The last straw bottle filler

[Rivenin]

What's the best way to chill and sanitize?

I have a blichmann beergun, but same idea...
i toss bottles into the freezer before i get everything setup (which takes about 10-15 minutes) and bottles are pretty frozen after that. if i need extras, i take the dozen or so out of the freezer and put about a dozen more in, while i fill those the others are freezing.

for sanitizing, i have a vintinator and just use do about 3-4 bottles at a time.

pretty time consuming, but this is why i do about a 12 pack

 

[BowAholic]

NB is running 20% off today...anyone else thinking about buying one..?

 

[Bradyfumbled]

NB is running 20% off today...anyone else thinking about buying one..?

I'm still a bit skittish and would like to see a few more reviews before I pull the trigger.

I really don't have many issues with my cheap home made racking cane-picnic tap-rubber stopper bottling system that I and so many others use, but if this works as well as the manufacturer claims, I'd love the upgrade. I'd like to have better consistency with my fill levels and the peace of mind that comes with true CO2 purging.

 

[cdoebler]

I'm still a bit skittish and would like to see a few more reviews before I pull the trigger.

I really don't have many issues with my cheap home made racking cane-picnic tap-rubber stopper bottling system that I and so many others use, but if this works as well as the manufacturer claims, I'd love the upgrade. I'd like to have better consistency with my fill levels and the peace of mind that comes with true CO2 purging.

Next weekend I'll be doing round two of using it. And believe me, if it doesn't work out, I'll let you know. This is supposed to be an IPA Christmas present. I'm going to try chilling the bottles before filling to see if that helps. As of now, I wouldn't recommend this over the cheap homebrew forum built model.

 

[Firewalker11]

I'm still a bit skittish and would like to see a few more reviews before I pull the trigger.

I really don't have many issues with my cheap home made racking cane-picnic tap-rubber stopper bottling system that I and so many others use, but if this works as well as the manufacturer claims, I'd love the upgrade. I'd like to have better consistency with my fill levels and the peace of mind that comes with true CO2 purging.

I got a really BIG gift card from a buddy for Christmas for "the worlds biggest LHBS" and tried out the Last Straw bottle filler today, they were doing a demo at my LHBS and I asked if I could try it.

BIG FREAKING DEAL!! I have a racking cane and rubber stopper that can slide on the cane and it odes the same darn thing!

The "CO2 purge" is bull Schmidt too! The cane and stopper allows enough foam to push out all the O2 and BOTH the Last Straw and the cane with stopper leave some O2 in the bottle when removing them. Only the commercial fillers (like at the tap room and winery I work at) have a CO2 purge at the TOP of the bottle neck!!

Save your money, there is nothing to see here...

 

[logdrum]

I rig up a bottle filler (with the spring check valve on the end) to a picnic tap out of my C02 tank & give a quick spritz to my bottles to purge them. I also use the same concept on the beer side so I can stop the flow by lifting the filler. Still don't like bottling tho[emoji35]

 

[jimyson]

I have one and like it. It's ergonomically correct, purges before and after fine, and allows me to bottle things that will last on the shelf longer than the poor mans beer gun, etc. You do need to be cautious when using a sanitizer pitcher to set it in as it is spring loaded to release the liquid.

I wasn't able to fill bottles at serving pressure without foaming, even with cold bottles. So I just knocked it down to 4 psi and it just took a little longer. I purged fine before and after fill.

Buy it on sale. You'll be happy with it.

 

[BowAholic]

I have one and like it. It's ergonomically correct, purges before and after fine, and allows me to bottle things that will last on the shelf longer than the poor mans beer gun, etc. You do need to be cautious when using a sanitizer pitcher to set it in as it is spring loaded to release the liquid.

I wasn't able to fill bottles at serving pressure without foaming, even with cold bottles. So I just knocked it down to 4 psi and it just took a little longer. I purged fine before and after fill.

Buy it on sale. You'll be happy with it.

Glad to hear it... I ordered mine yesterday.

 

[PeteNMA]

Any bottle filler when used correctly completely purges the bottle, so there is no longer shelf life to be had. You should be capping on foam.

 

[jimyson]

For those who buy this and don't have 1/4" flare fitting on their regulator or distributor will want to keep in mind that this kit comes with 1/4" nut on the air side. In my case, my regulator is barb and has hoses that use 1/4" flare with my disconnects, to extend that hose when the disconnect is removed, I needed to buy a 1/4" male to male flare. Hope that makes sense.

 

[Firewalker11]

Any bottle filler when used correctly completely purges the bottle, so there is no longer shelf life to be had. You should be capping on foam.

