MalFet's bottle washer for lazy homebrewers

[evancold]

The measurements look good, but man-oh-man, that ain't cheap. If we could figure out the type of rubber in the other stuff, I'd feel more confident.

Yeah the price is scary that's for sure. I was able to find them somewhere else for 7.77 per 10 pack with free shipping. I was not able to find what material the other ones were made of. However as a test I left a few in a cup of water. After 48 hours the water was cloudy and even has some floaties from the rubber grommets. If you think these will work I am going to order them in the morning.

 

[evancold]

lol they had a link saying click here to be emailed a better price. Just got the email 7.61 with free shipping per 10 pack

ahh crap! they said free shipping till i went to the site and added them in the cart. now it says 16 bucks shipping for 4 packs! So much for that idea

 

[DPBISME]

Cool... a parts list to help the "unskilled" brewers like me..

 

[MalFet]

Come on... help the "unskilled" brewers like me... post a parts-list!.

Did you check the section in the OP labeled Parts?

 

[DPBISME]

Did you check the section in the OP labeled Parts?

I just figured it out... I went from the home page and could not get to the parts list.

Went in DIY and there it was....


Edited my post so I did not look like a complete (xxxxx)!

 

[MalFet]

I just figured it out... I went from the home page and could not get to the parts list.

Went in DIY and there it was....


Edited my post so I did not look like a complete (xxxxx)!

Huh, weird. Glad it worked in the end!

 

[DPBISME]

Huh, weird. Glad it worked in the end!

Now if I can just get a parts list for a Keg and Carboy washer I will be Kicking@$$...

 

[rekoob]

This thread is AWESOME!

I have WAY too many bottles that don't get much use anymore cuz I started kegging but will keep this thread in reach just in case I find myself wanting to clean some bottles.

 

[revco]

This is the closest I can find, says they are silicone. Do you think these will work?

http://www.drillspot.com/products/5...military_specification_rubber_grommet#reviews

I think those will be just fine. At a melting point between 400-450 degrees, you'd be pumping aerosolized gas before you had any problems. I couldn't find any particular food safety info on the standards, but silicone is usually safe.

 

[MalFet]

I think those will be just fine. At a melting point between 400-450 degrees, you'd be pumping aerosolized gas before you had any problems. I couldn't find any particular food safety info on the standards, but silicone is usually safe.

I'm a bit confused, though. Elsewhere in the description they're described as "Styrene Butadiene Rubber". IANAPolymerChemist, but I'd double check to make sure which is what.

 

[Ddubduder]

Now if I can just get a parts list for a Keg and Carboy washer I will be Kicking@$$...

Unfortunately I'm on my phone and can't get a link easily but look up Marcb's Sanke Keg Washer build, it's blinged out but freaking awesome!

 

[revco]

Now if I can just get a parts list for a Keg and Carboy washer I will be Kicking@$$...

This is super easy if you have the pump. Here's what you'll need:

(1) 1-1/4" Lead Free Brass or SS Coupler
(1) 1-1/4" to 1" Lead Free Brass or SS Reducer Bushing
(1) 1" MIPS to Slip CPVC Adapter

(Note, the three above parts can be replaced if you can find a CPVC 1-1/4" FIPS x 1" Slip Adapter, I haven't found any personally.)

(~3") 1" CPVC
(1) 1" x 1/2" CPVC Reducer Bushing
(~6-12") 1/2" CPVC
(1) Homer Bucket With Lid
(1) Carboy Holder

Simply build the riser, cut a hole in your bucket's lid, drop a carboy holder on and you're done. There's no need to use 45* elbows to bring the pump's output to the center of the pump. I've found you can get the output to fit in the center of the bucket without such fittings.

A keg washer usually entails a cross that is then connected to high temp 1/2" tubing attached to keg quick disconnects. If it were me, I'd cross with a 1" CPVC and reduce from there to maximize flow and pressure. This allows you to wash the two tubes within the keg along with the inside of the keg.

There's other ways to do it, with different fittings, but I prefer having a 1" input for as much as possible since it maximizes flow. You could also go straight to 1/2" CPVC from the 1" FIPSxSlip adapter with a 1" socket x 1/2" slip CPVC bushing. You also have the option of using the provided reducer (with the pump) that would eliminate the need to deal with 1" CPVC and reductions entirely, but it will reduce the output from the pump immediately.

 

[DPBISME]

This is super easy if you have the pump. Here's what you'll need:

Thanks.... I will get right on it as I need to keg 25 gallons...

I have an English Summer Ale and what I am calling an American Summer Ale.

12 and 13 gallons respectively.

so I plan to have keg 10 of each and mix the left overs from both together.

