PET bottles

[Knobrot]

I've got some beer currently secondary fermenting in a pressure barrel (hurry up!!).

However, if I don't want to wait, I'm sure I've read somewhere that I can buy just cheap bottled water from the supermarket (in PET plastic bottles) and use that water for my next brew along with the empty plastic bottles for secondary fermenting? Is that defo right?

If so, does anyone know what's so special about PET bottles over one of the other plastics (HDPE etc) and what the cons of using plastic over glass bottles?

Much appreciated.

[Stoat on a rope]

ive been using 2 litre sainsburys basics fizzy water bottles (or when they are sold out, basics lemonade) and they do the trick. i would rather use glass bottles but i never seem to have enough. the only problem is the lids seem to crack down the sides after a couple of months storing, but ive not had any leakage yet. however your beer might not stay in the bottle long enough to see that happen!

[wgardner]

I buy Sainsburys 1litre Basics Tonic Water bottles at 25p a go and they have been great for my last two brews. You can re-use them for each brew.

Just don't put them in the dishwasher since the heat warps the shape of the bottom of the bottle and stops them from standing upright!

[garwatts]

I've used Asda Smart Price 12/13p still water. (the bottles are the same) and kept beer for months in them. Never had a problem with caps. As previously stated avoid using really hot water as they do distort, also keep your brew in a cool, dark place

[sparky Paul]

the only problem is the lids seem to crack down the sides after a couple of months storing, but ive not had any leakage yet.

I have used 2L PET bottles for several years, and I must say that I have never seen that happen... possibly something to do with your method of cleaning/sanitising them? Not sure...

The only problem I have with the caps is that with some types, you will get the odd one fail to seal after many uses - I try to replace them every 6 or so uses. There's also a couple of issues with the bottles themselves. They are slightly oxygen permeable, so are not recommended for long term storage, although I've had no problems up to 6 months, and sometimes kept beers longer in PET. They are also usually clear, so need to be kept somewhere dark, so as to avoid light strike.

PETs do have some advantages over glass bottles, they are cheap, robust, and allow you monitor carbonation levels by using the 'squeeze' test.

[wgardner]

PETs do have some advantages over glass bottles, they are cheap, robust, and allow you monitor carbonation levels by using the 'squeeze' test.

Squeeze test?

[RIP]

Tesco 2litre still water at 13p a bottle, use the water for the brew then the empty bottles for the fermented brew, with of course the priming sugar in. As previously said, store somewhere dark after bottling.I have got some old glass bottles that I cap just to be posh at barbys etc and just bought some brown plastic PET bottles from leyland home brew which hold a pint and worked well for the last batch.
The only problem I've found with the 2 l PET bottles is if you don't drink the 2 litres in one night, the next day a bit of the fizz has gone

[garwatts]

PETs do have some advantages over glass bottles, they are cheap, robust, and allow you monitor carbonation levels by using the 'squeeze' test.

Squeeze test?

Hard to squeeze - lots of pressure
Soft and squeeze easily - Oh sugar!

[Knobrot]

Nice one gang - plastic bottles it is then (certainly save me having to buy another keg just yet).

I can feel another brew coming on as we speak!

[sonicated]

I buy Sainsburys 1litre Basics Tonic Water bottles at 25p a go

47p in Sainsburys in Oxford!

I buy the Tesco Value still water. They are 13p for 2 litres which I can use for brewing and the bottles have proper lids for pressurisation - I find the ASDA lids a bit on the small and thin side.

[wgardner]

I buy Sainsburys 1litre Basics Tonic Water bottles at 25p a go

47p in Sainsburys in Oxford!

I buy the Tesco Value still water. They are 13p for 2 litres which I can use for brewing and the bottles have proper lids for pressurisation - I find the ASDA lids a bit on the small and thin side.

Big price difference, are you sure you're not looking at the standard (not basics) Sainsburys brand?

I would love to use 2L litres but I find them to large for one sitting, I assume the beer goes flat in them once opened?

[fractureman]

that's the price for JS ordinary tonic not basics which is in fact 25p, I know cos a work there nights

I prefer to use the basics water as price is cheaper & you can us ethe water in your brew to start with, understand why 2l might not be the size you want though

[garwatts]

I would love to use 2L litres but I find them to large for one sitting, I assume the beer goes flat in them once opened?

No it shouldn't - but best drunk within a day or two.

[sonicated]

If you just pour a pint from a two litre PET the yeast will get disturbed and will not bed down properly for a good few days. I now just bottle in two litre PETs and transfer to 500ml glass bottles (without sediment) when I just fancy a cheeky pint:

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=27911

[garwatts]

If you just pour a pint from a two litre PET the yeast will get disturbed and will not bed down properly for a good few days. I now just bottle in two litre PETs and transfer to 500ml glass bottles (without sediment) when I just fancy a cheeky pint:

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=27911

That would depend on what yeast you use. If it's kit yeast then I would agree, but if you use something like S-04 you shouldn't disturb that too much