Capping on foam but when the filler is removed, air follows into the bottle. Does your filler have a post-purge option?

 

[PeteNMA]

The foam is what purges any air which enters in the few seconds between taking out the filler and capping the bottle. If you're really concerned you can overflow the bottles with beer as you take the wand out. Either way there is essentially no exposure to air

 

[PeteNMA]

Purging with foam is also how automated bottling and canning lines operate too. It's tried and tested and it works. To dismiss it as a poor mans option is simply untrue

 

[Firewalker11]

The foam is what purges any air which enters in the few seconds between taking out the filler and capping the bottle. If you're really concerned you can overflow the bottles with beer as you take the wand out. Either way there is essentially no exposure to air

Yes, as you say in your last post, the rising foam purges the bottle but it HAS to rise past the neck and be coming out of the bottle to be purged.

 

[Yesfan]

Yes, as you say in your last post, the rising foam purges the bottle but it HAS to rise past the neck and be coming out of the bottle to be purged.

Does it really matter? Whether the foam comes out of the neck or drops slightly after the wand has been removed, there's still going to be that foam barrier between the air and the beer. The last imperial stout I bottled, I removed the wand as the foam was coming out of the neck. I'm sure there was a slight bit of air that was still at the top of the bottle when I removed the wand. 18 months later, the last two bottles of that stout had plenty of carbonation and they tasted better than what it was like 12 months earlier.

 

[pshankstar]

The first use of the Last Straw had what I thought had a lot of foam. My father in-law and I would fill the bottle till foam was coming out of the bottle and the beer was close to the top then pull out the Last Straw. The beer would drop down some and there would be space with some foam. We shall see how it turns out down the road...

 

[Firewalker11]

Does it really matter? Whether the foam comes out of the neck or drops slightly after the wand has been removed, there's still going to be that foam barrier between the air and the beer. The last imperial stout I bottled, I removed the wand as the foam was coming out of the neck. I'm sure there was a slight bit of air that was still at the top of the bottle when I removed the wand. 18 months later, the last two bottles of that stout had plenty of carbonation and they tasted better than what it was like 12 months earlier.

No idea at all, it's done this way commercially, we do it at the brewery, I do it at home and it works. This is really about the last straw filler though, I was not impressed, lots of work, gear, expense that doesn't change the fill at all.

Heck, I can let you all slap each other on the back trumpeting on about a bunch of stainless steel and buttons while I fill bottles faster and with less work but hey, why not poke y'all with a stick?

 

[Yesfan]

No idea at all, it's done this way commercially, we do it at the brewery, I do it at home and it works. This is really about the last straw filler though, I was not impressed, lots of work, gear, expense that doesn't change the fill at all.

Heck, I can let you all slap each other on the back trumpeting on about a bunch of stainless steel and buttons while I fill bottles faster and with less work but hey, why not poke y'all with a stick?

Haha! Congrats....you just made my list of people I want to meet before I kick the bucket.


Seriously? I agree. This is about the Last Straw Filler. My apologies for derailing this thread.

 

[Firewalker11]

Haha! Congrats....you just made my list of people I want to meet before I kick the bucket.


Seriously? I agree. This is about the Last Straw Filler. My apologies for derailing this thread.

Careful what you ask for! I am an unusual person (ya think?) and am glad you didn't say you wanted to kick MY bucket!

{:}POKE{:}

 

[d3track]

What's the best way to chill and sanitize?

Because I only fill a couple at a time, I put sanitizer in them and put them in the kegerator, typically over night. It works for me.

 

[mxstar21]

The first use of the Last Straw had what I thought had a lot of foam. My father in-law and I would fill the bottle till foam was coming out of the bottle and the beer was close to the top then pull out the Last Straw. The beer would drop down some and there would be space with some foam. We shall see how it turns out down the road...

I had the same problems and tried everything. I could not get it to work right. I watched the video 5 times, chilled the bottles and tried all kinds of different psi and still had foam pouring out. I switched to the Blichmann beer gun I was hoping to replace, dropped psi to about 4-6 psi and no problems with foaming use room temperature bottles. I really hope I can figure out what the issue is, I like all of the features the Last Straw has (except excessive foaming)and I hate the rubber tip on on the Blichmann beer gun. Not ready to ditch the Blichmann yet though.

 

[pshankstar]

I had the same problems and tried everything. I could not get it to work right. I watched the video 5 times, chilled the bottles and tried all kinds of different psi and still had foam pouring out. I switched to the Blichmann beer gun I was hoping to replace, dropped psi to about 4-6 psi and no problems with foaming use room temperature bottles. I really hope I can figure out what the issue is, I like all of the features the Last Straw has (except excessive foaming)and I hate the rubber tip on on the Blichmann beer gun. Not ready to ditch the Blichmann yet though.

