• PATRONS: Did you know we've a chat function for you now? Look to the bottom of the screen, you can chat, set up rooms, talk to each other individually or in groups! Click 'Chat' at the right side of the chat window to open the chat up.
  • Love Gotmead and want to see it grow? Then consider supporting the site and becoming a Patron! If you're logged in, click on your username to the right of the menu to see how as little as $30/year can get you access to the patron areas and the patron Facebook group and to support Gotmead!
  • We now have a Patron-exclusive Facebook group! Patrons my join at The Gotmead Patron Group. You MUST answer the questions, providing your Patron membership, when you request to join so I can verify your Patron membership. If the questions aren't answered, the request will be turned down.

Defusing bottle bombs?

Barrel Char Wood Products

CosmicCharlie

NewBee
Registered Member
Nov 15, 2004
284
1
0
Well, they're not bottle bombs, but I had a Cosmic Blueberry the other night, and to my surprise it was carbonated. Looking back at my notes, I bottled it when the SG was 1.008. Although I thought it was done fermenting, I obviously was wrong.

So, I had the crazy thought that I could uncap them to release the pressure, then recap. Is this a bad idea? Should I just put them in the fridge and live with a carbonated batch?

As always, thanks!
 

pain

GotMead Owner
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Apr 5, 1996
1,698
18
38
North Carolina
gotmead.com
Are they crown capped, corked or in grolsh bottles?

Problem is, just removing the cap can cause a mead volcano (been there, done that, took a week to get it off the 12 foot ceilings, LOL).

If its still fermenting, then releasing the carbonation is only a temp solution, it may go ahead and re-carbonate. If you put them in the fridge, it will cause a cold break, and stop further carbonation (unless you've got really tough yeasties).

If they're in thick bottles, i.e. champagne bottles, grolsh bottles or beer bottles, they won't explode. If they're in wine bottles, tho, you might want to do a cold break, open them, and decant them into new bottles, and off the yeasties that are still in there....

Vicky - remembering the blood-colored pool of raspberry mead and corks on the other side of the basement from the bottles...
 

CosmicCharlie

NewBee
Registered Member
Nov 15, 2004
284
1
0
Yeah, when I had one the other night, it didn't "volcano", so I thought re-capping might be possible. They are in 12 oz beer bottles, crown capped.
 

pain

GotMead Owner
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
Apr 5, 1996
1,698
18
38
North Carolina
gotmead.com
CosmicCharlie said:
Yeah, when I had one the other night, it didn't "volcano", so I thought re-capping might be possible. They are in 12 oz beer bottles, crown capped.

Then they won't blow up, beer bottles are *tough*. So, your options are 1) Drink it carbonated or 2) Rack into other bottles off the yeasties.

Personally, I'd take a), but then, I'm lazy.....LOL

Vicky - who has about 60 gallons in various stages all over the kitchen, and *really* needs to bottle *soon*, if only to free up buckets and carboys
 
Barrel Char Wood Products

Viking Brew Vessels - Authentic Drinking Horns