Faster bottling

[RichC]

Just did this for the first time today. Got 44 bottles filled in just over 20 minutes. Delighted with the speed up. Expect to easily get it under 20 mins when I streamline my process as I didn't have stuff within easy reach and had a few overflows trying to watch 2 bottles at once http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/double-barrel-bottling-now-twice-fast-257264/
This and the vinator are the best things I ever did to speed up bottling(sanitised 44 bottles in about 7 or 8 minutes. Highly recommend both of these to all you bottlers!

[DEMPSEY]

You could always get a girlfriend like that one from Greek mythology or is it Indian,the one with all the arms.

[RichC]

You could always get a girlfriend like that one from Greek mythology or is it Indian,the one with all the arms.

I think she's Indian and my wife might have a problem with that:)

[JD]

This and the vinator are the best things I ever did to speed up bottling(sanitised 44 bottles in about 7 or 8 minutes. Highly recommend both of these to all you bottlers!

And I would add to that a bottle tree and a bench capper.
Now, all I need is a way to clean bottles quickly (ideally an automated system) and I'll be proper set.
/J

[Greg2013]

It's the goddess Shiva from Hindu religion.

[RichC]

This and the vinator are the best things I ever did to speed up bottling(sanitised 44 bottles in about 7 or 8 minutes. Highly recommend both of these to all you bottlers!

And I would add to that a bottle tree and a bench capper.
Now, all I need is a way to clean bottles quickly (ideally an automated system) and I'll be proper set.
/J

Yes, those too are essential too. I only clean my bottles once then a quick rinse after each use. You could always try running oxy through one of these http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/malfets-bottle-washer-lazy-homebrewers-381452/

[JD]

Yes, those too are essential too. I only clean my bottles once then a quick rinse after each use. You could always try running oxy through one of these http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/malfets-bottle-washer-lazy-homebrewers-381452/

Now that looks the business. Time to see about getting some copper bits and pieces together, I think. A cheap dishwasher pump would suffice as well.
/J

[Garry]

Yes, those too are essential too. I only clean my bottles once then a quick rinse after each use. You could always try running oxy through one of these http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/malfets-bottle-washer-lazy-homebrewers-381452/

Now that looks the business. Time to see about getting some copper bits and pieces together, I think. A cheap dishwasher pump would suffice as well.
/J

JD, if you do build something like this, please post some pics of the finished project. I was thinking of doing something like this too but all the pipe fittings and pump were coming out too expensive So I'd love to see how you get on

There's another one on morebeer.com which I was looking at too for inspiration:
http://morebeer.com/products/bottle-rinsing-purging-base.html?site_id=5

[DEMPSEY]

Jesus you guy's are trying to teases me,(please note the the smilie ). Are you trying to make me stop finishing my first project before getting me to start another one.
Hmm, now that I look at that picture you could build a 12 jet or more system but fit the jets with a release lock so you put the bottle on the jet and the weight of the bottle presses down the valve allowing the water spray into the bottle. Next when you lift the bottle off the jet it locks and the water does not spray. :-/  

[JD]

@Dempsey,

I think the key to this is simplicity. Release locks, etc. will just add expense. If the objective is cleaning, rather than just rinsing, then the bottles will need to sit for a while. The utility of release locks would be very marginal as a result.

@Garry,
A  rough calculation on the cost of the copper for a 20 bottle system based just on 12mm inch copper pipe and solder fittings would be: 2m of 12mm copper pipe, 29 tee-pieces, 20 12mm to 8mm reducers, 3m of 8mm pipe. Assuming €1.50 for the tee-pieces, €1 for the reducers, €15 for the 12mm pipe and €18 for the 8mm pipe. A lever valve would come in at €10. I'll leave the cost of the pump as an unknown since it'll be salvaged most likely. The overall cost then would be the guts of €100 for the copper and fittings alone. Add to that a pump and a tub to sit the lot in, and the only question that remains is how much do you dislike washing bottles? 

[LordEoin]

Rinse twice after pouring, leave to drain upside down, store.
On bottling day, sterilize in the oven or use something like this or just a splash of starsan.
Why complicate something so simple?

But yeah, the double spigot looks like the job except I got so sick of the bottling wand that i just fill straight off the tap.
It needs two hands (1 for bottle, 1 for tap) but does the job much faster than the wand.

[JD]

Why complicate something so simple?

Problem for me is that I don't brew that often and even if I double rinse them, my stored bottles will always end up with a layer of dust, and always need a wash when I'm ready to go.

I just fill straight off the tap.

I'd not recommend that approach. You're oxygenating the beer by going direct from tap. That can lead to off flavours: stale, catty, papery and moldy are common descriptions of oxidised beer. While it may have worked for you, it has failed for others in the past. For that reason, I suggest the use of a wand is the better option.

/J

[nigel_c]

Bottling wand on the end of a tube fitted to the tap. I keep it nice and simple for the amount of bottling I do compared to kegging. I find it pretty quick end painless. No lifting bottles up, just fill each bottle in the case.

[RichC]

I'm a committed bottler and will never keg. Havent really go the place to have kegs for easy access and I also particularly love the hiss of opening a nice cold bottle and the pour. I considered making a bottle washer for a long time, was originally looking at this http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/bottle-washer-project-92489/ but it would costa fortune in parts and I just dont think its worth it. I put a piece of tinfoil over the top of any bottles I'm storing in the shed or just put them in crates upside down. If you intend washing rather than rinsing with this I dont think youll do it with the likes  of a recycled dishwasher pump. Youll need to invest in a decent submersible or self priming pump.