I'm trying to remember what we did, but we bottled another batch with the Last Straw and it was so much nicer. Almost identical to the videos they have to show you how to use it. ARGH I hate when this happens. Well, I will try to make note of it when I use it again to report back. But I will have to say after my first experience the second time went a lot better.

Sorry I do not have more to offer right now, but I will do my best to report back when I use it again.

 

[mxstar21]

Please do! I really want this thing to work, but I am slowly losing hope. :

 

[ChapBrewer]

I had a similar experience with the Last Straw. The first batch was all messed up, inconsistent fill level and lots of foaming. But the second time it was all better. I did, however, had to lower the pressure of the keg to 5 psi, luckily I have a dual regulator but I couldn't get the filler to work at serving pressure without crazy foaming.

My advice is to try different pressures, I'm sure one will work and also make sure the beer is at equilibrium and you can pour it nicely in a glass.

When you hit that sweet spot where you can use the Last Straw without problems, it's actually a pretty nice filler

 

[PeteNMA]

Try a longer beer line going to the gun. I have ten feet of 3/16 line going to my faucets, and using a bottle filler with a couple of feet of line just didn't work. Added another ten feet of line between the faucet and the filler and all is well

 

[pshankstar]

Please do! I really want this thing to work, but I am slowly losing hope. :

I'm not sure if this helps, but about a month ago I bottled an American Wheat beer using my Last Straw and it worked great. The keg was set to 10psi and was half full by the time I decided to bottle the rest. I'm not sure if this played a factor where the beer in the keg was well carbonated and stable for a few weeks. Maybe if the beer hasn't been kegged long enough, that may play a factor in a lot a foam??? Just a thought.

But what I will have to say is it worked great the third time I used it and I'm happy with my purchase.

 

[mxstar21]

I can't say enough about Northern Brewers customer service. After hearing that I couldn't get mine to wrk and exchanging emails, they sent me a replacement. Their thinking was that something on the gas side was leaking excess CO2 causing it to foam up. Unfortunetaly, I have been able to try it out and it's been about 2 months at least. Due to work I have just been too busy.

I will say with the customer service I received, they stand behind their product and since others have gotten to work I may have just received a dud which happens. I really want to try the new one out. The features really seem so much nicer than the Blichmann. Hopefully in a week I can post a positive update!

 

[Little_Lebowski]

Just got mine today. Plan on using tomorrow. From all I've read and heard, a lot of these first time use horror stories are from people not following the instructions. Cold bottles, cold bottles, low psi ( 2psi), use a pint glass for your first fill until you've got it rolling past the foam up--- remember your beer line is also WARM and this helps cool it down too, cold bottles, LOW psi, AND DONT BLEED THE CO2 OFF THE HEADSPACE OF YOUR KEG BEFORE YOU USE!

FYI: mine came with 10 feet of 3/16 liquid line. Not sure if th early sales were coming with shorter lines. So, this 10' liquid line in the box could be a response from NB to correct some problems.

I'll be sure to post tomorrow!


Ps.. Here's a link to a YouTube video. This dude posted 2 hater videos on YouTube and swore to ship it back before he finally posted this one praising its glory and owning up to causing the foam himself:

https://youtu.be/y2cj0v28O64

 

[mxstar21]

Just got mine today. Plan on using tomorrow. From all I've read and heard, a lot of these first time use horror stories are from people not following the instructions. Cold bottles, cold bottles, low psi ( 2psi), use a pint glass for your first fill until you've got it rolling past the foam up--- remember your beer line is also WARM and this helps cool it down too, cold bottles, LOW psi, AND DONT BLEED THE CO2 OFF THE HEADSPACE OF YOUR KEG BEFORE YOU USE!

FYI: mine came with 10 feet of 3/16 liquid line. Not sure if th early sales were coming with shorter lines. So, this 10' liquid line in the box could be a response from NB to correct some problems.

I'll be sure to post tomorrow!


Ps.. Here's a link to a YouTube video. This dude posted 2 hater videos on YouTube and swore to ship it back before he finally posted this one praising its glory and owning up to causing the foam himself:

https://youtu.be/y2cj0v28O64

You are supposed to use serving pressure with the "Last Straw" filler which is between 8 and 12 psi. The Blichmann beer gun is supposed to be used between 2-6 psi.

 

[Little_Lebowski]

No "supposed to" in this business my man. Whatever works, works.