Carbonation

[Karuah]

i have just started to home brew again after about 35 years. My first brew ( a pale ale ) turned out pretty good except about 6 out of 25 bottles came out flat ie no carbonation. I bottled into 750ml PET bottles with a screw cap. I think what happened is when I tightened the cap on those 6 bottles I didn’t tighten them correctly. My question is can I carbonate those bottles using something like a “soda stream” unit? TIA

 

[RM-MN]

No to the soda stream unless you like cleaning the floor and walls. When releasing the pressure the beer tends to spray all over according to what people have reported.

A better way is to use sugar. Measured carefully it will get you the proper carbonation. This can be done with a measuring spoon or by using carbonation drops.

 

[Karuah]

No to the soda stream unless you like cleaning the floor and walls. When releasing the pressure the beer tends to spray all over according to what people have reported.

A better way is to use sugar. Measured carefully it will get you the proper carbonation. This can be done with a measuring spoon or by using carbonation drops.

Hi thanks for your reply. I did use sugar and was careful to measure and double check that I had primed each bottle before filling, I obviously didn’t tighten the cap correctly. The reason I asked is that I seem to recall reading somewhere that it can be done. I just think it is shame to waste good tasting beer if you can do something about it. Lesson learnt I now double check each bottle after capping.

 

[Loud Brewing]

Welcome back to brewing!
If you have access to a c02 tank you could use a carbonation cap on those pet bottles.
https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Ca...eywords=carbonation+cap&qid=1575714199&sr=8-4
They work very well, very fast.

 

[ReaperOnefour]

Welcome back to brewing. You can also try batch priming as well. I use both methods. When using carbonation drops i like coopers. I think they work really well.

 

[RM-MN]

Hi thanks for your reply. I did use sugar and was careful to measure and double check that I had primed each bottle before filling, I obviously didn’t tighten the cap correctly. The reason I asked is that I seem to recall reading somewhere that it can be done. I just think it is shame to waste good tasting beer if you can do something about it. Lesson learnt I now double check each bottle after capping.

You can do something about those bottles that didn't carbonate. Loosen the cap so any pressure will be vented and leave it a bit loose for 24 hours, then reprime them and tighten the caps well. Check one a few days in and make sure the bottles don't overcarbonate. If they start to gush, release pressure, retighten the caps and repeat as necessary until they no longer gush.

 

[dwhite60]

^^^ This ^^^

All the Best,
D. White