Bottle capping.

[Sozzled Sab]

After years of brewing just bitters and using plastic barrels I have made something that requires higher carbonation which I have decided to bottle.
I have a two handled capper which belonged to my father and have accumulated a load of 500ml bottles of all different shapes.
My question is am I likely to be able to cap all these bottles or do they need to have a certain neck shape?

 

[Nottsbeer]

From experience, I'd say possibly not. My two handed capper does most bottles, but never cider ones (can't remember the make) - the lip was a bit different and the capper couldn't grip properly. You may want to test a few different bottles to ensure you can cap all the different styles before bottling.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Buy a bench capper a game changer for me.

 

[The Baron]

As CC says a bench capper will virtually cap any bottle the problems that can arise from the handled ones is that some /not all will not cap the Hobgoblin style rounded top bottle and they have a aversion to snap necks off at times.
The bench capper is a better long term solution if you are going to bottle a large amount on a regular basis

 

[Bernie]

Second Cheshire Cat, two-handled cappers grip the neck of the bottle and may slip if the neck is the wrong shape. The only problem with bench cappers is that they have to be reset if the bottle height changes.

 

[Clint]

Problem bottles...Wychwood (?) Hobgoblin etc.
Bench capper will do any...I've probably capped 1000's with mine but I don't know where all the beer has gone!

 

[Richard_H]

I have been using a hand capper for years and have learnt the hard way that a certain type of bottle doesn't work with them.

What you need to look out for is a long thick 'shaft' between the top of the bottle where the cap sits and the start of the neck. If the neck becomes thicker soon after then this is even better, the 'shaft' is what the capper will clamp down on. See below for ideal bottle:

Now this is an example of a bottle with a very small 'shaft' and a skinny neck, only use these if you have a bench capper or a capping machine. I discard these:

 

[Jim Brewster]

Now this is an example of a bottle with a very small 'shaft' and a skinny neck, only use these if you have a bench capper or a capping machine. I discard these:
View attachment 63429

In an emergency I have created a spacer with 1p coins on top of the cap which gives the right distance to the flange to allow it to clamp. But there's enough bottles using the standard tops to not have to mess around with the exceptions that aren't the right size to work

 

[Sozzled Sab]

Thanks for your advice everyone, seems the bench capper is the way to go after looking at my motley collection of bottles.
Can anyone recommend one. I have seen a few and they seem to be around £30. I don't want to spend too much as I normally use a pb but no point in getting one that's not going to last.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Check out brew2bottle

 

[Clint]

Mine was about £30.

 

[Dazzelknight]

Iv got this one, great bit of kit. Tip, when removing newly capped bottle from capper head, partly hold handle down and twist bottle out when removing.
Adjustable Height Counter Top Capper for 26mm and 29mm Crown Caps Homebrew Beer Cider (Red) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B073QNH...t_i_T22XDZ9HQVM6DSYXRFJK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Nottsbeer]

Iv got this one, great bit of kit. Tip, when removing newly capped bottle from capper head, partly hold handle down and twist bottle out when removing.
Adjustable Height Counter Top Capper for 26mm and 29mm Crown Caps Homebrew Beer Cider (Red) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B073QNH...t_i_T22XDZ9HQVM6DSYXRFJK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I got this one recently, works very well with all bottles. Will try your tip on next batch

 

[alfapat]

Looking good that capper, I will start saving!

 

[moto748]

I don't have a bench capper because I don't have a bench. But I've not had an issue with the two-handled type. As the picture upthread rightly shows, you need that the 'deep collar' type. As I've remarked before, I prefer to collect clear bottles if I can, but *most* beer that comes in clear bottles (eg, Spitfire) has the shallow collar style, which would require a bench capper.

One thing I don't get is people saying Hobgoblin bottles are problematical. I reckon most of my bottle collection are Hobgoblin, and I've never had an issue with them.

I would say to the OP, if you are only going to be an occasional bottler, check if you have enough deep collar bottles for your needs, If so, a two-handled capper will do the job fine.

 

[AJA]

I'm slightly puzzled by the problems faced by handheld cappers on this thread. I've only ever had issues with cider bottles which sometimes have no flange at all.
I principally now use Amstel 300ml bottles (because I have hundreds) which have a 'skinny' neck and have never had a problem.
I have lost the magnet though which is a minor inconvenience

 

[The Baron]

The problem is not black and white, most handheld cappers do cause problems of not being able to do all bottles and even snap the necks of bottles periodically but and this is the minority and especially very older type one that some brewers have had for years seem capable of bottling any type of bottle and not having this problem.
Which ones is ok if you are buying new types is a lottery whereas bench types seem to be capable of bottling all types as they do not grip the bottle but press the cap on so do not suffer these possible issues

 

[AJA]

The problem is not black and white, most handheld cappers do cause problems of not being able to do all bottles and even snap the necks of bottles periodically but and this is the minority and especially very older type one that some brewers have had for years seem capable of bottling any type of bottle and not having this problem.
Which ones is ok if you are buying new types is a lottery whereas bench types seem to be capable of bottling all types as they do not grip the bottle but press the cap on so do not suffer these possible issues

Understood. I'll take care of mine as it looks like I've got a good one!

 

[Begbie]

I've got a handheld capper, donated kindly by a neighbour who no longer brews. I've managed to snap/crush the neck of 2 bottles to date - both were 330ml Corona bottles.

1st breakage, I put down to not capping properly. 2nd breakage convinced me not to use them again. It's bloody dangerous, and you waste good beer!

I now only use bottles with the thick neck and deep collar as described in posts 7 and 15.

 

[Old Fart At Play]

You can get good bench cappers for £26. Only a tenner or so more than a handheld capper and totally reliable. I've had mine for 30 years or so, still going strong, never failed to cap and never broken a bottle.