JRCasualBrewer 9 Posted November 6, 2018 I recently bottled a batch of porter from my LBK. I had run out of carbonation drops so I used sugar as directed. The bottles have been sitting for about two and a half weeks. I checked them last night and one of them was not firm at all. I could easily squeeze the bottle. From what I read, that means it’s not carbonating. Can I do anything to save my bottle? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mic-S 839 Posted November 6, 2018 I can't speak specifically to this but in my 1st-ever batch, I too was disappointed in the carbonation - until I realized (learned from guys here) that I was conditioning them in too cool and environment (~65F). Once I moved the bottles out into the warmer areas of my home (72F) the carbonation began in earnest. For that reason, I gave the bottles an extra week of conditioning (4 weeks) before I set them to age in the cooler area. Result was very satisfactory. The beer had pretty good head and definitely was more carbonated than I thought. Also, the longer they sat (after the 4 weeks) the better they carbonated. You could try that. Don't give up on it, tho. 😃 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JRCasualBrewer 9 Posted November 6, 2018 Thanks. The bottles are in a box in a pretty warm part of the house (68-72 daily) the other bottles have firmed up, but this one did not. I wasn’t sure if I could open it to add more drops or if that would risk contamination Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shrike 6,309 Posted November 6, 2018 10 minutes ago, JRCasualBrewer said: Thanks. The bottles are in a box in a pretty warm part of the house (68-72 daily) the other bottles have firmed up, but this one did not. I wasn’t sure if I could open it to add more drops or if that would risk contamination I "re-carb" beers quite often: thoroughly wash hands, unscrew cap, drop in two Domino's Dots, re-cap. If you're using regular sugar, sanitize whatever utensils you'll be using that will come into contact with the sugar or bottle. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JRCasualBrewer 9 Posted November 6, 2018 Thanks I will give it a try! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mic-S 839 Posted November 6, 2018 32 minutes ago, JRCasualBrewer said: Thanks. The bottles are in a box in a pretty warm part of the house (68-72 daily) the other bottles have firmed up, but this one did not. I wasn’t sure if I could open it to add more drops or if that would risk contamination If I understand you right, just one didn't firm up? That's a bit odd - perhaps you made the same mistake I did when I made my 2nd batch. Everything turned out perfect and the beer was delicious - except for one bottle. The one I got distracted on (by an untimely phone call) and forgot to dump out the sanitizer in it. LOL That bottle never carbonated, of course, and it tasted awful. The other were fabulous. You didn't screw-up when bottling it, did you? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mic-S 839 Posted November 6, 2018 5 minutes ago, JRCasualBrewer said: Thanks I will give it a try! Shrike knows a ton about brewing. I'd definitely try his suggestion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JRCasualBrewer 9 Posted November 6, 2018 Mic Todd i don’t recall getting distracted but I can’t guarantee I didn’t. I know I was struggling with the wet spoon (from sanitizing). Fingers crossed. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shrike 6,309 Posted November 6, 2018 3 hours ago, Mic Todd said: Shrike knows an ounce or two about brewing. I'd definitely try his suggestion. Fixed it for you. 😜😃 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mic-S 839 Posted November 6, 2018 1 hour ago, Shrike said: 😜😃 Compared to me, U know galaxies of information. 🤩 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jdub 3,153 Posted November 7, 2018 6 hours ago, Mic Todd said: Shrike knows a ton about brewing. I'd definitely try his suggestion. amen to that. i had a Munich Malt Monster batch that I waited 6 months for and then got flat beer. tried @Shrike's suggestion and it does work. just have to be patient. btw. NEVER have problems using 12 oz glass. only flat beer problems have been using PET bottles. i have stopped using them. not worth the risk to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zorak1066 1,464 Posted November 7, 2018 never had problems with pet bottles. make sure the cap is screwed down. check the top of the cap for separation.. if youre a gorilla fist like me and overtorque you can cause the top to crack off the sides. put the bottles in over 70f ambient temp. replace your caps after about 4-5 uses... if you really want to be ocd. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RickBeer 6,362 Posted November 7, 2018 You can drop in carb drops. Don't try dropping in table sugar... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
76shovel 459 Posted November 11, 2018 I've used and reused the PET bottles and same caps for over two years now and only had two not firm up. I might have missed them or just miscounted my dots. Adding a couple dots and waiting a few more weeks firmed them up nicely. Not sure if the oxygen barrier bottles are the trick or not but I think over 90% of my bottles are the Oxy barrier type. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KLR 16 Posted November 24, 2018 I usually check my bottles at least once a week while they're carbonating. If I have a bottle that's not carbonating I will carefully add a carbonation drop or two depending on bottle size. Drops are easier than adding sugar for this. I place the bottle in a sink, unscrew the cap, and drop I in a carb drop and recap immediately. Do not wait to recap because it will foam over. Repeat this for each carb drop, and make sure your hands are clean or use a sanitized tweezers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zorak1066 1,464 Posted November 27, 2018 yeast might be slow to carb... adding sugar is just asking for bottle bombs if you already added the appropriate amount. klr just move them to a slightly warmer area and give them another week. ive had flat bottles do nothing until the third week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites