Screwtop bottles

[Robpalmer.]

I have my first solomon grundy merlot kit ready to make, i am getting conflicting advice with regard to using screwtop bottles.
Are they safe to use or should i wait until i have enough corked bottles.?

 

[The Baron]

No problem using screwtops for wine but not carbonated/sparkling wines as they are not pressure bottles. , also they should not be corked as the tops are thinner than cork enabled bottles
I have used them for years and if you are careful with the screw tops you can use them several times too or buy the plastic ones that replace them

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I have used screw top glass bottles for years in fact i have never used corks, i use Novatwist caps which i have re-used many times over the years.
(the metal screw caps can become too loose over time)

https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/...le-plastic-screw-caps-for-wine-bottles.56326/

 

[Robpalmer.]

That,s me ready to start my first batch then, thanks for clearing that up

 

[ChrisT]

I agree with @Chippy_Tea, I reuse screw top bottles and the caps. You'll get a "feel" if you can reuse the caps and then you can replace with Novatwist tops. I've been doing this for nearly 2 years and not yet had to replace any Novatwist caps.

 

[Robpalmer.]

Thanks Chris ive now ordered 30 novatwist caps so im all ready to go

 

[Tommo 2]

Thanks Chris ive now ordered 30 novatwist caps so im all ready to go

Where did you order them from, might be needing some myself in the not to distant future , thank in advance

 

[Robpalmer.]

Ebay £9.99 for 30 which seems really cheap compared to other sellers.

 

[Applesnmore]

The issue I have had with Novatwist caps is that the bottles should be stored upright, (because the foam cap can absorb liquid), which means more space to store them. Quality wise upright no issue.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

The issue I have had with Novatwist caps is that the bottles should be stored upright, (because the foam cap can absorb liquid), which means more space to store them. Quality wise upright no issue.

Thanks for the heads up.

I bought my Novatwist caps back in 2015 and have always stored my bottles stood upright in an under counter kitchen cupboard, i then transfer them to the wine rack in the fridge a few days before i intend to open them, i have never had any leaks or problems with the foam inside the cap.

I guess if you have no option than to lay them down you may want to try something else but at £9.99 i would still give them a go and see what happens, this is the first time i have ever read they can leak if the bottles are laid on their sides.

 

[Applesnmore]

Wish I could recall where I got the info regarding storage, but having got a stock, it put me off.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Wish I could recall where I got the info regarding storage, but having got a stock, it put me off.

I am fairly sure i got mine here and nice to see they are still selling them all these years later -

https://www.balliihoo.co.uk/novatwist-plastic-screw-caps-for-wine-bottles-silver-pack-of-12

 

[ChrisT]

Same as @Chippy_Tea , I got mine from Ballihoo/homebrewcentre.co.uk.

 

[stickybackbob]

Same as @Chippy_Tea , I got mine from Ballihoo/homebrewcentre.co.uk.

I get my Novatwist from Brewgenie, they work out about 8p cheaper (18p each)
Always stored in a wine rack with no leakage problems, even when re-used.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Great price thanks for the heads up.

 

[ColinF]

Or 100 for £16.20

https://www.brewgenie.co.uk/novatwist-wine-bottle-screwcaps4

 

[ColinF]

I take it with the novatwists that after the first use, you just bin the original shroud and only use the cap ?

 

[Applesnmore]

Being of a harder plastic (than a corked bottle cover or the metal band of a screwtop), the shrouds are difficult to remove. Used to leave them in place and put tally marks on them so I could keep track to see that I was saving money.

 

[stickybackbob]

I take it with the novatwists that after the first use, you just bin the original shroud and only use the cap ?

once it's been opened, the shroud has no further practical purpose - I leave it on because it looks nice