I bought one of these new Craft Range bottle trees (http://www.homebrewwest.ie/craft-range-48-bottle-tree--drainer-x28fits-craft-range-bottle-rinser--sterilizerx29-3864-p.asp) and it arrived today, so I thought I'd put up some first impressions of the thing. In case anyone else is thinking of getting one.
It came in its own box disassembled.
Each piece is nice strong and chunky plastic.
I was surprised at how big it was to be honest, really robust parts.
The tiers simply screw into each other making the 'barbed' pillar on a solid base. The threads are thick and won't wear out.
The base itself has a ridge built in to capture drips of sanitizer.
I loaded it up with about 40something fliptops with no problems at all, solid as a rock.
Overall impression: well worth the money spent. It'll make bottling day that bit easier and less messy. If I keep adding tiers, it will eventually make the best christmas tree ever! No problems at all with it so far. Great product for a fair price.
General warning: watch which one you select, there are a few listed.
I clicked the 48 bottle tree instead of the 80 tree, now I want 80! (even though i'll most likely rarely need it for 80 bottles, but I want it) My own fault. Should have payed attention. - saved a fiver though! ;D
Also, get the rinser (http://www.homebrewwest.ie/craft-range-bottle-rinser--sterilize-x28fits-on-top-of-all-craft-range-bottle-treedrainers-and-fits-coopers-oxbar-bottlesx29-3863-p.asp) while you're at it (or the 48 bottle + rinser offer). You'll only want one later anyway.
Here are some pictures of it disassembles, assembled, half loaded and mostly loaded:
(http://i.imgur.com/pkTYRB7.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/bGB5L8C.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/NmXmzWo.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/szmPymE.jpg)
Nice review. Amazingly, it actually looks kinda small with all the bottles on it :)
If you get the rinser, can you take a pic of the bottom of it. I have http://www.homebrewwest.ie/brewsmarter-mini-bottle-rinser--sterilizer-fits-coopers-oxbars-2937-p.asp (http://www.homebrewwest.ie/brewsmarter-mini-bottle-rinser--sterilizer-fits-coopers-oxbars-2937-p.asp) and I'm wondering if it would fit on the top instead...
How stable is it?
Looks like a slight knock would result in 40 broken bottles which always put me off
Quote from: delzep on June 13, 2014, 10:56:07 PM
How stable is it?
Looks like a slight knock would result in 40 broken bottles which always put me off
very stable. I have the 80 version and fully loaded it is still fine.
Not just for bottling day. Wased and delabled. bottles spend a few days ...... who am I kidding a week or two....... on the tree drying out before storage.
yup, very stable. it surprised me actually. that's why the first thing I did was load it up with bottles.
The base is wide and solid and all the tiers are well chunky and tight fitting.
no wobble at all.
Quote from: molc on June 13, 2014, 09:04:02 AM
Nice review. Amazingly, it actually looks kinda small with all the bottles on it :)
If you get the rinser, can you take a pic of the bottom of it. I have http://www.homebrewwest.ie/brewsmarter-mini-bottle-rinser--sterilizer-fits-coopers-oxbars-2937-p.asp (http://www.homebrewwest.ie/brewsmarter-mini-bottle-rinser--sterilizer-fits-coopers-oxbars-2937-p.asp) and I'm wondering if it would fit on the top instead...
Molc, the brewsmarter rinser is stand alone and won't fit on top of the tree. But this one will:
http://www.homebrewwest.ie/craft-range-bottle-rinser--sterilize-x28fits-on-top-of-all-craft-range-bottle-treedrainers-and-fits-coopers-oxbar-bottlesx29-3863-p.asp (http://www.homebrewwest.ie/craft-range-bottle-rinser--sterilize-x28fits-on-top-of-all-craft-range-bottle-treedrainers-and-fits-coopers-oxbar-bottlesx29-3863-p.asp)