Thickness of glass bottles?

[Bromley Brewery]

On other threads it's thought that real-ale bottles (heavy, thick glass) are the ones to use.
- Are thinner bottles really likely to explode?
- Does anyone have any 1st hand experience of exploding bottles?

I've got Brewferm Abbey in the FV now in preparation for bottling for Christmas (if it lasts that long) and I have collected real-ale bottles (thick) and also some Polish 500ml bottles (thinner).

Yours, wearing eye protection...

[anomalous_result]

As far as i know the thicker 'reusable' bottles are just thicker to make them more durable, so that they can go through the process of being used and then industrially washed/refilled without breaking. Thinner bottles aren't up to that, but I'd use 'em happily tbh. They have to maintain a certain pressure as they're filled with fizzy stuff anyway and H&S wouldn't let them be close to borderline. Although I've never used them so don't speak with any authority on the subject.

[randomdave]

I spose it depends what your bottling.
If its Lager you need a lot of carbonation really so thicker glass is better, Bulmers bottles or newcastle brown bottles are ok (altho newkie brown bottles are clear so need covering)
Ale tends not to be over carbonated but even so id probably go with bulmers bottles. From what ive read they are also easy to cap as well which is always a bonus.

[steve_flack]

On other threads it's thought that real-ale bottles (heavy, thick glass) are the ones to use.
- Are thinner bottles really likely to explode?
- Does anyone have any 1st hand experience of exploding bottles?

No but I know people that have. In their case I think it was actually a thick bottle that went bang.

[Aleman]

IIRC David Edge had one/several go bang and in the June 2007 Brewers Contact there is a nice picture of the hole in his plasterboard ceiling left by the crown cap

Not sure if that articles available on line yet . . . I know there is a good few issues delay . . . which should encourage you all to become members!!! Especially with the next issue of Brewers Contact due out very soon which has a couple of interesting articles in it

Edit: link to The Craft Brewing Association


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[Bromley Brewery]

Cheers Guys,

I'll be extra careful with the crown capper and mallet though...