National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: Catherine on October 03, 2013, 12:05:32 AM

Title: Bottle washers
Post by: Catherine on October 03, 2013, 12:05:32 AM
Could anybody give me advice on which bottle rinser/sterilizer to get?

There are ones going for 8-23 euro on hombrewwest, so should I just go for the cheapest one? I don't want to bother wasting money if I'm just going to have to buy something more expensive in the end.
Title: Re: Bottle washers
Post by: LordEoin on October 03, 2013, 12:55:52 AM
if you mean this one (http://www.homebrewwest.ie/brewsmarter-mini-bottle-rinser--sterilizer-fits-coopers-oxbars-2937-p.asp) it's supposed to be just as good as the more expensive ones, but I don't think it fits on a bottle tree.
Title: Re: Bottle washers
Post by: Catherine on October 03, 2013, 01:21:24 AM
Thanks. I don't think any of the ones for sale will fit on my bottle tree, so I suppose I'll just go for that one.
Title: Re: Bottle washers
Post by: RichC on October 03, 2013, 03:55:34 AM
I have one of the most expensive ones there which is great and I love it. I don't know because I've only used my own but the base of the €8 one looks quite narrow and I'd be a little worried about it sliding around? I've never used mine mounted on the top of my bottling tree and I don't understand why you'd want to so I don't see that as a disadvantage. The only drawback I could imagine with the €8 one is the possibility of it sliding when you press a bottle down on it but if that's not an issue then it definitely appears to be a good buy
Title: Re: Bottle washers
Post by: Catherine on October 04, 2013, 03:10:03 PM
Thanks for your reply. In that case I might pop into the shop and see how sturdy each of them are.
Title: Re: Bottle washers
Post by: pob on October 04, 2013, 04:44:59 PM
I've used the €8 one (borrowed, thanks Thomo), a couple of times now, works fine with 330ml, 500ml glass & Coopers bottles.

I wouldn't say there is a stability issue; use one hand to hold washer & other to hold bottle, place on towel if need be.

If you look at the design its only marginally narrower at the base compared to the BrewSmarter one.

Makes sanitising bottles almost bearable, make sure you get a bottle tree as well (so much easier than balancing bottles upside down to drain).

Definitely worth the money.
Title: Re: Bottle washers
Post by: johnrm on October 04, 2013, 05:34:39 PM
Get an off cut of mdf.
Cut a hole.
Title: Re: Bottle washers
Post by: delzep on October 05, 2013, 01:46:31 AM
Quote from: johnrm on October 04, 2013, 05:34:39 PM
Get an off cut of mdf.
Cut a hole.

(http://i.imgur.com/nsLvGsI.gif)
Title: Re: Bottle washers
Post by: UpsidedownA (Andrew) on October 05, 2013, 07:39:22 AM
I don't use a specific bottle washer. I make sure I rinse the bottle properly as soon as possible after use and leave upside-down to drain. Then I run a load through the dishwasher (without soap) to sanitise them. It is the heat in the dishwasher that does the sanitising, not the water.