Corking........a how to please??

[Turbotez]

Got me a hand corker today and some recomended (by the LHBS geeza :geek: ) corks ready for my first ever bottling session on saturday :party: .

Question is, do i need to do anything to the corks proir to shoving them in the bottle? :hmm:

I've seen on here that they need to be soaked, the LHBS man said not to cause they are treated with sillycon (silicon) or something so as you can imagine, epic :? :wha:

The corks are very dense by the way

 

[31bb3]

What type of hand corker you got ??? if its a lever 1 then waxed are ok if its asmall push in 1 then you need normal corks which need to be soaked

 

[Turbotez]

its a push/tap in one

 

[31bb3]

Use normal corks and soak them not sure if coated /waxed can work in that type of corker

 

[Moley]

If the bloke from Blackheath sold you those corks and that corker, if it splits you can take it back as unfit for purpose.

I use those corks in a lever-type corker, but even so I like to wet them first. Crush a campden into about 250ml of water in a jug and give them a quick dunk.

If they don't go all the way into the bottle, have beside you a suitable piece of dowel (or similar) and a hammer to give them an extra bit of persuasion.

Also, soak a couple of sheets of kitchen roll in the sulphite solution and stuff that down the corker for a few minutes before you use it.

 

[Turbotez]

think i might just give it a go, the LHBS man seems to be a decent chap fingers crossed! :pray:

 

[Marsie]

One little tip...
Before putting the cork in, put a strong (6") piece of thread into the neck of the bottle; this will allow a bit of air out as the cork goes in. When removing the thread, wrap some around a spoon / fork/ pencil or whatever to help extract it.

 

[Moley]

One little tip...
Before putting the cork in, put a strong (6") piece of thread into the neck of the bottle; this will allow a bit of air out as the cork goes in. When removing the thread, wrap some around a spoon / fork/ pencil or whatever to help extract it.

:thumb:
Choose a thread which isn't going to shed fibres in the process and sterilise it before use.

 

[Turbotez]

could i just steralise the corker in the lads bottle steraliser, with Mrs Turbo seeing of course lol!!

thanks for the tips guys :

 

Choose a thread which isn't going to shed fibres in the process and sterilise it before use.

Nylon fishing line works pretty well!