Bottles -- PET vs glass

[Ramjet]

I use glass. The 750ml fairly heavy ones which I've accumulated over the years.

 

Tried using twist-top stubbies, but they didn't seem to seal as well (for me) even using a bench capper. I know that some of you have been using them with no issues at all.

 

But PET -- the type you buy from Coopers -- are they intended to be refilled? And if so, how do you wash them if they get gunk in them? Hot water?

 

And how do you reconcile their use with scary items like this from http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/a/plastic_bottles.htm

"Even Plastic Water and Soda Bottles Should Not Be Reused

Health advocates also recommend not reusing bottles made from plastic #1 (polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET or PETE), including most disposable water, soda and juice bottles. According to The Green Guide, such bottles may be safe for one-time use, but re-use should be avoided because studies indicate they may leach DEHP\u2014another probable human carcinogen\u2014when they are in less-than-perfect condition."

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CAUTION -- LIVING IS A HEALTH HAZARD!!!

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[King Ruddager]

I use PET bottles and what works best for me is to rinse them immediately after emptying them and then use a vinator to give them a squirt of no-rinse sanitiser on bottling day.

 

This is a vinator in action -

 

As for the other thing ... no idea sorry. Sounds a bit like one of those "contains deadly chemicals" scares, but even apple seeds contains cyanide.

 

For now I'm sticking with PET as I don't have a safe place to put glass bottles. They suit me fine.

[ben 10]

Coopers ones are made for re use - notice they do not have recyclable number thing on them? They have a vinyl layer or something to make them hold gas.

I rinse after drinking the bottle in cool to warm water then sanitise prior to filling.

[LordEoin]

Yeah, cheaper disposable PET bottles have little or no lamination on the inside, Coopers bottles do.

Just treat them right, dont expose them to too much heat or light, and dump any ones if you notice the inside lamination is deteriorating.

 

The gunk is usually pretty easy to clean out. Quarter fill with warm water, add the cap, shake the hell out of it, drain.

Rinse and repeat until you're pouring out clean water with no foam (2 or 3 rinses).

[PhilbyT]

I use PET bottles and what works best for me is to rinse them immediately after emptying them and then use a vinator to give them a squirt of no-rinse sanitiser on bottling day.

How many bottles would you sanitise with the vinator thingy before changing the liquid in it?

Would you just the one lot of liquid to do one lot of bottles for a 23L batch?[unsure]and is Starsan no rinse?

[King Ruddager]

All 30 (give or take) 750mL PETs get done with the same 1L mixture of water and no-rinse sanitiser. It's not StarSan because in the vinator it just foams way too much and I end up with foam everywhere, so I think the brand I use is "beer essentials"?

 

I've never had an infected bottle in 30 batches, so that's nearly 1,000 bottles I suppose. Again though, the key is to rinse it thoroughly after pouring.

[BarryH3]

I prefer the 750m glass bottles I have some with crown seals and some with flip tops. I use these for my better brews.If I run out of glass I revert to the PET bottles as is the case at the moment. Rinse after emptying, then I soak them for a few days in a 60ltre garbage bin using nappysan,on bottling day 1 litre of water with 2 caps of no rinse sanitiser. Found out not to use boiling water the hard way in the early days when the bottles distorted. Made up peices of acrylic sheet to fit in a milk crate, drilled 40mm holes in same, suspend approx.50mm from bottom of crate,invert the bottles in holes to drain. Works on all my bottles.

[Beeblebrox]

I use PET bottles, and I have no intention of changing.

PET bottles don't bust when you slip trying to seal them with a crown seal.

PET bottles don't usually explode from beer bombs; they may crack, split or spill, but don't generally cause as much damage or mess if overcarbed beer left to condition in them.

PET bottles are lighter, therefore easier to carry, and less likely to cause injury whilst carrying them.

I get that there are just as many arguments for using glass, but I don't use glass out of choice, not because I haven't been converted.

Obviously it's up to each of us in all steps of our brewing bottling and consumption to make our own choices, I just wanted to share my view.[biggrin]

[Otto Von Blotto]

I use all glass bottles. I've never used PET bottles in my brewery. I don't have a vendetta against them, but I would rather just buy beer in glass bottles and re use them than buy a heap of empty bottles.

 

I wouldn't be too scared of that article in the OP either. It's basically an urban legend that's been around about 10 years that has been debunked numerous times, a bit like the squeezing the grain bag causing astringency in beer rubbish[lol]. Those types of sites always crap on about "studies have indicated" but never link to any studies to back up their claims. The only one they link to refers to BPA which isn't even used in PET bottles. The "green guide" they link to looks about as factual as any conspiracy nonsense posted on sites like naturalnews.com and the like.

 

Check this out. http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/plasticbottles.asp

 

There are a few links in there to actual scientific studies/evidence that debunks the myth.

[Muddy Waters]

I like both - as long as you pour the beer into a nice clean glass to drink it will taste exactly the same.

 

I tended to use mainly PETs towards the end of my bottling days as they were just the right size to fit on the top shelf of the fridge [rightful]