Bottling Tips for the Homebrewer - Page 52

Grasslands · 02-08-2012, 08:23 PM

So much info to digest in one thread - my spigot on my lone bottling bucket broke recently, so this gives me the incentive to make a dip-tube mod (something I can't believe I haven't done yet, given all that I've brewed in the past three years).

Also, the info on priming sugar is exceptionally helpful. In a few weekends, I'm going to bottle an all-organic wild honey cider with some dark brown sugar...the first time I'll be using non-corn sugar to prime. Freakin' stoked!

corn · 02-09-2012, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by owentp

My spigot is approx. 1" from bottom of the bucket. Even with my attempts using dip tubes and having the bottle filling wand, which is long, it has a slower drain and it stops with about and inch of fluid in the bucket. I have an acutally bottling bucket with pre-drilled hole.

just an idea: you may not have a tight seal between your diptube connection and the spiggot. once the fluid level gets to the leak, you lose the siphon effect.

jcotner45 · 02-11-2012, 02:20 PM

Just a quick question. I have a batch of Irish Red Ale that has been bottled for a little over 3 weeks now and its not really getting any more carbonated. My question is: should I roll the bottles to get the yeast up and active from the bottom or what?

**Revvy** · 02-11-2012, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcotner45

Just a quick question. I have a batch of Irish Red Ale that has been bottled for a little over 3 weeks now and its not really getting any more carbonated. My question is: should I roll the bottles to get the yeast up and active from the bottom or what?

You don't really have to, you can if you want, but really you just need to give it more time. As I've said repeatedly the 3 weeks at 70 is just a minimum....and a rule of thumb anyway.

RubiconMatt · 02-13-2012, 01:15 AM

There is a ton of great info in this thread. I will be going over it the next few days, thanks for posting!!

luvinit · 02-13-2012, 06:09 PM

I followed your bottling method with the wand on the bucket and the copper pipe inside the bucket,WOW you knocked at least an hour off my bottling time,the only question is with the wand bottomed out in bottle cant really fill all the way the wand takes up space,should still be ok no? this works fantastic takes all the hassle out of bottling

PortlandPatrick · 02-13-2012, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvinit

I followed your bottling method with the wand on the bucket and the copper pipe inside the bucket,WOW you knocked at least an hour off my bottling time,the only question is with the wand bottomed out in bottle cant really fill all the way the wand takes up space,should still be ok no? this works fantastic takes all the hassle out of bottling

Since you do want a little headspace, it's a convenient bonus of the mechanics of bottling with a wand - the displacement from the wand equals just the right amount*.

* Of course, someone out there disagrees with it being "just the right amount" of headspace, but I think it would be safe to say that the vast vast vast vast majority of people (basically, everybody but that one naysayer) who bottles would agree.

**jdubb75** · 02-13-2012, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PortlandPatrick

Since you do want a little headspace, it's a convenient bonus of the mechanics of bottling with a wand - the displacement from the wand equals just the right amount*.

* Of course, someone out there disagrees with it being "just the right amount" of headspace, but I think it would be safe to say that the vast vast vast vast majority of people (basically, everybody but that one naysayer) who bottles would agree.

I usually let the volume of the wand create headspace in my 12oz bottles, but if I'm filling 22's I'll pull it about an inch from from the top. That combined with the displacemnt of the wand seems to create headspace more in accordance with what I see from commercial craft beers.

PortlandPatrick · 02-13-2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdubb75

I usually let the volume of the wand create headspace in my 12oz bottles, but if I'm filling 22's I'll pull it about an inch from from the top. That combined with the displacemnt of the wand seems to create headspace more in accordance with what I see from commercial craft beers.

Good point. I should have mentioned that I was referring to 12oz bottles. I eyeball it with bombers.

coolharry · 02-14-2012, 09:19 PM

Just have to add my thanks here for everyone's tips!
I got my first batch bottled up on Sunday and it was a lot of fun. I used the PVC elbow trick and i worked like a charm!
thanks again everyone, this site and all its users are awesome!