StillSmart

Re: bottleing

2013-01-05T23:10:18+00:00

YHB wrote:
I have not heard this before, any chance of some form documentation that will identify the problem. All the charts and literature I have indicates that silicone is suitable for sealing whiskey and ethanol.

I only know that their use is forbidden in distilleries. I would hazard a guess that rubber is not used because it contains sulphur compounds that could taint the spirits. Why do you replace rubber seals for silicon ones? The use of silicon in many products is controversial and I can tell you from personnel experience, having once been a dairy farmer that the use of silicon suction cups and other silicon fittings in Northern Irish Dairy farms are prohibited.
If you Google prohibited materials in commercial distillation for human consumption I'm sure you'll get all the "documentation" you are looking for.
regards Ricky

Statistics: Posted by RickyRasper — Sat Jan 05, 2013 11:10 pm

Re: bottleing

2013-01-05T19:02:23+00:00

I have not heard this before, any chance of some form documentation that will identify the problem. All the charts and literature I have indicates that silicone is suitable for sealing whiskey and ethanol.

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Sat Jan 05, 2013 7:02 pm

Re: bottleing

2013-01-05T17:04:30+00:00

I hear a lot of people recommending the use of silicone seals. A friend who works in the Bushmills distillery says that the use of silicone in spirits production is completely forbidden by health & safety legislation, this includes the use of rubber and silicon seals on bottles containing alcohol with an abv higher than 19%!!! Be careful people,very careful.

Statistics: Posted by RickyRasper — Sat Jan 05, 2013 5:04 pm

Re: bottleing

2012-10-24T08:51:25+00:00

I buy spirit style screw top bottles and capa from here.

They have a good range.

http://www.colouredbottles.co.uk/

Statistics: Posted by LeeH — Wed Oct 24, 2012 8:51 am

Re: bottleing

2012-10-23T21:13:42+00:00

I ordered some silicone seals from an ebay link Brian YHB posted but they're smaller. They do work after some messing with them.

Also, my 2 litre Kilner jars seem to have silicone seals already.

Statistics: Posted by John51 — Tue Oct 23, 2012 9:13 pm

Re: bottleing

2012-10-23T08:00:30+00:00

I use Kilner jars too and managed to get some silicone and cut out seals for them - much better that the rubber seals as they don't appear affected in any way by the spirit while the rubber ones always got discoloured, smelly and perished.

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Tue Oct 23, 2012 8:00 am

Re: bottleing

2012-10-23T07:35:20+00:00

I've been using Ikea Slom bottles for well over a year now. I DO try to make sure that the spirit does not come in contact with the lid seal aty all times. When the bottle is empty, I give the seals a soak in boiling water and an 'airdry'.
To the best of my knowledge, the seals are still working well, the spirit does NOT take on noticeable 'flavour' from the seals, however the seals DO have a tendency to take on some of the scent from the bottled spirit (even after cleaning).....

Statistics: Posted by Frank — Tue Oct 23, 2012 7:35 am

Re: bottleing

2012-10-09T11:14:15+00:00

I was just about to start a thread wrt the safety of seals on the storage jars so of course got to read this thread again.

ime, Kilner is the standard for jars, never had a leaky one yet but some of the Ikea ones don't seal properly. There's a brand more expensive than Kilner,something to with Parfait iirc, looks classier than Kilner with a price to match.

To test, half fill with water and invert. The Kilners are such good value though, no point imo to risk a duff seal by buying cheaper.

Statistics: Posted by John51 — Tue Oct 09, 2012 11:14 am

Re: bottleing

2012-09-11T16:50:13+00:00

Just to echo what has been said, if you can avoid it then do. I have stored a 2L preserve jar with 55% whisky for the best part of 12 months (forgot about it) that had a white rubber seal, without any issue.
It was in the cool, I know some of the aussies cant even brew in the summer time due to the heat, so low ambient temps may be a factor in this case.

Statistics: Posted by Capt-Cudellez — Tue Sep 11, 2012 4:50 pm

Re: bottleing

2012-09-11T15:17:15+00:00

I tend to store my bottles upright and at 40%, I haven't noticed any off smells or tastes from them. However, if you cap a demijohn with a rubber bung you can get some horrible smells from it, especially at higher strengths. If they're rubber ones on the bottle you mention Stephen, I'd definitely avoid having them in direct contact and if possible replace as the guys have mentioned.

Statistics: Posted by Jimmy — Tue Sep 11, 2012 3:17 pm

Re: bottleing

2012-09-08T09:46:14+00:00

Hey! that man thinks like me! Great minds Brian, great minds!

That's what I do too! I got an engineering friend of mine to make me a two ring cutter which slices out the silicone by putting it on the sheet and tapping all around with a light hammer to make a nice clean seal which fits the 3lt Kilner Preserve jars I use for flavouring spirits.

I just remembered I loaned that cutter to a brewing acquaintance who has not returned it and now deserves a rollicking!

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Sat Sep 08, 2012 9:46 am

Re: bottleing

2012-09-08T07:44:34+00:00

I use similar bottles and jars but remove the "rubber" seals of unknown material and replace them with silicone ones that I cut from Silicone cookware/cookie sheets.

I do not know if it is an improvement or not, but it makes me feel better knowing that I have tried.

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Sat Sep 08, 2012 7:44 am

Re: bottleing

2012-09-08T07:03:20+00:00

Quick question re the Slom style bottles and the jars...I have found something similar to these very cheap near home...they have a orange/red rubber seal as they are normally used for preserves...I cannot see the alcohol coming into contact with the rubber but was wondering if anyone has had experience with these seals...I am wondering if the evaporated alcohol will perish or cause foul tastes to leach from the plastics...I guess I can drop out the seal ...it will just increase the angels share...gotta love them angels. any thoughts appreciated as these are the cheapest alternative I have found....I kea is 6 hours drive from my home. Thanks for any help.
Stephen

Statistics: Posted by stephenkentucky — Sat Sep 08, 2012 7:03 am

bottleing

2011-03-10T21:26:51+00:00

I tend to mix it down to 40%, filter, store and then re-filter as it doesn\'t take too long (and I reuse the carbon).
The big problem with not mixing it down is that it is highly flammable at over 53/55% so if you did have a fire then it\'s only going to make it worse.
Also if you have really clean odour free spirit then you have a container of what looks and smells like water but isn\'t.
At least at 40% the effects of any accidents that could happen are reduced.
Just my 2p worth.

Statistics: Posted by MrCat — Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:26 pm

bottleing

2011-03-10T12:53:26+00:00

Sorry for all these questions folks. I\'m just starting out and I\'ve found this site and the people who use it VERY helpful thus far so....With the base distilled spirit that isn\'t going to be used (ie flavored for drinking) straight away what is the best \'spirit\' to store? Do you store as straight distilled 60%ABV or mixed down to,say, 40%ABV with water first. If 40%ABV, is it best to filter before storage or wait and filter when ready for flavoring etc. BTW, for storage I intend using some of those 1 litre glass SLOM bottles from IKEA (thanks for the tip Jimmy)

Statistics: Posted by Frank — Thu Mar 10, 2011 12:53 pm