So, do you squeeze a pop bottle to keep the drink fizzy longer?

[Waitone]

A serious metaphysical question here.  I squeeze the large pop bottles after pouring out a serving.  I am of the opinion that it keeps the drink from going flat longer than it normally would.  I've got engineer friends who do the same thing and others who don't.

What say you?

[WhoKnowsWho]

I have done it from time to time, but I don't think it helps much, on the other hand, having the bottle on the side where the soda is covering the cap end seemed to help it from losing its fizz.

Oh yeah, http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/00000103

[Jason]

I have done it from time to time, but I don't think it helps much, on the other hand, having the bottle on the side where the soda is covering the cap end seemed to help it from losing its fizz.

I do the same thing myself. Though a 2lt of diet coke dosn't last long around me.
I had never thought of squeezing the bottle though.

[DigMe]

If you think about the science behind the coke going flat I don't see how it could make a difference to squeeze the bottle before closing it.  

brad cook

[cfabe]

No, but you can make a difference by keeping it cold instead of room temp.

[brimic]

Funny topic. I do it all of the time and it drives my wife nuts.

I squeeze the bottle to get the contents out faster.

Squeezing the bottle to keep the carbonation in won't work if you think about it- the plastic could just return to its normal shape as gas comes out of solution.

[Feanaro]

Excuse me but what is "pop"?




Just kidding but I am required by ancient tradition to make fun of Yanks. I don't do it. I can't see WHY it would enhance the life of Coke. And I have never noticed a difference. So the bottle stays like it is.

[P95Carry]

Squeezing is IMO counterproductive - the bottle will, if enough CO2 remaining in solution - have to return to its max shape anyways - a fixed volume and depending on how much pop left - x mls of space.  It has to if you like ''inflate'' that bottle. Leave it unsqueezed and you already have full volume, and - some air.  IMO it'll take a bit less gas out of solution to reach a pressure equilibrium.

As a Pepsi addict (and Mountain Dew!) - I use 3L bottles - main requirement for me is - get cap back on and tight  after pouring - quick!!  I can use last glassful from end of bottle and still have some fizz.

My step son squeezes - AND - leaves the top off Grrrrr.  No wonder I have ''peronal'' bottles that no one else touches!

[Brad Johnson]

Sounds to me like it would make it go flat faster. Squeezing the bottle causes pressure waves in the fluid. Any pressure wave, no matter how small, will shock some of the CO2 out of solution. I would try to jostle the bottle, or more specifically the fluid inside, as little as possible.

If you really want to keep the fizz at max, keep it cold and replace the cap with one of those nifty pump-up tops. Keeps everything pressurized. This should keep the amount of gas that comes out of solution to a minimum.

Brad

[Chris]

I used to squeeze, thinking that less space in the bottle means less space for the CO2 to escape the liquid.  I found the pressure pump works better, but isn't as easy.  My solution is to buy cans.  I drink less, and it's always fresh.

[Guest]

Its a SODA bottle by the way :p

[thorn]

now this is funny -
in NY and CA it's SODA in a lot of other places, it's POP.  lets have a dumb argument , which is better?

Soda is the first word!
Pop is shorter and more fun to say!
soda soda soda
pop pop pop

me, i get bottles/ cans small enough to finish. hate 2 liters , if i have one,
"I used to squeeze, thinking that less space in the bottle means less space for the CO2 to escape the liquid"
i do that still.

[DigMe]

now this is funny -
in NY and CA it's SODA in a lot of other places, it's POP.  lets have a dumb argument , which is better?

I don't say either.

brad cook

[MaterDei]

I buy all my coke in cans.  (notice that I'm using the generic little 'c' coke and not the specific brand name big 'C' Coke)  Where I'm from we don't say soda or pop either.  It's all just coke.  Coke is coke, Dr. Pepper is coke, Big Red is coke, etc.

[publius]

If squeezing worked to keep carbonation, would we have seen giant, flexible beer kegs, instead of those clunky metal ones that we keep in ice with a pump on top? Hmmm...