# Crown bottle capper **URL:** \ **Category:** Systems, Gear, & DIY\ **Created:** [February 13, 2025, 3:31am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/crown-bottle-capper/37369 "2025-02-13T03:31:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nvshooter2276](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/nvshooter2276/32/19_2.png) [@nvshooter2276](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/nvshooter2276)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 3:31am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/crown-bottle-capper/37369/1 "2025-02-13T03:31:17Z")
I have a capper from crown caps, but can’t find it. Have decided to buy another one. Which do you gentlemen prefer-- red plastic or steel? Thank you for your opinions… ---
**Author:** ![Semper\_Sitientem](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/semper_sitientem/32/21000_2.png) [@Semper\_Sitientem](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/Semper_Sitientem)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 3:57am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/crown-bottle-capper/37369/2 "2025-02-13T03:57:53Z")
Steel bench capper. I started with red plastic and it broke after a year. I went to the Anvil bench capper about 3-4 years ago and consider it one of the best gadgets I’ve spent my money on. All steel, wide base for stability and it significantly increased the speed of my capping process. ---
**Author:** ![profitt\_chartermi.net](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/profitt_chartermi.net/32/20691_2.png) [@profitt\_chartermi.net](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/profitt_chartermi.net)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 2:06pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/crown-bottle-capper/37369/3 "2025-02-13T14:06:16Z")
Same advice. Get a bench capper. ---
**Author:** ![KellerBrauer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/kellerbrauer/32/1322_2.png) [@KellerBrauer](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/KellerBrauer)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 2:18pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/crown-bottle-capper/37369/4 "2025-02-13T14:18:09Z")
I’ve used the red plastic capper since 2013 and capped about 1,500 bottles with absolutely no issues. ---
**Author:** ![goose](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/goose/32/20722_2.png) [@goose](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/goose)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 2:36pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/crown-bottle-capper/37369/5 "2025-02-13T14:36:23Z")
Although I have a red plastic capper, a friend of mine has a bench capper that I prefer using over my plastic one. The plastic one gets a bit persnickety at times and I have had to replace it after about 15 years of brewing when the bell got rusty. Next time I have to replace this one (I only use it to bottle for competition and when I take beers to share) I will get a bench capper. ---
**Author:** ![dmtaylor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/dmtaylor/32/9644_2.png) [@dmtaylor](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/dmtaylor)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 2:40pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/crown-bottle-capper/37369/6 "2025-02-13T14:40:37Z")
I’m on my second red plastic capper. Eventually they fail but it takes about 10 years or 100 batches. I’m nearing the 200 mark and it’s starting to act a little odd. I’ll take a look at prices and decide based on that. ---
**Author:** ![nvshooter2276](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/nvshooter2276/32/19_2.png) [@nvshooter2276](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/nvshooter2276)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2025, 11:12pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/crown-bottle-capper/37369/7 "2025-02-13T23:12:13Z")
Ten years, huh? I’m 67 and in declining health. I’ll purchase a red plastic one. I won’t live long enough to wear it out… ---
**Author:** ![profitt\_chartermi.net](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/profitt_chartermi.net/32/20691_2.png) [@profitt\_chartermi.net](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/profitt_chartermi.net)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 1:49pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/crown-bottle-capper/37369/8 "2025-02-14T13:49:23Z")
Weren’t those two handed cappers once called “butterfly” cappers? That’s what I always called them but don’t see much reference to that term any longer. ---
**Author:** ![BrewBama](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/brewbama/32/21184_2.png) [@BrewBama](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/BrewBama)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2025, 2:55pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/crown-bottle-capper/37369/9 "2025-02-14T14:55:30Z")
The most important feature of a capper IMO is the bell. I prefer a machined bell over a stamped bell. Most butterfly cappers and some bench cappers have a stamped bell. I suspected my butterfly capper I’ve had since the 90(s) of not crimping the cap well enough. So, I got a Go/No-Go gauge. Every cap crimped w/ the butterfly capper failed. So, I got a bench capper w/ a machined bell. I’ve never had a cap crimped w/ the bench capper fail QC. YMMV. > **[King Crimp Capping Gauge – Are you Getting a Good Crimp?](https://www.homebrewfinds.com/king-crimp-capping-gauge-are-you-getting-a-good-crimp/)** > > King Crimp Cap Gauge.   Use to double check your capped homebrew for proper crimping. What are others saying?  Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “homebrew” – aff…