If you use a 2 handed capper I think a towel on the table where you are bottling helps keep the bottle from sliding and possibly tipping over and spilling. Once you cap a couple of bottles there is a nice little divot there to keep the bottle in place.
I found making the tubing between the bucket and the wand shorter makes my process much smoother. NOt as much to deal with when you try to put it down somewhere.
My .02 on the dishwasher. I tried it once and didint like it because i had to sit on the tile floor to get down there. I Bring my coffe table into the kitchen and set it under the counter. That way i can sit in a chair when bottling much easier on my back and knees. I put as many bottles that will fit on the coffe table and fill them so i dont have to switch back and forth capping and filling. I eventually want to figure something out to bottle while standing that would be optimal or....filling kegs.
__________________
primaries: BRown Ale
secondaries: Rye IPA
Bottled: IPA, Pigs ear brown clone, stovepipe porter, German Alt, Oktober fest ale, Smoked IPA, failed pale ale, 1st AG ESB, belgian wit, Ipa#2, , Lake wheat, fish Red ale, Smoked wheat,
KEGS: blonde Nugs , Sugar pale light, chin nook ale (gone in 1 week)
I put my bottling tree on the island, and then put the bottles on the dishwasher door. I bring a chair from my dining room and sit and fill. My back was killing me after the first time, without the chair. When I fill 12 or 14, I stand up, cap those and start again. If I have a helper, they cap and I just fill. Piece of cake!
__________________ Broken Leg Brewery
Giving beer a leg to stand on since 2006
You call me a dog well that's fair enough 'Cause it ain't no use to pretend You're wrong
But when it's my time to throw The next stone I'll call you beautiful if I call at all
I dont Know if it helps, but i heard a interview with one of the people who works or created Idophor on basic brewing radio and he said , basically, you dont have to soak for 2 min. Its 2 min wet time. In other words dip your bottles and put on the tree. thats what i got, might double check me though. Still a noob.
You guys rock!!!!! More than enough info to help me bottle my first batch. I am sure it will be a "learning curve" but I am ready for what the bottling bucket throws at me (I hope)....... Will fill you in after Saturday. Once bottling is done, the next batch starts cooking. A nice heffe. YUMMY!!!
__________________ Pa-in-Utah
John Henry Brewing Co. Clinton, Utah
Primary: "Holiday Hooch"... Apfelwein spiced with Cinnamon and brown sugar.
Secondary 1: German Wheat
Secondary 2: Nuttin'
Bottled: Hefe (002), Belgian Honey Ale (003), Arrogant Ale (005), Schwheat Honey Wheat (006), "J&R" Cream Ale (007), Apfelwein (008), The Dogs Bollocks English Ale (009), Cinn-Nilla Spice Ale (010), Apple-Berry Apfelwein (011)
On Deck: German Kolsch
no bottling tree. My LHBS wanted WAY TOO much for one. I am going to order one online next time I place an order.
I plan to sanitize all bottles and turn them upside down on paper towels on the counter. Not the best method, but it will work.
I practiced with the bottling wand last night. OH BOY!!!! What a mess. The nipple on the end got stuck open and I had water everywhere. Will practice again tonight or tomorrow before "doing the deed".... I am sure things will be fine.
__________________ Pa-in-Utah
John Henry Brewing Co. Clinton, Utah
Primary: "Holiday Hooch"... Apfelwein spiced with Cinnamon and brown sugar.
Secondary 1: German Wheat
Secondary 2: Nuttin'
Bottled: Hefe (002), Belgian Honey Ale (003), Arrogant Ale (005), Schwheat Honey Wheat (006), "J&R" Cream Ale (007), Apfelwein (008), The Dogs Bollocks English Ale (009), Cinn-Nilla Spice Ale (010), Apple-Berry Apfelwein (011)
On Deck: German Kolsch
One thing I found during my first attempt is to not have your secondary/bottling bucket up too high. My first couple of bottles filled way too fast and foamed up a lot.
About 1-1.5 feet between the bottom of your bucket and your counter/floor seems to work well for me.
I bottled last night. It was just my second time bottling. I filled the bottles with onestep and let soak. After that I put them in the dishwashed and just did the heated dry. I pulled the whole tray of the dishwasher out and sat that on the counter. It kept the bottles about 2 inches of the counter. In a way, I guess it was like a bottle tree.
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