Coopers Carbonation Drops - I didn't put enough in?

[Berko]

Hi all,

I've just done my first extract brew, a St Austell Proper Job. I put 1/2 a Coopers carbonation drop in each PET bottle before I bottled them on Monday. Upon cracking one open tonight for a sneak preview, two things have come to my attention:

1) It tastes brilliant
2) It's virtually flat.

Upon reading up, I think I should have put at least 1 drop per bottle?

So, question is, can I open them all now to add another half to one whole drop per bottle? Or have I missed the boat and have to accept this batch being on the flat side?

Thanks!

[Grantbeeston]

How big are your bottles?

[Berko]

Good point!

500ml.

[Grantbeeston]

You'll need 2 for each bottle then, not 100% wether you would be alright to open now and drop another one in, but I can't see there being a problem with it!

[edonald774]

I use one per 500ml bottling for ales and 1.5 for lagers

[Berko]

Has anyone else opened up beers to add more carb drops?

It's a risk for sure, not sure I'm willing to take, unless I know it'll be fine!

[Andy]

1 use for a pint of ale.

[edonald774]

When I first started brewing I started with a coopers kit and it came with the plastic bottles.
I found then that my beers were pretty flat, little tiny bit of fizz but definitely not carbonated.

Turned out the plastic caps untwisted themselves a tiny bit as the pressure built in the bottles, just enough to let some of the gas escape and stop them being properly carbonated.

If you are using those types of bottles, I'd try retightening the caps and leaving the beer somewhere warm for another week or so. The try one and see if that's helped. If not then I'd consider re priming.

[kinnockthecat]

As Andy says, 1 per pint

[Alan30]

1 per 500ml bottle. I doubt even at the correct dose you would have noticed anything after 2 days though?

[Andy]

1 per 500ml bottle. I doubt even at the correct dose you would have noticed anything after 2 days though?

Yes, 2 days not nearly enough. And what temperature were the bottles stored at ? For the residual yeast to act on the sugar then too cool storage temps will delay/stall that secondary fermentation.

[edonald774]

I didn't even notice... Yeah don't be impatient. You'll be a couple of weeks