Mason Jars
why is everybody so scared of using a mason jar????
the pub owner / homebrewer said they work great. so what's the harm in trying it?
if you've got a mason jar lying around, try it out on your next batch.
as for the potential problems...
- OXIDATION: I don't see the oxidation being a big issue. you normally leave about 1" of air at the top of a bottle, so with a mason jar leave about 1/4" of air at the top.
- LIGHT EXPOSURE: well that's a no-brainer, just put them in a dark place, like inside a cardboard box or dark-colored plastic tote.
- PRESSURE/SEAL: I think they would handle the pressure ok as long as they are not bottled prematurely. a mason jar's lid is thin metal which will be able to expand upwards under pressure. the lid's expansion will reduce the pressure against the glass. if anything I would guess the seal would give before the jar itself would explode.
I would put it inside a covered plastic tote (you can get them at Walmart for less than $5)... putting it inside a tote will not only protect the beer from light exposure, but will protect anything/anyone around it if the jar explodes.
hopefully somebody will try it before... but I will try with at least 1 mason jar once I buy some brewing equipment. if it doesn't work out, who cares??? you'll still have the remaining 20-21 bottles of perfect beer 
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madhatter wrote:
dlg great point i think i just ruled out using mason jars as to complicated just use the regular bottles i been using thanks for the fino
Madhatter.... there is this thing called punctuation you know... it makes messages easier to read. Please look into it.
Well BeerKing, you certainly can use mason jars. But here is how I look at it. I have known about a dozen homebrewers, and I know at least 3 of them were borderline professional. Not a single one of them used mason jars. Just because this homebrewer you speak of uses them does not mean that is the best method.
If mason jars were so great, why doesn't Charlie Papazian or John Palmer speak of it?
If you want to use them, go ahead. I personally think it is a mistake. Clear glass, I do not believe they hold a good seal, and the glass is thin, unlike a beer bottle.
Feel free to experiment.
I wouldn't try it based on my experience with canning foods in the jars with the metal lids and screw-on bands. I've done a little canning, but my mom canned a LOT of fruits, jams & jellies when I was growing up. I personally haven't seen a jar seal that wasn't heated.
The other reason I wouldn't try; when I open a bottle of beer, there is a fast release of CO2 whose escape seems to be controlled by the neck of the bottle. With a mason jar, I'd be afraid to remove the band for fear that the pressure built up by carbonation would pop the lid off once the band was removed. After all, with a mason jar there is no restriction between the surface of the beer and the opening.
as I said earlier, I would be happy to try it out once I get some brewing equipment. I am not scared to try it just because something might go wrong... worst case scenario the jar doesn't hold a seal or it breaks/explodes (which would be contained within the plastic tote, posing no threat to anything or anyone around it).
all I'm saying is that instead of coming up with reasons why not to try, just try it!!!
- if it works (and works good), then we have a new, easier way to bottle beer
- if it doesn't work, then you've only lost 1 mason jar worth of beer... it's just beer, not solid gold... you'll live, trust me.
there's no harm in trying.
@cubx, you are entitled to your opinion and I respect that. you certainly have much more experience than I do, I just wish you would be a little more open minded instead of simply saying "no, it won't work and it's a stupid idea" and refusing to try. (yes, I know you didn't say those exact words ).
also, what does it matter if Charlie Papazian or John Palmer never suggested using a mason jar? that only means that they never tried it (and probably never even thought of trying it). it doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with trying simply because they didn't mention it. (they also never said not to try it, did they )
hopefully somebody will just try it so we can find out instead of theorizing... happy brewing fellas!!
BeerKing,
Ok I understand. Well, I still don't plan to try it, but if you wish to, please experiment and let us know how it turns out. I just don't feel comfortable with it.
We all might learn something new, ya never know.
BeerKing, I'm with cubx on this one. If you want to try it, that is your decision; at least you are going into it knowing why it's something others have decided not to try.
Just one question though... don't bottles sometimes explode while being held, perhaps in the process of opening? Unrelated to the mason jar issue, I'm more worried about a bottle exploding in my hand and face than I am with it blowing up in a box.
Yes, Mason Jars have been in use for some time . You should try it , it would give a new experience
I've used Mason jars for canning fruits/veg but not for beverages. I'd be interested in hearing about your experiences.