Almost Automated Bottle Sanitizer with pics and video

[Buffman]

For me, the benefit of this system is that I can submerge the flip-tops on my EZ cap bottles while sanitizing the inside. With a Vinator (which I was just about to buy before I saw this gadget), I'd also have to dip the caps.

The 350 GPH pump works great for three uprights. I get about the same vertical as in AirRageous' video. I'm planning to use it with IO Star sanitizer. I use StarSan for everything else, but it'd probably foam out of the bucket with this system.

 

[AirRageous]

For me, the benefit of this system is that I can submerge the flip-tops on my EZ cap bottles while sanitizing the inside. With a Vinator (which I was just about to buy before I saw this gadget), I'd also have to dip the caps.

That is why I showed the different kinds and sizes of bottles in the video. Works for all of them. And that is a very good point about the flip top bottles.

 

[ThatGuyRyan]

Well I made mine last night but the pump I got from home depot wont cut it Its only a 140gph so that will be going back and I will head out to Harbor to pick up 528gph for the same price. Then its time to wash!

 

[Buffman]

Don't get any on you! I noticed that, with the 350 GPH model, when you have a bottle on one upright, pressure change doubles the height of hte fountains from the other upright(s).

 

[vcm1613]

This the pump I used from Harbor Freight for about $25.

I really recommend the size pump pictured as the minimum size pump to use for this if your going to use 1/2" pvc as your "washing posts".
I thought i'd get out on the cheap side and bought a 170gph pond pump from Lowe's as an "open box" for $20. My local HF Store did not have any of the pictured pumps in stock. The 170 gph is enough pressure to do 1 bottle at a time, based on the manifold design given. The only way I can figure to make enough pressure will be to use smaller tubing size like 1/4" for the washing posts and connect then with some type of reducer. Personally I'm just going to take this pump back and hang in there for a larger pump if possible. It's a damn shame because I have beer to be bottled this weekend!

-J

 

[Buffman]

Agreed, VCM. Anything 250-350 will probably do it. The 350 GPH model I use works great for three, and it is adjustable. Check out amazon.com.

 

[peterfuse]

that thing is awesome

 

[P-Lay]

An improvement would be to put bottle filler style tips on so that it only flows when the bottle is pressed on. That way you wouldn't make too much of a mess. Maybe something like a schrader valve with a bit of the top tube trimmed to make the center pin exposed.

Just thinking that if you go this route, you'll probably want to have one valve open at all times so you don't have a situation where the pump has a blocked output. This could burn up your pump pretty quickly.

 

[newkarian]

As far as the star san foaming with this setup. Couldnt you just put a few drops of FermcapS or other anti foaming agent in the star san?

 

[beach]

Cool setup, I made something similar a few months ago that allows me to sanitize 8 bottles at a time & it's a major time saver. I used 1/2" cpvc fittings but reduced down to 1/4" copper tubing for the bottle posts. I sweated caps on the posts and drilled a small hole in it for a nice little spray inside the bottles. The pump I use is >150 gph IIRC

 

[AirRageous]

Cool setup, I made something similar a few months ago that allows me to sanitize 8 bottles at a time & it's a major time saver. I used 1/2" cpvc fittings but reduced down to 1/4" copper tubing for the bottle posts. I sweated caps on the posts and drilled a small hole in it for a nice little spray inside the bottles. The pump I use is >150 gph IIRC

Got any pics of your set-up. It sounds interesting.

 

[Buffman]

I've used this system now for several batches and am quite happy with the ease and speed sanitizing >40 bottles. I use StarSan. It, of course, foams like crazy, but it does not escape the bucket. Also, I cut four slots in the top of each upright, allowing sanitzer to spray out the sides and better coat the inside of the bottle. For you brewers and bottlers with kids, it's a great way to involve them in the process. My 5-year-old daughter is my bottling assistant: she loves putting the bottles on, spinning them on the uprights, and racking them.

Thanks again for a great DIY.

 

[AirRageous]

I've used this system now for several batches and am quite happy with the ease and speed sanitizing >40 bottles. I use StarSan. It, of course, foams like crazy, but it does not escape the bucket. Also, I cut four slots in the top of each upright, allowing sanitzer to spray out the sides and better coat the inside of the bottle. For you brewers and bottlers with kids, it's a great way to involve them in the process. My 5-year-old daughter is my bottling assistant: she loves putting the bottles on, spinning them on the uprights, and racking them.

Thanks again for a great DIY.

Cool, I'm glad it is working well for you. I love using mine.

 

[Proetus]

If you are worried about foaming you can use Sani-clean. It is the low foaming version of starsan. For CIP operations and pumps.

 

[JVD_X]

Here it is in a Homer bucket. You only need to mix about 2 gallons of sanitizer solution. Just enough to come up over the pump and the neck of the bottles to sanitize the outside lip.

That is great work. You should expand it so you can clean bottles as well. For example, use one of the under-bed rubbermaid containers and rainbird sprinklers. Of course, you would need to turn it off when changing bottles. I bet you could clean a case or two at a time. Heck, add a RIMS style heater and you have a super heated bottle washer and sanitizer

 

[OLDBREW]

automatic dishwasher with a second dry cycle will do all the washing and sanitizing you need
Just rinse the bottles when you drink your beer.

 

[rico567]

A very innovative solution to sanitizing.....I think it would be more efficient the more bottles involved. Given @50 bottles in a 5-gal. batch, I'll stick with my vinator and Star San. Takes about 15 minutes.

 

[codemonkey]

I've been looking around and found this pump http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752997 that does 780 GPH and it's only $37. This appears to be a better solution for more bottles. I know in another thread a guy built his out of copper and did 12 at a time with a smaller pump.

 

[camiller]

An improvement would be to put bottle filler style tips on so that it only flows when the bottle is pressed on. That way you wouldn't make too much of a mess. Maybe something like a schrader valve with a bit of the top tube trimmed to make the center pin exposed.

Or simply hook one of these to the outlet of the pump:

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/ProdByID.aspx?ProdID=4150

 

[jsarkauskas]

I just wanted to say thank you for posting this. I just built mine today and i think its going to work awesome. My dad had a spare pump for the pond that I convinced him to donate to the project. It was super easy to construct and just made bottling a little bit easier.

 

[orangehero]

I don't see the point of this. I just use a small plastic tote filled with sanitizer. Dunk the bottle in, swirl the sanitizer around inside, dump it out and put the bottle upside down on a rack. Takes 5 seconds at most.

If this was high pressure, I could understand it being used for washing bottles, but it's overly complicated just for getting a small amount of sanitizer inside of a bottle.

 

[Shred]

Rekindling an old thread... 6 at once on a 550 GPH.