I am having a hard time getting the bottles to close? Any tricks? Are they defective?
1644571
I purchased these as a gift for my son-in-law and have not heard any complaints, so I can not answer your question. Sorry.
1644572
they are difficult to seal because they are tight. just make sure everything is lined up properly (and watch your fingers). they do get easier to seal with use. this is not a defect, however, they are made to seal tightly so that they protect your beer/kombucha etc and discourage leaks.
1644573
Same here, but we got them close..now HOW DO YOU OPEN IT? I'm afraid that when I bottle the Kombucha I wont be able to open them again.
1644574
Sometimes they are a little tough to begin with. Make certain that the side wires are lined up in their holes. Using both hands I hold the bottle from the opposite side and use both of my index fingers or thumbs to flip bail down. You actually want them to be tight to prevent leakage, etc. I have not had any problems with mine and am really pleased with them for Kombucha storage.
1644575
You are correct that it can be almost impossible to get the caps on. First of all, the caps are hard to get on just by their nature. BUT, if the cap is even slightly not perfectly positioned squarely over the bottle mouth, the cap will be VERY hard to get on. I have found that situating the cap slightly more toward the opposite side of the metal latch makes it perfectly seating when it is brought down allowing for a somewhat easy sealing of the bottle.
1644576
The caps can be tricky to assemble. Contact us before purchase and we will gladly assemble them for you (at no charge of course) before shipping. Already have the bottles? Call us at 1-888-BREWING for easy installation directions. Cheers!
351762
I haven't had that problem but this is how I get it closed. First, every few uses I use olive oil around only the angled edge of the pot that contacts the lid (as per the manual) I only use a little oil, almost wiping it all away. I loosen all of the wing nuts and then set the lid on the pot looking at how much space is between the two all the way around leveling this out as much as you can (it's never perfect). Then I flip up all the wing nuts into their notches. I turn one only until it contacts the lid, not pushing the lid down yet. Then I do the one directly across from it continuing like this until all are making contact, always going across from the last one I tightened. Then I start over with one tightening it most of the way, then the one across from it and so on. Basically I keep tightening across the lid and around until they are finger tight. Now, when my husband helps me can I always have seal failures and problems because he is strong and thinks everything needs to be tightened as tight as he can get get them and not so with the lid just hand tight by me and I am not strong. Now, if the canner is getting up to pressure I personally wouldn't worry about it. Mine may have a little bubble or sputter here and there and I don't notice it if it comes up to pressure. Hope this helps, it sounds very complicated when I typed it out but it isn't really when I do it just a system I follow.
117905
I seem to be the only one who has a bit of trouble getting them all screwed together. It is a bit more difficult than I'd like, but that said it's not enough of an issue that it would keep me from using them. I love the size and haven't had any issues with leaking. Though, like many of the other answerers I have not put liquid into them.
1232976
I have found that the first time it is hard to get them to stay, try running them thru the dishwasher on the to rack, and see it if it easier. I was super frustrated with them trying to use them the first coupe of times. But they seem to get better after a couple of uses. Hope this helps u.
1886148
Ive had that happen to me before. Happens in shipping and setting on the shelf. Ive had some success pulling them apart but I've also had to get them cold and shake the bottle to split them up.
1295895
I'm guessing you might not be turning the cap hard enough to break the seal. I have trouble opening bottles with caps like this, and I use a piece of rubber non-slip shelf liner to get a good grip on the cap to be able to turn it hard enough to break the seal.
2251965
I thought the same as well, but they do close, it's just tricky. You have to kind of keep your hand on one side of the bowl while closing the rest. Or press against yourself while closing at the same time, this may not make any sense, sorry! Hope you get it to close!
650636
What kind of bottles are you using? I've been using Sierra Nevada and Firestone Walker bottles and they go down 180, but some 22oz bottles don't go all the way. Even for some that cap and don't go 180, they were fine. After you cap a bottle, try really hard to twist it off. Shouldn't budge; if it does, use a different bottle. Hope this helps.
1662805
No, there isn't a trick haha. Mine really snap shut pretty hard so it takes a little strength to get them open but I never had a problem. Good luck.
826654
I had a lot of trouble with that also. I cut some slits on edge of lid so it would flare out further--not the best solution. They are still very hard to open and close. I have had buckets like this before and not had as much trouble.
416266
I can't say that I've ever had that problem... the ones I have seal tightly and I've not been able to remove the tops from my canisters without releasing the seal. That would be a real problem!
1927584
Try wetting it with warm water and sliding it onto the bottle, I had to do this, and I left it on to stretch it out, it wasn't easy, but it did finally work! Good luck!
2032361
If the seal is too tight I use a bottle cap opener. I will also turn the jar upside down and give the bottom a firm hit a few times. Hope this helps :)
214050
I have only purchased the larger bottles. The ones with a single lid seam to work better for me. If the seal stays intact, I don't have any trouble with leakage. I have one bottle that has a pop top on it, which is very convenient for pouring quickly, but it also pops off sometimes. I have not used the ones that look like baby bottles. I would contact the company & see what they are willing to do for you. All my experiences have been positive so far with the products they produce. Good Luck. (I don't have any suggestions for different brands of bottles that might be better.)
750915
Make sure the threads are in correctly and the arrows line up. Sometimes, we have to screw the bottom so the arrows almost line up or just past lining up. I think this is because we're switching bottoms between bottles? It's a little finicky. But with the wide latch top, still our baby's favorite bottle!
674719
I had a dickens of a time getting it to close as well. I had to eventually, but mindfully paying attention and pushed them together with a little bit of force. They are hard to open too. I would say I hate the aggravation of that immensely, however, that also means it isn't going to give easily if dropped!
754621
The bottom of the bottles comes off - to get the cork out, you have to remove the plastic seal on the end. It is fairly easy to push the cork INTO the bottle. Several recipients did get everything out through the small end, and boy did I hear about their struggles.