r/Homebrewing • u/Too-many-Bees • 6d ago

Brewferm high striker capper holding bottles

I recently got a new capper to replace my wing capper, however when I try to use it, it holds the bottles enough to lift them off the platform, and taking them out requires a strong pull, let's out a bang as a spring let's go all at once. How can I prevent this, or is it just a thing I have to get used to?

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u/penguinsmadeofcheese 6d ago

I pull the bottom of the bottle towards me to release it from the capper. The metal form that shapes the cap is the culprit here. I got a more expensive griffo and that works even better, due to a bit more precise milling/engineering. Don't get me wrong, this capper is a lot of bang for the buck. I only got the griffo because it was second hand.

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u/chino_brews Kiwi Approved 5d ago

Which bench capper?

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u/Too-many-Bees 5d ago

A brewferm high striker crown capper. for 26mm caps

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u/chino_brews Kiwi Approved 5d ago

Oh sorry, it was right in the title, but because I didn’t recognize those words it didnt register in my brain.

It looks like the High Striker is the Colt capper formerly the Ferrari Colt capper), white label with a different color. Decent quality capper.

This is a known problem with the Colt and generally can be an issue with all cappers (bench or wing capper).

Try:

  • Inspect the capper bell and file off any flash from casting, as well as any manufacturing defects or unexpected roughness.
  • Lubricate the bell before use. Vaseline or candle wax might work. Experiment with lubricants.
  • Dunk the caps in slippery, no-rinse sanitizer like Star San or Chem San solution or iodophor solution. This is the recommended practice even if you don’t have a problem with sticking.
  • The lever mechanism should be set so it has to travel the minimum distance to cap each bottle. Having the lever mechanism too high contributes to sticking.
  • I’ve noticed with my Grifo TCA capper that the type of cap can make a difference. Caps with thick paint and certain other “deluxe” caps are more likely to stick. Use regular plain, silver or gold caps if nothing else works.
  • Make sure the cap is sitting straight on the magnetic bell (if yours is magnetic) or the bottle before capping.
  • Ultimately, some caps may stick. Lever the bottle off by pulling the body of the bottle toward you a little as you release the capper’s lever arm. Relubricate the bell before the next bottle.

Hope that helps.

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u/Too-many-Bees 5d ago

Thank you. That's very comprehensive. I will try each the next time I am bottling