Mason Jars
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.
Ok folks, for what's it's worth, I gave a mason jar a shot today at the end of my batch. I had just enough left to fill a quart jar leaving what I considered the appropriate amount of head space....I'll let everyone know in a few weeks what the verdict is.
Cheers
Good call, Gizmo. I'm curious, too, but wouldn't want to lose a whole batch. I have to ask, though, was it really much less difficult filling and sealing that jar than capping a bottle? Actually, I guess I should compare it to the work of at least a couple of bottles...
I ran out of bottles recently and searched for anything I could put a little beer in. I used one wide mouth quart mason jar and two regular mouth jars. I don't think the wide mouth will work- the wide mouth jar lid puffed way up and kinked, letting pressure out. The other two puffed up, but not as much. I left an inch of headspace, which was probably too much, but the beer tasted fine. It was not very carbonated, however and I don't know if it was a headspace issue or a leak issue. (I also did not use new lids which I think is a big canning no-no) I am going to try again because a case of 12 quart jars from Walmart is $8.64 and it doesn't get much easier.
Well, to each their own, but here's my update....I lost 32 oz of beer because just like Leeler5, my lid swelled up and kinked and let off pressure. I've seen enough to know that the little bit of effort this saves is not worth losing the beer.
cheers
Gizmo, did you use a wide mouth or a regular mouth jar? If you had the kinking problem with the narrow opening I may not try again.
Mine was the quart jar with the narrow opening. I left about an 1" down of head space and in about 5 days it pushed through. What's more is that because I was sceptical, I had it down in my laundry room which stays at about 65F. I wonder what would have happened if I had stored it at normal room temp....
I'm sticking with my bottles. Until I decide to get into kegging, I'm not sure there's any other way to make it easier/better.
I'm not sure a Mason-type jar will do well with internal pressure. When you can you form a partial vacuum in the jar. The seals are designed to keep outside air at a relatively higher pressure from getting in. Carbonated beverages would be just the opposite--higher relative pressure inside pushing out. Interested to know how it works out.
I know that this is an old thread, but I stumbled across it and and have successfully bottled in mason jars. They do make darker mason jars, but they are hard to come by:
http://www.buysellcommunity.com/sale/LQKZUEDX/
If you manage to track down the older style mason jars that are swing tops, they can hold the necessary pressure to keep a beer carbonated. The newer jars with the screw on metal lids are built for canning so that they can create a negative seal. They are not designed for carbonated beverages. Happy brewing!
I would say that if you are looking for a way to bottle more beer and sanitize less, american "champagne" bottles have what looks to me to be a top that you could put a bottle cap on. And, if you go to sam's club (where no membership is needed to buy booze), they sell a magnum (1.5 liter bottle) of cook's for like 9 bucks. That allows for one night of fun, when you drink a fun-sized double bottle of champagne, and another night of fun, when you break out a magnum of homebrew at a party to impress your friends.
well fellow brewers i have tried it just last night i picked up my test brew i placed in a mason jar a one pint
size screw lid that i used dried malt extract to carbonate. for the last ten DAYS I WOULD CHECK THE BREW
every day . i would check the seal for leakage after shaking it . i placed the pint brew in a dark room that i ferment in . every day when i would check it i would give it a couple of shakes (like a rolling shake from top to bottom ) just to see the carbonation. last night i opened the brew with a woosh as it opened . and i found a
nice refreshing discovery . i believe it can be done . the brew tasted fine . Im not done testing this weekend
i going to bottle again , and i will put up about 6 pints in ten days i'll tell you if it turns out ok .
now on the other hand i had some yeast starters i wanted to save back for small test back i'm working on for a test brew before i do a 10 gallon batch i had three of the pint jars in the fridge with yeast in them .
one i filled too much and found tonight a little seap around the lid so i dont want to jump on the jars totally yet
it still was holding back a lot of pressure when i opened it . to poor it out not knowing if it had been compromised . i still feel with all said it was slightly leaking under a lot of pressure
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