How often do people reuse bottlecaps, if at all? Given the slight crease that's introduced when removing the cap, I'm a little nervous about reusing them -- though it seems that there shouldn't be a problem if they're washed and sanitized, and if there's no leakage when the bottle is held upside-down after capping.
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I've never done it, and I wouldn't recommend it. I suspect that the seals inside the caps are really only good for one use. It doesn't make sense to me to try to save money there. You just spent a bunch of time and energy making a tasty beer: you don't want to ruin it by using faulty or contaminated caps. Even if they don't leak beer, they may still leak CO2 once they're under pressure. |
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If you want "recyclable" caps, you could consider bottling to 1/2 gallon growlers... 38mm "polyseal" caps are machine washable and make a decent seal. |
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There are also twist close plastic bottles and caps, the kind that come with the "Mr. Beer" kit, that are reusable. |
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Or you could go with swing-top bottles. Although after some time you will have to replace the red rubber seals on those as well. But much less waste than with caps. http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/ez-cap-bottles-brown-16-oz-with-flip-tops.html http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/ez-cap-bottles-brown-1-liter-with-flip-tops.html http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/wire-bales-for-flip-tops.html |
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I have reused them with NO troubles! Just re-sanitize. I don't make it a regular practice though. Only when I run out of caps when bottling!!!! |
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