Metal Bottle Tree?

luckylindy345 · 10-11-2008, 07:18 PM

I am taking a welding class at college and have to pick a project to do by the end of the class. Obviously, my mind went immediately to things I could fabricate for brewing. The only thing I can think of is making a bottle tree to dry my bottles and to make the bottling process a little easier. I looked online for a metal bottle tree so I could come up with a game plan for how mine should look, but I only found plastic trees. This got me thinking about whether I should be concerned about contamination from the metal. Any thoughts on this? I was thinking about making it out of stainless steel, but I don't want to get any off-flavors from bottling this way. Also, do you think it's worth it? I've seen trees that cost about $40 but mine would cost me about $10 to make...

Any input is greatly appreciated!

**talleymonster** · 10-11-2008, 08:36 PM

I don't think you would get any off flavors from the SS. I mean, we boil our wort and ferment in Stainless Steel all the time.

I would worry about the metal scratching the inside of your bottles making it easier for the nasties to set up shop.

nitrousjunkie · 10-11-2008, 11:14 PM

+1 on that. Also the fact that it will lead to easier bottle breakage if not careful.

luckylindy345 · 10-12-2008, 12:03 AM

True, I didn't even consider that it could scratch/break the bottles...Guess I'll either have to come up with something to put over the metal "branches" or just forget the idea altogether. Infected beer is not worth the convenience of a bottle tree!

**eriktlupus** · 10-12-2008, 12:11 AM

drop the tree!! build a single tier stand instead!

Dilligaf · 10-12-2008, 01:05 AM

If you used the right size round stock for the branches you could slide food grade vinyl tubing over them. This would keep the branches from scratching the bottles but might be hard to disinfect.

luckylindy345 · 10-12-2008, 02:02 AM

erik, is a single tier stand for holding kegs? I won't be getting a keg until Christmas

I might try the food grade vinyl tubing dilligaf...if I can find a convenient way to make it work

**beerthirty** · 10-12-2008, 02:41 AM

Go for the bottle tree out of SS. Drill holes in the trunk to install the tubing then weld it all up. Weld a hose bib to the bottom of the trunk. Get plastic caps for the ends of the branches and drill holes in the caps. Now you can hook it up to a bucket of sanitizer with a pump and have a sanitizing bottle tree. Heck, build 2 and send me one.

Tripod · 10-12-2008, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckylindy345

True, I didn't even consider that it could scratch/break the bottles...Guess I'll either have to come up with something to put over the metal "branches" or just forget the idea altogether. Infected beer is not worth the convenience of a bottle tree!

Love the welded tree idea! I'm an ametuer metal sculptor and I've thought of doing the same thing...

You can get this stuff at any Home Depot (can't remember what it is called) in the tools section that is designed for coating the handles of pliers, screwdrivers, etc. You can dip your "branches" in this stuff and you'll have a sealed rubber "grip" that is permanent and impossible for water or nasties to get under and get foul. Plus it only costs $7!

If you dip your branches in it prior to welding, you can have some protection for your glass bottles. Just remember to leave an inch or so undipped so you have a bare-metal end to weld to the "trunk"...

Good Luck!

-Tripod

cellardoor · 10-12-2008, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beerthirty

Go for the bottle tree out of SS. Drill holes in the trunk to install the tubing then weld it all up. Weld a hose bib to the bottom of the trunk. Get plastic caps for the ends of the branches and drill holes in the caps. Now you can hook it up to a bucket of sanitizer with a pump and have a sanitizing bottle tree. Heck, build 2 and send me one.

Holy Crap that's a great idea. Build 3 and send me one too. I'll even chip in for supplies and labor

10-11-2008, 07:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
luckylindy345 Member Recipes Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 75	Metal Bottle Tree? I am taking a welding class at college and have to pick a project to do by the end of the class. Obviously, my mind went immediately to things I could fabricate for brewing. The only thing I can think of is making a bottle tree to dry my bottles and to make the bottling process a little easier. I looked online for a metal bottle tree so I could come up with a game plan for how mine should look, but I only found plastic trees. This got me thinking about whether I should be concerned about contamination from the metal. Any thoughts on this? I was thinking about making it out of stainless steel, but I don't want to get any off-flavors from bottling this way. Also, do you think it's worth it? I've seen trees that cost about $40 but mine would cost me about $10 to make... Any input is greatly appreciated!

10-11-2008, 08:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
talleymonster Star Wars Acolyte Recipes Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 2,030 talleymonster's Gallery	I don't think you would get any off flavors from the SS. I mean, we boil our wort and ferment in Stainless Steel all the time. I would worry about the metal scratching the inside of your bottles making it easier for the nasties to set up shop. __________________ Melvin Rooter Brewing Planned - Ed's Haus Pale, Yooper's DFH 60min IPA, Choco-Oatmeal Stout, Pulque Pale Ale Primary - Empty Conditioning - Spiced Holiday Apfelwein Send home brew to our soldiers....join the WHMBP! -- Check out our Brew Wiki!

10-11-2008, 11:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
nitrousjunkie Member Recipes Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fayetteville, NC for now Posts: 90	+1 on that. Also the fact that it will lead to easier bottle breakage if not careful. __________________ Primary: Dust Secondary:Strong Belgin Secondary 2: Air Kegged: Applewine, Irish Red, O-Fest Next: Barleywine

10-12-2008, 12:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
eriktlupus LET'S GO RED WINGS!! Recipes Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cereal City, USA Posts: 1,122 eriktlupus's Gallery	drop the tree!! build a single tier stand instead! __________________ primary1 :9/9/9 barleywine DRINKIN DAWG BREWERY LET'S GO RED WINGS WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD join michigan mashers here

10-12-2008, 01:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dilligaf Member Recipes Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Eastman, GA Posts: 32	If you used the right size round stock for the branches you could slide food grade vinyl tubing over them. This would keep the branches from scratching the bottles but might be hard to disinfect. __________________ " I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day." - Frank Sinatra -

10-12-2008, 12:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
luckylindy345 Member Recipes Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 75	True, I didn't even consider that it could scratch/break the bottles...Guess I'll either have to come up with something to put over the metal "branches" or just forget the idea altogether. Infected beer is not worth the convenience of a bottle tree!

10-12-2008, 02:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
luckylindy345 Member Recipes Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 75	erik, is a single tier stand for holding kegs? I won't be getting a keg until Christmas I might try the food grade vinyl tubing dilligaf...if I can find a convenient way to make it work

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