Re-using crown caps

[wheazy_joe]

Ok so I'm not (only) being a tight Scotsman here, b wondering if anyone 're-uses crown caps on their glass bottles?

I find capping a right nuisance and have broken a fair few bottles (average 2 per batch) due to my over exuberance. It is so much easier fitting an already used cap as it's pretty much 90% there just by popping it back on.

Anyone else done this, or forsee any problems??

 

[MrBarrySir]

You shouldn't have any problems capping - some bottles are a bit more awkward than others but nothing that should cause you to break them! Anyway - I'm pretty certain you couldn't re-use bent caps and they wouldn't be air-tight. What you using to cap the bottles?

 

[FatDad]

I use a hand-capper like the one below and it is an absolute breeze to use. Works first time and every time so far:

 

[mike-os]

Are you sure the cap and bottle are the same size?

I did 80 bottles yesterday without any issue...

 

[HebridesRob]

I occaisionally re-use caps to re-seal bottles that still have some contents - commercial beers too. Never done it with a newly filled bottle.

 

[Tony1951]

I have about a hundred odd flip top bottles that I bought from The Range for £9.99 a dozen. Wonderful in my opinion. Most of my beer goes in cheap Young's barrels. I keep the bottles for the good stuff.

 

[ilikemysocks]

I buy boxes of 40 PET bottles from homebrewonline.co.uk at about a tenner a box. The screw tops are reusable, it just takes a little while to screw them all on once bottled. Also they're not the smartest things to give as gifts or to guests. But they're cheap and do the job.

 

[Cwrw666]

I once re-used crown caps when I found I didn't have enough new ones. Sorted out the non-bent ones and soaked them in boiling water to sterilise. The bottles held pressure, but not quite as well as with new caps.
By the way, I agree with everyone else - you really shouldn't be breaking bottles with a capper - I know it's possible (done it myself occasionally), especially with modern thin glass bottles, but just be a bit more gentle with it and you shouldn't break any.

 

[dad_of_jon]

I use a hand-capper like the one below and it is an absolute breeze to use. Works first time and every time so far:

So when exactly did you sneak into my house and steal my bottle capper then?
:p

+1 for above but wychwood bottles are best avoided with this capper. They are do-able but it feels you're going to break something when capping them.

 

[Covrich]

I haven't heard of anyone breaking bottles with a capper before, Breaking 2 bottles a batch sounds like you're being a bit heavy handed?? which capper do you have

 

[FatDad]

So when exactly did you sneak into my house and steal my bottle capper then?
:p

+1 for above but wychwood bottles are best avoided with this capper. They are do-able but it feels you're going to break something when capping them.

Was it your picture I 'liberated' from Google?

Yes I knew Wychwood bottles are 'special' and I found this video when I was looking for bottle capping solutions and I bought one of the hand cappers shown too.

I would, however, suggest a rubber camping mallet rather than the full-on metal claw hammer shown in the video. I am rather cack-handed and it would be a toss up whether I break the bottles or my fingers first with a claw hammer.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hd_3O1fQ9U[/ame]

 

[Chippy_Tea]

The guy in the video above mentions a bench capper, if i was going to use these bottles regularly i would bite the bullet and buy one just for the time saving alone.

5% discount on both cappers below here - http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=52967

£21:95
COUNTER TOP CAPPER SUITS 26MM AND 29MM CROWN CAPS

This is a top of the range crown capper. Very sturdy and well engineered. The capper can cap 26mm and 29mm crown caps. It comes with a FREE 29mm crown cap adapter. Capping your homebrew beer has never been easier and at a fantastic low price.

http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_24&products_id=2187


£34.95
The Brewferm Capp'in TableTop crown capper is equipped with some essential features and is the best in its price range, leaving the competition far behind.

Enlarged stamp around the magnet reduces risk of dents in caps
Specially designed nickel-treated capping head ensures perfect crimp of the crown cap
Steel piston with reinforced, durable spring for easy bottle release: no more stuck bottles
Comes with a 26 mm head; 29 mm head available separately
Max. height: fits bottles up to 38 cm

http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_24&products_id=2552


[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y7VuXB5meI[/ame]