Vials, caps, crimpers

[Benny]

I am looking at brewing my own gear, and wondering where everyone gets their vials and caps, and what type of crimper you're using. I don't want to use the pre sterilized vials. I prefer to sterilize my own and end up with the flip off caps when I'm done. I just like to finish with a professional looking vial. Any tips are always greatly appreciated.

 

[Docd187123]

I got mine from medlab supply about a year and a half ago. 10,20,50,100ml vials, rubber stoppers, flip top caps, and a 45mm flip top cap crimper I believe.

 

[calilineman5150]

I got mine from medlab supply about a year and a half ago. 10,20,50,100ml vials, rubber stoppers, flip top caps, and a 45mm flip top cap crimper I believe.

I use em too just make sure you get the right crimping tool, I didn't, lol scrub my first vials were garbage. start off small and fuck up small I started with 100ml and its easier to make adjustments once you've got it down

 

[calilineman5150]

I like the red rubber stoppers over the grey from medlabs btw

 

[Docd187123]

I use em too just make sure you get the right crimping tool, I didn't, lol scrub my first vials were garbage. start off small and fuck up small I started with 100ml and its easier to make adjustments once you've got it down

I got the wrong crimper at first as well. While I waited for them to exchange it I just used a knife and spoon to make the crimp.

 

[Benny]

I was looking at the 20mm flip tops, vials, and crimpers. Any input to make sure I get right things first?

 

[Docd187123]

I was looking at the 20mm flip tops, vials, and crimpers. Any input to make sure I get right things first?

Just make sure to get the crimpers for 20mm flip tops. You'll also need 20mm butyl stoppers.

 

[hotdog23]

How do ya'll sterilize the open vials? I was thinking alcohol bath then boiling while waiting to fill?

I'm pretty confident this isn't the best way...

 

[Benny]

How do ya'll sterilize the open vials? I was thinking alcohol bath then boiling while waiting to fill?

I'm pretty confident this isn't the best way...

I was planning to use autoclave to sterilize everything. Can buy a kettle type new for under $300 on eBay

 

[hotdog23]

I was planning to use autoclave to sterilize everything. Can buy a kettle type new for under $300 on eBay

Very affordable. Don't know anything about them but I'm sure I can figure it out

 

[Benny]

From what research I've done, it seems the money well spent and good way to sterilize before brewing as well as sterilize finished product.

 

[Docd187123]

How do ya'll sterilize the open vials? I was thinking alcohol bath then boiling while waiting to fill?

I'm pretty confident this isn't the best way...

To sterilize open vials, first wash them with a non soap detergent, something not fat based, or labratory glassware cleaner. Rinse them with tap water by filling them till they overflow with water 6x. Do a final rinse or two with distilled water. You can do all rinses with distilled but since I'm laying for the distilled water and I have up to 100ml vials I'd rather use tap at first then distilled for the final rinse. After that place them on a cookie sheet with aluminum foil opening down and put them in the oven at 500deg F for 2hrs minimum. I normally do around 2.5-3hrs since the oven temps can be inaccurate.

 

[hotdog23]

To sterilize open vials, first wash them with a non soap detergent, something not fat based, or labratory glassware cleaner. Rinse them with tap water by filling them till they overflow with water 6x. Do a final rinse or two with distilled water. You can do all rinses with distilled but since I'm laying for the distilled water and I have up to 100ml vials I'd rather use tap at first then distilled for the final rinse. After that place them on a cookie sheet with aluminum foil opening down and put them in the oven at 500deg F for 2hrs minimum. I normally do around 2.5-3hrs since the oven temps can be inaccurate.

That sounds horrible doc lol. Prob no trouble with the jugs but I will be using the 10mls unfortunately

 

[Benny]

To sterilize open vials, first wash them with a non soap detergent, something not fat based, or labratory glassware cleaner. Rinse them with tap water by filling them till they overflow with water 6x. Do a final rinse or two with distilled water. You can do all rinses with distilled but since I'm laying for the distilled water and I have up to 100ml vials I'd rather use tap at first then distilled for the final rinse. After that place them on a cookie sheet with aluminum foil opening down and put them in the oven at 500deg F for 2hrs minimum. I normally do around 2.5-3hrs since the oven temps can be inaccurate.

Wow that's labor intensive. Would washing them with non soap detergent and then autoclave with opening down accomplish the same?

 

[Docd187123]

That sounds horrible doc lol. Prob no trouble with the jugs but I will be using the 10mls unfortunately

Unfortunately I do it with 10ml vials also. It's the only method I've seen that I would use. I would NOT do the alcohol bath method. Not for the vials.

 

[Docd187123]

Wow that's labor intensive. Would washing them with non soap detergent and then autoclave with opening down accomplish the same?

It might but then the moisture on them would allow them to be contaminated much faster than if they were dry. You wouldn't be able to dry them instantly so the risk is much greater for contamination this way.

 

[pmac928]

I was planning to use autoclave to sterilize everything. Can buy a kettle type new for under $300 on eBay

Are these the same type you would see in a tatoo shop?

 

[Benny]

Yup

 

[Big_paul]

Unless you going into business, you can buy sterile vials from getpinz.
That's what I do. I think its worth the extra pennies.

The crimper should be easy. I would get one that uses the fancy flip top. It makes your gear look cooler.

 

[Benny]

Ordered flip tops and proper crimper. Not going in business, but I do take pride in what I do