Primetabs

[BeerSmith]

I was looking at Primetabs as an easy way to bottle a few bottles for competitions/friends without a lot of setup.

Anyone have good luck with them?  How many would you add to achieve a normal American (2.3-2.6 volume) carbonation level in a 12 oz bottle?

Thanks!
Brad

[Guy_Fawkes]

Hi
I haven't tried prime tabs yet but was just looking through the more beer catalog use 3-5 per 12 oz bottle for lower carbonation use 3 tablets and for higher carbonation use 5 tablets.
I hope this is somewhat of a help, been thinking of trying them myself.  

[BeerSmith]

Thanks!
 
I may give them a try on my next batch - I just need a few bottles for friends (the rest gets kegged).

Welcome too!

Brad

[ttreml3]

I was looking into them as well, but my local supplier (I can't quite call it a LHBS, since its a liquor store with some supplies) only had those Coopers carbonation drops like on the back of BYO.  They worked pretty decent, and it took only one for a 12 ounce bottle...
Not quite what you were looking for, but another option.
T

[BeerSmith]

Thanks!
 I'm really just looking for a quick way to bottle a few from each batch for competitions and gifts.

 I use a keg all of the time and have a CP filler, but I don't usually want to go through all of the setup and cleaning associated with the CP filler just to fill a few bottles.

Thanks again!

Brad

[carboy7]

I have used Coopers priming tablets, and had very good results. In fact, I usually brew about 6 gallons . So I keg 5 and bottle 1 gallon. Using the coopers tablets gives me a fairly good carbonation in the bottle without trying to figure out how much extract to use. I hope this is helpfull!

[borny]

I'm looking to do the same, however, keg three gallons and bottle two.  I think you only need 2-3 primetabs to get an average carbonation level.  what about sanitation of the prime tabs?  Once you open the package of prime tabs can't they get infected?


cheers,

borny

[cj_in_j]

Usually with Prime Tabs you'll need 4-5 for a 12-oz bottle to get good carbonation. I've had an open package for over a year and they worked perfectly without any contamination problems.

[carboy7]

I bought my Coopers tabs from www.Austinhomebrew.com. They worked very well. You only need one tablet for 12oz. and 2 tabs for 22oz. bottles. I have reused the same bag for 3 batches and have had no problem with sanitation. But I do spray my hands with alcohol first and during my bottling procedure.

[ttreml3]

... what about sanitation of the prime tabs?  Once you open the package of prime tabs can't they get infected?
...

I beleive that the concept is the same with pretzels etc.  There just isn't anything for bacteria to live on.  If they are sitting in a little water, look out, but otherwise they are fine.  The acidity and alcohol content of the finished beer also helps...
Cheers
T

[borny]

Well, then if there's no real problem with using the prime tabs.....  I best get strarted on bottling!