I'm just starting out homebrewing.
1. I have a bottle capper with two handles that you push down. The caps are loose, barely fit, and I think allows air in which inhibits bottle conditioning. Is there a better bottle capper?
2. Would it be OK to use a plastic water jug as a fermenter? I allready have a glass one, but I'd like to brew two batches at once and don't want to pay too much.
Thanks
2006-10-05 13:54:12 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Beer, Wine & Spirits
You can use the plastic water bottle provided it's not the kind with a handle...too hard to clean and sanitize all the extra nooks and crannies. Even the non-handle are difficult because of the contours and shapes which make thorough cleaning and sanitizing difficult. What you save in money will have to be made up in labor.
There are plastic carboys available for the sake of non-breakability and weight.
http://morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=6529
You might try upgrading to a stand-capper from your wing-capper...also, are the caps the right size for your bottles?
http://morebeer.com/browse.html?category_id=1099&keyword=&x=1&y=1
2006-10-05 14:11:56 · answer #1 · answered by Trid 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Super Agata Bench Capper. I've bottled a lot of beer with mine and don't regret purchasing the more expensive capper right off.
2. I don't believe it's a good idea. I belive they're more gas permeable than glass. If you want a plastic carboy, get a Better Bottle. PET plastic and thicker. Personally, for primary I use plastic buckets and then for 2ndary, I use glass carboys. I use the glass for the 2ndary because of my concern for oxigenation. I also tend to 2ndary for several months because of the size(alcohol) of beers I brew.
If you haven't been yet, www.howtobrew.com is an excellent site. If you have questions, More Beer has a forum, though I'm a bigger fan of www.brewboard.com
Good Luck!
2006-10-07 00:17:50 · answer #2 · answered by inwonderofthemedia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as the capper goes, sounds as if your capper may be broken or defective in some way.
As far as the plastic water jug goes, I wouldn't reccomend it at all. Ever notice the water you drink from those has that off plastic flavor, secondly if during cleaning and you get a small scratch in it, this area will inhabit with bacteria. No matter how much you clean it they won't come out till they want to.
2006-10-09 09:00:03 · answer #3 · answered by goofy04 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go here.. www.hoptech.com
and then..
do it right and no need to buy another for a long time long as you keep it clean.
http://www.hoptech.com/cart/cart.php?target=category&category_id=3
2006-10-05 21:02:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