Help needed - leaky crown seals

[r055c0]

I've noticed that my last few brews have lacked a bit of fizz, something I had attributed to the fact that I am cold crashing before bottling now (I had guessed less yeast in suspension = slower carbonation times) and assumed the fizz would pick up over the next few weeks, but I handed out a few bottles to some work mates a couple of days ago and got back reports of bottles slowly emptying themselves if left lying on thier sides. A shake and listen reveals the crown seals are leaking (slowly but enough to half empty a bottle).

I've been brewing for 5 years now and have always used a mix of brigalow and coopers seals, and have never had a broblem in the past. I have a bench top capper set to the same height as it always is, and I use the same bottles for everything as I have a steady supply from the family alcoholic.

All brews affected have been capped with the brigalow crown seals, all purchased at the same time.

So I have two questions:

1 - Is this a bad batch of crown seals? Is it happening to anyone else?

2 - How can I save the 150 + bottles of beer in my garage? Should I just recap them with a different brand of seals? Do I need to add more sugar to get the carb happening again? Will I need to drink all 150 bottles tonight to prevent wasteage???

Any insights would be very much appreciated

 

[Smokomark]

Get your mates around and drink it all tonite.

 

[r055c0]

I'm not having those muppets around at my house!! Will have to drink it myself.

 

[Phillo]

Mate, I posted the exact same thing on another forum a few weeks ago.

For about 5 batches, all of my twist offs were going flat except the ones bottled with Coopers seals. I don't know if the metal is softer/more malleable, meaning it forms a tighter seal with the thread, but the brigalow ones just weren't cutting the mustard.

I replaced the bell on my capper, and now I need a jackhammer to get them off.

Hope this helps champ.

 

[DU99]

try getting some swingtop bottles.i use to use cooper's caps,or try brewcraft in melbourne they often sell good caps

 

[r055c0]

Yeah, will be staying away from the brigalow ones in the future.

Any thoughts on recapping the beer with fresh seals?

 

[tiprya]

This happened on my screw caps every now and then (especially when shaken up in the car), so I've ditched them all and only use coopers tallies now - don't have a problem with them.

 

[Edgebrew]

Yeah maybe replace the bell on your capper. They do wear out.

 

[r055c0]

Good idea Edgebrew, I'll pick one up this weekend.

I'm still toying with the idea of recapping the bottles, I want to add sugar to bring the fizz back but I don't want to create any bottle bombs.

 

[Yob]

Yeah maybe replace the bell on your capper. They do wear out.

Are you saying he has worn out bis bell end?

 

[r055c0]

I have been giving it a pounding lately...

 

[Yob]

I would suggest some good lever action

 

[r055c0]

Can you tell me a bit about the importance of lubrication during vigourous lever action?

 

[djar007]

Sounds like its off to Thailand for a rebuild. Quality workmanship at an affordable price.

 

[Yob]

Can you tell me a bit about the importance of lubrication during vigourous lever action?

it's the downward stroke that is the important one

 

[zoigl]

I have noticed that my long neck crown seals have been leaking and the beer quite flat. I have been using both coopers and woolies house brand crown seals.
I found that my Italian capper left a dent from the magnet in the caps and the finished seals were a bit lopsided. I have had this capper for a number of years, but it looks similar to KL's lever action model.
I was given another bell which fitted my capper. This brand new bell looked pretty rough, to be honest, but I swapped them. I found the new bell pushed the same caps on much further onto the bottles. The magnet doesn't hold as well, but it definitely seals better. There is no dent made by the magnet in the crown seals now.
I hope this helps someone.