bottling sux

[BigKahuna]

I just finished a 5 gal Batch with SWMBO. She filled, I capped. This works great, and it was her first batch...she did most of the work 2 weeks ago. The suck part came when at 5 o clock on Sunday evening 120 miles from the LHBS...7 bottles on the table, and you break your dual lever caper.
Still made it through the batch, but I'm getting a good bench capper, and another one of these as a backup. That could have been much worse than it was.

 

[cuinrearview]

Bottling used to suck for me. I'd make the rounds to the local stores, ask to buy bottles, then spend the rest of the night cleaning yeast, mold and cigarettes out of my bottles.

Now, I hit co-workers up constantly for their screw-less bottles. They know I brew and are happy to cooperate with hot rinsed bottles.

A few hours in your choice of sanitizers, some hot tap water rinse with the bottle jet, right to the dishwasher for a heated dry cycle and I'm ready. Set the bottling bucket on top of the DW, pull out a tray, and start filling with the bottle wand. Hand to an assistant, and 50 are done in no time. The thing for me is, as previously stated, the convenience. I still give a bit of every batch away to curious beer drinkers. Hopefully, someday, I'll be getting some in return

 

[McKBrew]

I think it gets easier the more I do it. Used a spring tipped bottle filler last night and these things definately make life easier.

 

[rcb]

Kegging is the best thing i did. Don't get me wrong i didn't mind bottling but kegging saves time and in the long run(i think) money. The only time i bottle now is when someone wants to try my beer. But remember brewing is something to be savored almost as much a dinking brew, take your time and enjoy it!

 

[fratermus]

Now, I hit co-workers up constantly for their screw-less bottles. They know I brew and are happy to cooperate with hot rinsed bottles.

I put up a sign in my cube that says I need brown pop-top bottles. Included a close-up picture of the neck of the right kind. They are starting to come in, rinsed out and all.

I did start using a springless bottling wand, and it's much easier than trying to control a spigot.

 

[violins]

I really enjoyed Homercidal's post because my 10-year-old son is the best helper, especially for bottling.
His job is to hold the bottling spring tube for the transfer to the bottling bucket, and then to fill all the bottles. Works great. He just lifts it up off the bottom and it stops. He fills the bottles and I set down another empty when take the filled one to the capper. I can usually keep up with him, but he can easily wait for me when he has too.
We just bottled a stout last night and he wanted to stay up and talk about how good it was going to be. We made plans to make some rootbeer so he can drink the good stuff, too!

 

[DUCCCC]

I just bottled up 5+ gallons of Apfelwein, still, in 750ml wine bottles. It was actually quite fun. I used my Portuguese floor corker, which my sons have a lot of fun watching in action, and my 3 year old insists on getting to cork at least one bottle.

ETA:

 

[PapaWood]

I just put my bottling wand to the auto siphon, so when the wand doesnt stop flowing i just stop pumping