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I have only used the blue or others like it in 5 or 6 gal jugs a few times, but if you tighten them when hot (soon after filling with 185-190F syrup) then tighten and turn them on their side for at least 30 seconds they will do well, as long as the jug was clean to start. I never even used a wrench to tighten, but often needed one to loosen the caps when opening.
I've a question on bulk packing. I usually bottle everything, but I still have inventory from last year, so I thought I'd store half this year. Those blue 20L containers would work pretty well for me. What's the procedure for filling? The whole container in one shot of filtered 180+ syrup, I assume. How about emptying it? Bottle the whole 20L at once? I would be storing these at about a constant 65-70 degrees in my basement. Right now my unfiltered syrup is in 5 gal food grade buckets. Does anyone store long term in these? I find the lids are a pain to work with, so I've not tried that for fear of a leaky seal.
I freeze all of my "bulk to me" syrup in 2.5 gallon containers. Yea I am a whip and donet want to lift those 5 gallon jugs!:)
Regards,
Chris
They are heavy. I don't have any freezer space, so I need something that will work at room temperature.
Do you have a basement that is cooler? While they might do well at 70-75 or even warmer, storing them cooler does help.
When you say you had problems with some, exactly what did they do? Was it mold? If yes, that is either the packing temperature, the density a little light, the jug was not clean to start, you did not turn them for at least 30 seconds or the caps were loose. My two main suggestions are heat to 185-190, if you go to just 180 and your thermometer is off 2-3 degrees, you might have only packed at 176-177, might not be good enough. Then tighten the cap as soon as it is filled, tight, then turn the jug on it's side.
When I fill a bulk container, I actually put a piece of wood, either fire wood or a 2x4 under the side where the fill bung is, then I fill it all of the way to the bottom of the threads (I use an overflow device, where the jug or barrel fills and when totally full, the excess flows out an overflow tube/hose and into another container and I actually run 2-3 gal into that, so all of the air is out and I'm sure the container is full. I do that on SS barrels mostly, but also if I fill a 5 or 6 gal jug. On those jugs, I used to use a pair of 16" water pump pliers. A few years ago I bought the proper wrench for those 5 or 6 gal jugs and if I ever pack one I use it, but I never had an issue with the large water pump groove joint pliers.
Are you washing the jugs just before packing? If yes, maybe you still have some water in them that would end up at the cap and that could spoil.
I do trust the blue 5 jugs either, use stainless 15 gallons, 7 or 5 gallon kegs now, only time I use plastic is for bakeries and such and I fill them hot a few days before. My biggest fear is one molding and the customer opening it