So I have a question about "Polyethylene Terephthalate"

[So-High-ABV]

Did you notice how I didn't say the dreaded "P" word. First of all I have read the rules and I see in rule i. that there is to be no discussion about using plastic in distilling. I have no intention of using plastic in any distilling, nor is my question about any sort of plastic for distilling, it's strictly about storage.

So here is my question. If you've been to the liquor store lately you might have noticed that 25% to 35% of liquor is now sold in Polyethylene Terephthalate containers/bottles. They look just like glass and unless you actually picked up the bottle you would think it is glass. Polyethylene Terephthalate is a special form of plastic that has been tested to be safe for alcohol as well as other beverages. Everything I have read about Polyethylene Terephthalate points to it being better for the environment (creates less CO'2s) to produce and transport than glass. Testing labs have deemed it safe with no cancer producing chemicals in the Polyethylene Terephthalate, nor does it leach into the alcohol or other beverage it may contain. Yet here at this forum and others I've read, it's considered almost sacrilege to even discuss it much less use it for liquor storage. Not distilling mind you, nope, just a place to put your liquor.

OK now so let me paint you more of this picture. If you've saved your 1.75 liter Polyethylene Terephthalate bottles (as I have), they appear to be an attractive non breakable container with a built in flow regulator on top. When I've searched online for info on why some liquor is sold in Polyethylene Terephthalate and others in glass, and it seems that the answer has more to do with public perception than any safety or health issues. Apparently the reason the major distilleries haven't all switched to Polyethylene Terephthalate is because the public expects upper and top shelf liquor to be in glass. So lower shelf liquor is turning to Polyethylene Terephthalate, some upper shelf liquor as well, but most is still glass because of public ignorance and nothing more.

So I'd love to hear some intelligent arguments on either side. And the key word is intelligent, not just eeww yuck plastic, shoot the messenger.

P.S. And I have boxes and boxes of mason jars up in the attic, it's just that 1.75 liter Polyethylene Terephthalate bottle with a built in flow regulator seems so much more convenient than a quart mason jar. The point isn't what I have or could get but what seems more convenient as a storage container. As a matter of fact as I'm typing this I just poured myself a drink, so another few days and I'll have another bottle saved.

[jonnys_spirit]

Why even push the buttons?

Do what you want in your shed with plastic bottles but not here.

Good luck!
-j

[Ben]

there are a few reasons not too, PET is breathable, decays in UV and the lids are PP or HDPE which are not suitable for long term storage. While those may be fine for slipping your booze into your pocket for a ball game they aren't the stable long term storage solution glass with cork is.

[zed255]

I can tell you that PET, and other materials like HDPE, do break down over time and I strongly suspect accelerated by exposure to higher proof alcohol. My old man had been using reclaimed PET liquor bottles for a while despite my suggestion he switch to glass. That is until he had a PET bottle fail. It had become very brittle and no longer qualified as unbreakable storage. On investigation, the flow control devices and caps were also crispy, some serious degradation was occurring.

To note, commercial spirits sold in PET will almost always be at or under 40% ABV and be of types with high turnover. Higher proof and higher zoot (lower turnover, likely to be around for extended periods of time) are in glass not only because PET feels cheap to the consumer but it lacks the long term stability at elevated proof.

Based on my personal observations of my dad's experiences with PET et al I wouldn't put product in it for more than short term convenience. A mickey or 26'er to go to a party I'm sure is fine, but sitting in my cabinet for perhaps months or years wouldn't even be a consideration.

[Saltbush Bill]

 

Did you notice how I didn't say the dreaded "P" word. First of all I have read the rules and I see in rule i. that there is to be no discussion about using plastic in distilling.

You seem to have conveniently forgotten that the word " Synthetics" is included in that Rule ,and also seemed to have missed reading the bit below.

"Also, from past posting history, this topic seems to quickly boil down into an almost religious flame war. Thus we simply will not put up with it, and posts about any form of plastic use will be edited, deleted or locked. #"