999 emergency!!! broken capper while bottling

[gurtpint]

****, I've bottled one third of my ipa batch and my capping device bit the dust. There's no chance of getting a new one before tomorrow. I've already primed the beer with sugar and it's all in bottles. What to do? It's below zero outside. Will the brew be alright if I move the bottles to the balcony with the caps loosely on or will the drink be oxidized? Or should I pour the bottles back to the FV and leave it at room temperature. I don't like this. Pictures of kegs entering my mind. Please, advice much needed!

 

[Baz Chaz]

Oh hell, just seen your location, you're hardly local to nip round to :?

personally I'd be tempted to either put damp tea towels over it overnight (if temp is low enough) or stick it back (quietly) into the FV and re bottle when you've got a new capper :idea:

 

[gurtpint]

Bit off the beaten path for you Baz really, but thanks anyway. I think I'll carefully pour the brew back into the FV and heave-ho that to the balcony... If I'm not mistaken the yeast activity will be stopped by the low temp and this way I can get the beer into an airtight (well, at least more so than uncapped bottles) container. P***es me off this, but I guess it just had to happen some day. No problems whatsoever with the capper prior to this.

 

[broadfordbrewer]

How did you get on?
When you go buy your replacement capper, it might be worth buying a backup capper i.e. the type you hit with a mallett/hammer. They're really cheap and could save you next time.

These little problems are sent to test whether we are cut out for brewing .. and it sounds like you dealt with it the best you could. :thumb:

 

[screamlead]

I got a temp solution -have a look in your toolkit.
A large socket will knock on the caps - i've just used one to do some Ginger beer which is quite gassy!
Find one that fits loosely over the cap and use a rubber mallet to bash it on - dont bash it on tight or you wont get it off. you have to twist the thing to get it off the cap and bottle.
Just enough to bash down the cap and push the serrated edges together on the bottle.
Worked for me until the Mrs pops back to UK next month to get me a proper one!

Tried a few bottles last night and it works a treat - nice fizz when opening so no escaping gas Mmmmmm!

PS just checked my socket is a 1-1/16 about 30-35mm i think

 

[gurtpint]

Cheers for the input lads! Well, I just woke up early before work (day shift) today and started calling around for a new capper. I quickly learned that none of the supermarkets on my way to work sell these things anymore. Had to take the bus to the only homebrew/wine shop within a reasonable distance instead but that is all sorted now. I should probably really get a backup in case things go wrong again... Anyway, the weather has remained cold so I'd like to think that no real harm was done to the beer (please please!). Did the bottling right after getting back home and everything should be in order now. Phew.

I still keep thinking about getting kegs but storing them in a cool place is something I couldn't do. Taking samples out of the house would be a bit more complicated too. Hmm...