Brewing Master

Question:

Well, I know this was discussed a couple of months ago — I saw it but didn’t pay any attention because it didn’t apply to me at the time. Anyway, after bottling several batches in regular 12oz bottles, I have now acquired a few of the ceramic-stopper Grolsch bottles, plus a couple of 16oz bottles.  My question is, does the one-inch headspace rule still apply, or do I need to increase the headspace proporionally to prevent overcarbonation?  Since the difference is 4 oz == 1/3 more beer in the bottle, I assume that for the same carbonation I would need 1/3 more headspace in the bottle.  Comments?  Is the difference so small that I shouldn’t bother with it? Also on the subject of Grolsch bottles, is there any reason for replacing the gaskets as long as they are still soft and not cracked, scored, or otherwise damaged?  I presume it is desirable to turn them over each time they are used.  Granted they’re not all that expensive, but anywhere you can save a buck… Thanks in advance, e-mail is fine if you prefer. Jon * Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering *  of modern American       * * University of New Mexico                   *  societal decay."         * * Albuquerque, NM 87131                      *       — Rush Limbaugh    *

Response:

Also on the subject of Grolsch bottles, is there any reason for replacing the gaskets as long as they are still soft and not cracked, scored, or otherwise damaged?  I presume it is desirable to turn them over each time they are used.  Granted they’re not all that expensive, but anywhere you can save a buck…

I don’t know if this will work, but the thought just occured to me. Could you use silicon to lub to gaskets?  You can get a little container of FOOD GRADE silicon at SCUBA Diving Shops for about $5. It is more then enough to last several people about forever if all they do is lube gaskets (I bought one about 5 years ago, use it all the time on O-rigns, etc, for my dive gear and have only used about %1-2. —

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, I know this was discussed a couple of months ago — I saw it but didn’t pay any attention because it didn’t apply to me at the time. Anyway, after bottling several batches in regular 12oz bottles, I have now acquired a few of the ceramic-stopper Grolsch bottles, plus a couple of 16oz bottles.  My question is, does the one-inch headspace rule still apply, or do I need to increase the headspace proporionally to prevent overcarbonation?  Since the difference is 4 oz == 1/3 more beer in the bottle, I assume that for the same carbonation I would need 1/3 more headspace in the bottle.  Comments?  Is the difference so small that I shouldn’t bother with it? Also on the subject of Grolsch bottles, is there any reason for replacing the gaskets as long as they are still soft and not cracked, scored, or otherwise damaged?  I presume it is desirable to turn them over each time they are used.  Granted they’re not all that expensive, but anywhere you can save a buck… Thanks in advance, e-mail is fine if you prefer. Jon * Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering *  of modern American       * * University of New Mexico                   *  societal decay."         * * Albuquerque, NM 87131                      *       — Rush Limbaugh    *

i’ve been using grolsch bottles for 3 years and haven’t changed a gasket yet. i wouldn’t worry about turning them over, they’re still being compressed at the same place by the same amount so i figure they’ll work the same either way. As far as air space goes, lately i’ve been reducing my air space to 3/4 to 1 inch and haven’t noticed any difference from 1.5" Hugh Hinskens Victoria B.C. Candada

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Also on the subject of Grolsch bottles, is there any reason for replacing the gaskets as long as they are still soft and not cracked, scored, or otherwise damaged?  I presume it is desirable to turn them over each time they are used.  Granted they’re not all that expensive, but anywhere you can save a buck… I don’t know if this will work, but the thought just occured to me. Could you use silicon to lub to gaskets?  You can get a little container of FOOD GRADE silicon at SCUBA Diving Shops for about $5. It is more then enough to last several people about forever if all they do is lube gaskets (I bought one about 5 years ago, use it all the time on O-rigns, etc, for my dive gear and have only used about %1-2. —

     A month or two (three?) back I posted a similar query about Grolsch gaskets (I bottle ^exclusively^ in Grolsch, although my kegging system’s all here except the kegs, but that’s another story…!).      The bottom line was that those of us using gasketed bottles either use the OEM gaskets that come with the empties, or replace the gaskets (as I do) and then re-use them.  People reported re-uses of the same gasket of 15 times or more, but I retire mine at about 10 cycles or so, just for safety’s sake.  I DO NOT USE ANY "sealer" or lubricant, and have not had a pressure failure in hundreds (perhaps close to 800) bottles.  I get my gaskets new for 8 cents each, and take them off of the caps before sanitizing them (inverted) in a dishwasher with the MAX settings (full/pot scrubber mode, heat dry, etc.; the works) and I add a half cup of bleach (full strength) instead of detergent.  Gaskets are sanitized in "normal" homebrew strength bleach soluton, or Iodophor for about an hour before bottling (while the bottles are washing/steaming).  No infections; no leaks.  I’ve been happy with the seals the gaskets give, and wouldn’t think of adding slimy/slippery material at the mouth of the bottle (event hough it IS silicon based) since this type of compound is often difficult to clean up, adn MAY effect the heading properties of the homebrew (note that additives which give a "clean rinse" in dishwater detergents are SODIUM SILICATES.  Anthing that’ll mess with the surface tension of a solution will stay away from MY beer!) Try an~ experiment for $5 and bottle a FEW with the silicone sealer, and see how it turns out; LET US KNOW!!!      Good luck, and good brewing,      Ames, Iowa

Response:

Well, I know this was discussed a couple of months ago — I saw it but didn’t pay any attention because it didn’t apply to me at the time. Anyway, after bottling several batches in regular 12oz bottles, I have now acquired a few of the ceramic-stopper Grolsch bottles, plus a couple of 16oz bottles.  My question is, does the one-inch headspace rule still apply, or do I need to increase the headspace proporionally to prevent overcarbonation?  Since the difference is 4 oz == 1/3 more beer in the bottle, I assume that for the same carbonation I would need 1/3 more headspace in the bottle.  Comments?  Is the difference so small that I shouldn’t bother with it?

Don’t worry. I use Phill’s Philler and leave 1/2" of space or so in any and hadn’t "noticed" any difference. Of course, I hadn’t looked either. Also on the subject of Grolsch bottles, is there any reason for replacing the gaskets as long as they are still soft and not cracked, scored, or otherwise damaged?  I presume it is desirable to turn them over each time they are used.  Granted they’re not all that expensive, but anywhere you can save a buck…

I use ‘em over and over. I do flip them, but don’t know if it is necessary. –Russ

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