Surprising Uses of Beer Bottle Caps: From Ginger and Potato Peeling to Keeping Trash Bags in Place.
Many people might be surprised to learn about the various tasks that beer bottle caps can accomplish, aside from their primary role of sealing beverages.
Instead of tossing the cap after enjoying a bottle of beer, you can keep it and utilize it in the following ways.
Strange Uses of Beer Bottle Caps
You will find it interesting to discover the unexpected uses of beer bottle caps. (Photo: Istock).
Keep Soap Bars Dry
Typically, soap bars are stored in sealed containers without drainage holes, leading to moisture buildup and mushiness over time. To prevent this, place a beer bottle cap underneath the soap bar to elevate it off the bottom of the container, preventing it from getting wet. Your soap will stay dry and firm.
Peel Ginger and Potatoes
The serrated edge of a beer bottle cap can be used to quickly and easily peel ginger and potatoes. Simply turn the cap upside down and use the serrated edge to scrape the skin off the ginger root or potato.
Locate and Cut Tape
One of the surprising uses of a beer bottle cap is to help find the end of a roll of tape: Glide the serrated edge of the cap along the tape surface, and when you feel it snag, you have found the end of the tape.
To cut tape, many people have a habit of biting it, which is unsanitary and can affect health. If you don’t have a knife or scissors handy, you can press the bottle cap onto the tape surface. Its sharp serrated edge can cut through the tape effectively.
Prevent Trash Bags from Slipping Down
When you throw trash into a bin, the weight of the garbage can cause the bag to slip down from the rim. Use two beer caps and some adhesive to secure them horizontally across the trash can, then place the trash bag on top. This creates a hook that holds the bag in place, allowing you to dispose of waste without worrying about it slipping off the can.
Make Play Coins for Kids
Flatten beer bottle caps and drill two small holes in the center. Thread a piece of string through, and you have a toy for young children without spending a dime.
Shape When Baking, Cut Fruits
The round beer cap with sharp serrated edges can be used to create crown shapes or as a frame for cutting fruits. They are also useful for shaping delightful baked goods.
Craft Decorative Items
If you know how to cleverly utilize many beer or soda bottle caps, you can transform them into cute earrings, picture frames, or assemble them to create a coaster for drinks.
Beer bottle caps are also helpful in shaping delightful baked goods.
How Were Beer Bottle Caps Invented?
In the 1880s, many carbonated beverages emerged on the market and became very popular. However, at that time, carbonated drinks were only sealed with cork or metal caps, which were not airtight, compromising drink quality during transportation to consumers.
Recognizing this issue, American inventor William Painter created the Crown Cork bottle cap. Since February 2, 1892, the bottling industry entered a new era with the introduction of caps featuring a wavy edge and an inner liner to prevent liquid contact with the metal cap.
After working with bottle manufacturers to refine the product, William Painter applied for a patent in 1892. By 1893, he established the “Crown Cork and Seal Company,” now known as “Crown Holdings Inc.,” which specializes in producing bottle caps and beverage-related items and ranks among the top in the world. The company is currently headquartered in Philadelphia, USA.
As technology advanced, bottle caps were gradually refined, with metal materials sometimes replaced by PVC plastic. The number of serrations on the cap and its height have also been reduced. However, the wavy edge resembling a crown has remained to this day.
