Best before date
It is usually indicated on the packaging. But sometimes manufacturers ignore this point or indicate that the deadlines are unlimited. At the same time, in small print at the bottom of the packaging it states that the product must be consumed within 12 months. Therefore, on the one hand, we understand that there is nothing to spoil there. But on the other hand, everyone knows how severe the consequences of alcohol poisoning can be. Therefore, willy-nilly, they will look at the transparent liquid with caution.
In fact, everything has a shelf life. But in the case of alcohol, much will depend on external conditions. Let's take a closer look at what conditions must be met.
Which container is suitable
A flask for moonshine is considered one of the most important points, on which not only the quality, but also the shelf life of any strong alcohol directly depends. So, where should you store alcohol? Since alcohol can cause a certain reaction with dishes, this will lead to the release of harmful substances, therefore it is recommended to store alcoholic beverages in special containers, namely:
- in a plastic bottle;
- in glass containers;
- in wooden and steel containers.
At the same time, containers for aluminum or iron moonshine are absolutely not suitable for storing alcohol. Therefore, you should not store vodka in an aluminum bottle, since the alcohol will certainly react with aluminum, which will result in the formation of a sediment that is very harmful to human health.
It is best to store moonshine in real vodka bottles with their original caps. Before use, they must be thoroughly washed, dried, and checked for any odors that could spoil the aroma of the final product.
Alcohol in plastic container
As mentioned above, alcohol is a very active substance that can react with interacting materials. It is for this reason that when choosing a container for storing it, you should be especially careful and think carefully about whether the product can be stored in it.
Current plastic is quite resistant to chemicals, however, when choosing such containers, it is better to choose a suitable place for storage, since such material burns well.
It should be remembered that it is not recommended to store alcohol in a plastic container for a long time, because over time, not only the aroma, but also the taste of the alcohol may change.
Glass jars and bottles
Glass containers are best suited for storing moonshine or other strong homemade drinks. As is known, this material never reacts with alcohol and makes it possible to preserve the original properties of drinks for a long time. In other words, the shelf life of alcohol in a hermetically sealed glass jar is almost eternal.
Based on the above, we can conclude that the main thing in long-term storage of moonshine is tightness, since alcohol tends to evaporate quickly. After all, even a poorly screwed cap or cork can be a real reason for a decrease in alcohol strength as a result of evaporation. This way, only water will remain.
If we are talking about a jar, then steel lids are best suited here. They are both safe and quite reliable, and nylon, from which the lids are also made, releases harmful substances that can harm the human body.
Using an oak barrel
In the old days, alcohol was always stored in oak barrels, which made it possible to get a good aroma and taste, since it is in such containers that various processes take place that make the drink much better.
The smaller the size of the barrel, the less time the drink needs to be kept; therefore, when long-term storage is planned, a large barrel size will be required. In addition, before using such a container as a barrel, it must be prepared.
Storage in stainless steel containers
Stainless steel barrels are usually used to hold alcohol in industrial enterprises. This food grade stainless steel is a safe container. It will not react with alcohol. It is better to boil this container rather than solder it. The use of such containers is well suited both for storing alcoholic beverages and for preparing mash in it.
What you need to know
So, in order for alcohol or vodka to be considered suitable for consumption, you need to check the following characteristics: what the product consists of and how it is stored. Moreover, the first point does not apply to alcohol if it is pure.
- Only at first glance all vodka is the same. Simple consists of ethyl alcohol and purified water. It will be stored almost forever, because there are no additives in it. But the drink can be reproached for not having a very mild taste. With special vodka the situation is somewhat different. Specific additives that are needed to improve taste may deteriorate. It is best to use this product within 6 months from the date of manufacture.
- The second point is packaging. And here we come to the main question: “Can alcohol be stored in a plastic bottle?” In fact, there can only be one answer. Only containers that do not react with alcohol are suitable for storage. That is, glass is the ideal option.
The dangers of vodka in plastic bottles
On store shelves, we are used to seeing vodka and other types of alcohol in glass bottles. Initially, no one pays attention to this point, but this is not easy. There are special standards and norms for storing alcohol and alcohol-containing drinks. In large containers, they must be stored in steel tanks or barrels, and smaller volumes of strong drinks are recommended to be kept in glass or metal flasks, with tightly sealed lids and appropriate markings.
