steralise the original caps and screw them back on and they carb up fine. If I can't locate the original caps I'll use normal PET caps and they're fine also if screwed on very tightly.

Thanks, Noodles.
This stuff is my wife's favourite drink, so will have an ongoing supply of these bottles.
And no, I have no interest in brewing ginger beer, as I have enough trouble finding the time to brew my beer.

The ginger beer bottles are definitely handy to have. My only suggestion is that you treat them like a normal pet bottle. In other words, if you're planning to store your beer for long periods (12 months plus), use crown seal bottles. I use my ginger beer bottles for brews that I know i'll be drinking in under 6 months time.

Noodles wrote:The ginger beer bottles are definitely handy to have. My only suggestion is that you treat them like a normal pet bottle. In other words, if you're planning to store your beer for long periods (12 months plus), use crown seal bottles. I use my ginger beer bottles for brews that I know i'll be drinking in under 6 months time.

Agree with you, Noodles. The plan was to try and reduce the time taken with bottling, but not to fully replace my usual stubbies and longnecks. I still have a total stock of about 600 stubbies and longnecks, which will continue to be used.
I just figured that 15 GB bottles and 30 stubbies would be a quicker exercise than 60 stubbies alone..