I will call that ONE an Anglo-American Summer Ale...

dpb

 

[evancold]

First off I would like to thank MalFet for the amazing idea for my bottle washer. I have also modified my system to wash everything. The ultimate in lazy homebrewing, thank you for the motivation to be lazy It now washes bottles, kegs, buckets, carboys, and even beer lines. I would also like to thank revco for the idea of wood holding the bottles for the ability to wash any size bottles. I have modified the bottle washer to wash 24 bottles of any size rather than 30 long necks. I have attached pictures of my ghetto lazy setup, enjoy!

Also MalFet I took the new grommets to my local homebrew store, the owner is a chemist so I was hoping he would have some in-sight. He said they are not pure silicon however even with "Styrene Butadiene Rubber" mixed he would not worry about using them in the washer. He is not a poly-chemist however I trust his opinion on this. Also as a test I left the black grommets in water for 48 hours, this left murky water that appeared to have some chemical present. I did the same with the new grommets and the water is still crystal clear after a week, So I feel safe using the new grommets.

 

[MalFet]

That looks great, evancold!

How much were the grommets ultimately?

 

[mrklueber]

Subscribed - great ideas here. Thanks.

 

[evancold]

That looks great, evancold!

How much were the grommets ultimately?

I was able to find them on ebay with free shipping. They were $8 per 20, I purchased 40 grommets for a total of $16 for grommets.

 

[revco]

That's awesome Evancold! Great job!

Looks like you hit the same problem I did with using this setup as a carboy cleaner. It pumps so much water into the carboy that it doesn't drain fast enough. I think I'm going to end up with a drilled cap on mine, because I like to be able to run it unattended.

I love how this setup can be modularized for different purposes. It's totally made it worthwhile. I've all ready run through three cases of bottles on mine & it's changed the way I look at bottling completely!

Looking great! Thanks for the update!

 

[jbnla]

I was able to find them on ebay with free shipping. They were $8 per 20, I purchased 40 grommets for a total of $16 for grommets.

Great addition to Malfet's build with the grommets. Could you post a link where you found them. I could not locate anyone selling 20 packs.

 

[evancold]

Great addition to Malfet's build with the grommets. Could you post a link where you found them. I could not locate anyone selling 20 packs.

Seems they are sold out now. Check the sellers store they have others that might work as well.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...akeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

 

[Aschecte]

This build is so darn awesome !!!! I love it !!! I am building this tomorrow.

 

[tryn2brew]

Seems they have listed more at this link
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=121104370851&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

 

[lawyerjim]

Where can I find the CPVC 1/2" crosses the original poster used?

 

[Brewitt]

Upon seeing this thread I thought "I've got to make one of those" and then I turned out to be wrong. I had a birthday last week and my brother came strolling in with one he made me as a gift. Nice to have a handy brother with good tool skills! Thanks for the design. Can't wait to use it.

 

[Ladder23Brewing]

Im going to be tackling this project this weekend. I have the Fast Rack and will be following "nameless's" idea of setting the fast rack on top of the washer so you never have to remove bottles. I will post pics of my results ASAP!

 

[Polboy]

I just want to confirm that PBW is the way to go, it doesnt work with oxiclean due to the foaming but PBW is just fine

 

[MalFet]

I just want to confirm that PBW is the way to go, it doesnt work with oxiclean due to the foaming but PBW is just fine

I've only used PBW and StarSan, and I can only speak to my anecdotal experiences. I get a bit of foaming with the StarSan and none with the PBW, so at the very least it works for me!

 

[Ducky2010]

I'm still a relatively new brewer but I already HATE washing bottles. And kegging is way beyond my space/portability/price needs at the moment. When I was washing bottles today using a total dunk method all I could think is that there had to be done sort of pump setup. I knew the answers would be here on HBT!

Totally going to set this up before I bottle my next batch. If it works I'll have overcome my biggest hurdle for homebrewing. You're a genius, and I'll post the finished build when it happens.

 

[Ladder23Brewing]

So I was able to make this finally and it works great!



I followed Nameless's version of this bottle washer as I use the fastrack. I must say it makes this process even easier when you use the fastrack. I did not make posts like you design did but surprisingly enough the posts are not necessary. water still makes contact with the bottom of the bottle at all times. I used the same pump that you recommended and instead of placing the bottles inside the crate, I put them on top of the crate to elevate them.











I cut notches into the fastrack feet so the rack literally just fits into place and does not move. It only takes a few minutes and all 24 bottles are fresh and clean!

Thanks for the great ideas, Ill post later if I have any updates.

 

[NMG318]

Ladder23Brewing, Do you have any video of your washer?