Interesting: Is it possible to store alcohol in a plastic bottle?
Storage rules
In principle, there is no shortage of this product today. Therefore, you can go to the store at any time and buy a bottle of vodka or buy alcohol in a specialized department. But sometimes you happen to stumble upon a wholesale outlet that is located far from home. Most often, sellers do not burden themselves with the need to purchase containers for selling products, and plastic packaging can be purchased at any nearby store. But you need to remember in time whether it is possible to store alcohol in a plastic bottle.
- For normal safety of the product, it is better not to violate the integrity of the original packaging.
- Plastic is not suitable for storing alcoholic beverages. It interacts with alcohol and forms toxic compounds over time.
- It is very important to seal the bottle airtight. Alcohol is very volatile and evaporates quickly. Therefore, if you want to preserve the strength of the product, you need to check the quality of the lid.
- If a cloudy sediment has formed at the bottom of the bottle, consuming this drink internally is strictly prohibited. He became a real poison. Most often this happens if the packaging reacts with the contents.
Is it possible to store alcohol in a plastic bottle? Only if you need to move it from one point to another, where you will immediately pour it into a glass container. But it’s better not to do even this.
Is it possible to drink alcohol from plastic containers?
Regardless of what drink you choose to drink, use exclusively glass containers. This is not a rule of etiquette or a fashionable expense, but a recommendation that will help protect your liver and kidneys from degenerative changes.
Every year, more and more people are admitted to the hospital for drinking vodka from plastic containers. Remember, no matter how expensive and high-quality the drink is poured into a glass, upon contact with plastic, the taste of the drink begins to change, and the most harmful substances are released. Sanitary services constantly raid outdoor sales tents where they sell beer and alcohol on tap in plastic cups to prevent mass poisonings. In hot, sultry weather, people do not pay attention to the exact container in which cool beer is sold to them. When a foamy drink comes into contact with harmful components of plastic, dubityl phthalate is released. This substance can negatively affect the human reproductive, nervous and genitourinary systems. A harmful carcinogen promotes the formation of tumors in the endocrine system in men and women.
If you do not want the next alcoholic drink you drink to become lethal for you or cause a serious illness, buy it at certified points and drink it from the right glassware.
Storage conditions
It would seem that the vodka is in glass, everything is done correctly, which means you don’t have to worry about the safety of the product. In fact, it is very important where this packaging is located. Every person should know how to store alcohol correctly to avoid negative consequences.
Vodka has an extremely negative attitude towards sunlight. In addition, she does not like high temperatures. Therefore, it is best to store it in a cool and dark place. Pure alcohol can be put in the freezer - it still won’t freeze. And as we have already found out, it is not the alcohol that spoils, but the additives. But they will freeze and then precipitate.
Another important point is the humidity in the room. You should not rely on the fact that you have a container for alcohol that is impenetrable to external influences. How to properly store alcohol is described in special instructions. Humidity in the room should not exceed 85%. Therefore, damp basements are not the best choice.
Rules for storing vodka
First of all, you need to know under what conditions the drink will best retain its properties. Here the wishes of consumers differ - some place drinks in the bar, others keep them in the refrigerator or even in the freezer. Experts recommend placing bottles in the following conditions:
- place them in a dark place where the sun's rays do not reach;
- withstand temperatures of +5…+20 °C;
- choose a place with a humidity of about 85%.
A cool cabinet or refrigerator is ideal for storing vodka. Many people believe that the permissible period for drinking a drink after production is practically unlimited. This is true, but only if there are no additives in it. Various vodka tinctures must be consumed within 6 months after the date of manufacture; they retain an acceptable taste for up to 12 months. Medicines based on vodka can be drunk for 3 months after mixing.
It is not recommended to drink tinctures produced more than 12 months ago for another reason - this can lead to food poisoning, which is greatly complicated due to the presence of alcohol in the body. If the manufacturer indicated a longer expiration date on the packaging, this means that the composition contains more preservatives. Such drinks will not have the best taste characteristics.
As for the shelf life of plain vodka, without additives, experts agree on one opinion - it can be consumed within 3 years after the date of manufacture. In this case, the drink must be in an airtight container.
This requirement is due to the fact that alcohol is a volatile substance and vodka will very quickly fizzle out and lose its strength. The cork also prevents oxygen from oxidizing the product, which leads to spoilage.
