Using Swing Top / Bale bottles for hot sauce

[salsalady]

A question that has come up several times is-
 
Is it OK to use Swing Top/ Bale jars for hot sauces and more specifically for Hot Fill/Hold processing?
 
I asked Specialty Bottle if the plastic stopper and gasket could handle a 200F fill and invert process.
 
Their reply- "[SIZE=medium]Here is the information you've requested:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]Per the manufacturer, the bottles and gaskets are not safe for filling with 200F sauce.  The maximum recommended temperature is 122F."[/SIZE]
 
[SIZE=medium]Before hearing from Specialty Bottle, I'd asked a local cider maker the same question and he pointed out that most of the time, the bottles are capped with a crimp top cap like what beer bottles have, and the bale wire stoppers aren't used until the bottle is opened.[/SIZE]
 
[SIZE=medium]:lightbulb:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]While their reply says the BOTTLES aren't safe for 200F, I think I'll ask them to clarify that point.  I don't see why they wouldn't work especially if the bottles are warmed up a bit.  Obviously, they can't go into the oven for sanitizing, but one of the other rinse sanitizing methods would work.  Even running the bottle under hot water or dunking in a pot of hot water would raise the temp of the bottle before filling with heated sauce.  [/SIZE]
 
 
[SIZE=medium]

[/SIZE]
 
[SIZE=medium]

[/SIZE]
 
[SIZE=medium]So I dug around in the basement pantry and found a capper we used to use ages ago for home brews.  These are about $20.  Available at brewing supply sources.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]

[/SIZE]
 
[SIZE=medium]

[/SIZE]
 
[SIZE=medium]I also have an antique capper like this but I think it's up in the freezing cold attic.  New ones of these are $40-50.  Vintage ones can be found occasionally at estate sales, thrift stores, fLeabay...[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]

[/SIZE]
 
[SIZE=medium]hope this helps~[/SIZE]
 
[SIZE=medium]SL[/SIZE]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

[Scuba_Steve]

The only issue I can see is the inside of the cap not being able to handle an invert.  There is a coating on the back of most beer caps to help eliminate oxygen.  There are some without this coating though.

 

[Shorerider]

[SIZE=medium]Obviously, they can't go into the oven for sanitizing, but one of the other rinse sanitizing methods would work.[/SIZE]

You can pry the wire ends that locate into the bottle apart to remove the whole swing top lid from the bottle. The bottle can then be sterilized in the oven without the lid. 
 
 
SR.

 

[hogleg]

Do they still have the old ceramic top style? If so, couldn't you take the rubber grommet off and then sterilize in the oven and soak grommets in bleach solution? I dun know? am I just dense? 

 

[salsalady]

The only issue I can see is the inside of the cap not being able to handle an invert.  There is a coating on the back of most beer caps to help eliminate oxygen.  There are some without this coating though.

thanks for posting that.  I did not know that about beer caps.
 

 
You can pry the wire ends that locate into the bottle apart to remove the whole swing top lid from the bottle. The bottle can then be sterilized in the oven without the lid. 
 
 
SR.
 

 
sounds like that would work for a "few" bottles, but doesn't sound feasible for a quantity. 
 

Do they still have the old ceramic top style? If so, couldn't you take the rubber grommet off and then sterilize in the oven and soak grommets in bleach solution? I dun know? am I just dense? 

 Old style jars had glass lids and glass jars with the wire mechanism and a rubber gasket.  What you are describing would work, thinking of the old canning jars with the glass tops and jars.  The new swing-top bottles have plastic stopper and rubber( or silicon??? I dunno~~~) red gasket.  The plastic stopper wouldn't hold up to heat sterilization like putting into an oven.  
 
I'll let you know what I hear.  With the holidays and all, it may be a few days to get a reply.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

 
sounds like that would work for a "few" bottles, but doesn't sound feasible for a quantity. 
 

 
I don't know if you have actually messed with swing tops before, or if this is just an idea your throwing around.  The wire does not need to be "pried" off.  It can be removed very easily.  By hand, probably 10 seconds to remove and another 10 to put back on.

 

[The Hot Pepper]

[SIZE=medium]Vintage ones can be found occasionally at estate sales, thrift stores, fLeabay...[/SIZE]

 
That fleabay site sucks you found some? http://fleabay.net/