Reusing bottles

Rob · Jan 21, 2010

Hey,
I was just wondering what the deal is with reusing bottles from shop bought beer, my kit recommends not to and I have done some reading around that suggests most bottles are too thin and so may explode, anyone have an experience with reusing bottles? I am talking mainly about lager bottles such as Becks etc because most of the ale bottles I have seem pretty thick and I am sure they would be OK.
Thanks.

ilikerossi · Jan 21, 2010

I've re-used loads of ale bottles with no problems :thumb: not sure about thin lager bottles?

Wez · Jan 21, 2010

Brown thick heavy ale bottles = great

Thin green lightweight lager bottles = not worth the risk (imo)

Lager needs more carbonation than ale, you may end up with bottle bombs.

Rob · Jan 21, 2010

Thanks for the replies, I might try a thin lager one as an experiment, I will have to put it somewhere where it wont do any damage if it explodes.

Aleman · Jan 21, 2010

I have used the bud minis for bottling . . . or plan to . . . To test it I carbonated an ale to 3.5 Volumes . . . WAY more that I would ever carbonate an ale 1.2-1.5 Vols . . . It's now 6 months and the bottle has not broken yet

chiefstoker · Jan 21, 2010

Whilst we are on this subject, has anyone ever re-used good condition crown caps?
If so, what results?

Wez · Jan 21, 2010

I know someone who does and they work ok, but I always buy new, just to be safe. They are very cheap.

chiefstoker · Jan 21, 2010

blimey wez :grin: there's some speed in your fingertips there :lol:

corby_brewer · Jan 21, 2010

chiefstoker said:
Whilst we are on this subject, has anyone ever re-used good condition crown caps?
If so, what results?

For the price you pay for crown caps ask yourself is it worth it?

BarnsleyBrewer · Jan 21, 2010

Go to your local boozer and ask the landlord to save you Bulmers and Magners brown cider bottles, I've now collected around a 100, never had one explode!!
DON'T BOTTLE TO EARLY AND YOU'LL BE FINE!!

John

Wez · Jan 21, 2010

chiefstoker said:
blimey wez :grin: there's some speed in your fingertips there :lol:

Not the first time thats been mentioned.

unclepumble · Jan 21, 2010

Two problems with green lager type bottles.

1: You Risk skunking your pride and joy.

2: most commercial lager bottles are designed to use the least amount of glass possible, to a) reduce raw material useage and b) reduce cost, therefore they break very easily, c) they are easier to recycle as they break up into small pieces quickly.

Use brown beer bottles, or magners ones, or if you want your beer in green bottles= grolsch bottles.

Shane

Reusing bottles

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