Container quality
Of course, glass bottles are not very convenient. They are heavy, break easily, and are extremely inconvenient to transport. That's why the question often arises about whether it is possible to store vodka in plastic containers. Here you should take into account the quality of the material itself. And you definitely need to make sure that there are no open flame sources nearby, since plastic is a highly flammable material. You can find out what material the container is made of quite easily. To do this, just look at the bottom where the markings are. But even if high-quality material is chosen, you should not leave alcohol in it for a long time. Such containers are intended for temporary storage of drinks and are excellent for transporting them.
How to store opened vodka
It is immediately necessary to clarify that storing vodka for a long time after opening is not recommended. Even a carefully screwed bottle will no longer be airtight, so the vodka may become saturated with foreign odors, which will negatively affect its taste.
It is advisable to store opened vodka away from products that have a strong or pronounced odor to prevent distortion of the taste of the drink itself. The first place to store an open bottle is the bar compartment in the closet, where there are no foreign products. In most cases, it is not recommended to store an open bottle for more than three months. After opening, to ensure maximum shelf life, the bottle should be tightly capped as soon as possible.
Store opened vodka in a bar or closet where there are no foreign odors. Shelf life 3 months.
The remaining requirements, where to store and how to store an open bottle of vodka, are identical to the general conditions given above.
Alternative options
Let's look at other packaging methods, because each owner chooses for himself how to store alcohol.
- Oak barrels. They can contain alcohol almost indefinitely. But it will not be possible to preserve the original taste and aroma. In this case, the drink acquires a pleasant hue and an incomparable aroma, which is more of a plus than a minus. The barrel “breathes” and oxygen interacts with alcohol. This promotes oxidation processes, due to which the drink acquires a new taste.
- Stainless steel containers. They usually store alcohol in industrial plants. Food grade steel is safe because it does not react with alcohol.
Is it possible to store vodka in a plastic bottle?
The other day, we had a big holiday in our village. After the feast there was a lot of vodka left. Well, we poured it into several plastic bottles and took it home. But I’m wondering if it’s possible to store vodka like this or should it be poured into glass?
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Experts categorically do not recommend using plastic containers for storing alcohol. This is due to the fact that plastic, when interacting with alcohol, releases harmful substances. They have a toxic effect on the human body. Carcinogens damage the kidneys and liver. Plastic containers contain a whole list of toxins that are not broken down in juices or mineral waters. However, upon contact with ethyl, a chemical reaction inevitably starts. Acetaldehyde, which is a breakdown product of alcoholic beverages, causes significant harm to the body. In addition, the chemicals present in the raw materials that make up the plastic have a negative impact.
The use of plastic bottles for storing vodka increases the risk of intoxication of the body, even with small doses of the drink consumed. The greatest danger is posed by vodka placed in a plastic container that has been heated by sunlight or in a hot room. This type of alcohol is not safe to drink. Plastic molecules move into the liquid, replacing its qualitative composition. As a rule, melamine dishes are the fastest to break down. Currently, special markings are provided on bottles; it indicates what material the corresponding container is made of. Thus, HDPE, when reacting with alcohol, actively releases formaldehyde, and LDPE - heavy metals, PVX - phthalates and vinyl chloride, PP - bisphenol, PS - styrene. All these substances have a negative impact on both the human body and the environment. Therefore, environmentalists often focus on the need to recycle plastic waste.
Vodka is prohibited from being stored in aluminum, galvanized containers or in bottles made of polymers. If possible, it is necessary to pour this type of alcohol into a safer container, for example, glass. It is unacceptable to store vodka in plastic bottles.
The use of plastic bottles for storing vodka increases the risk of intoxication of the body, even with small doses of the drink consumed. The greatest danger is posed by vodka placed in a plastic container that has been heated by sunlight or in a hot room. This type of alcohol is not safe to drink. Plastic molecules move into the liquid, replacing its qualitative composition. As a rule, melamine dishes are the fastest to break down. Currently, special markings are provided on bottles; it indicates what material the corresponding container is made of. Thus, HDPE, when reacting with alcohol, actively releases formaldehyde, and LDPE - heavy metals, PVX - phthalates and vinyl chloride, PP - bisphenol, PS - styrene. All these substances have a negative impact on both the human body and the environment. Therefore, environmentalists often focus on the need to recycle plastic waste.
