Wash an entire case of bottles at once?

[skylarsutton]

I was helping a buddy bottle his stuff at one of those places where they do all the heavy lifting for you and you just boil/bottle (I'm not a fan, but let's move past that).

They had a sink rigged up to wash an entire case of bottles at once. You basically loaded an upside down case of bottles into this contraption which had a cutout for each bottle that forced the neck to slide over a very small nozzle. One button press and 30 seconds later all the bottles were washed / sanitized.

Has anyone seen a contraption like this available on the open market? I know I could build one but it would cost a small fortune in bottle washing nozzles and brass MIP/FIP connections.

 

[brrman]

I wonder if you could mod a bottle drying tree to be a cleaner like you are describing...

 

[remilard]

Morebeer sells one:

http://morebeer.com/view_product/7271//Rinsing_Sparging_Base

$30 for a base that handles 12 bottles. You can also use it to purge a bottle with c02.

You do need a pond pump or something to recirculate the cleaning solution. You could get two of these, two pumps and two tubs to sit them in for around $100 or a little more. Use one for cleaning, one for sanitizing and a jet bottle rinser thing to rinse in between. Probably the best you can do, I don't see you DIYing this for much less.

 

[skylarsutton]

Good find! Same site had the slotted top for it as well. Thanks!

http://morebeer.com/view_product/7272/beerwinecoffee/Bottle_Rack_For_CE970

 

[elpresidente]

Does anyone out there have this system? I am definitely trying to make bottling day easier and this would seem like it streamlines things...

 

[JuanMoore]

It wouldn't be hard to make one fairly cheap. Here's a recent build similar to what you're describing-

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/60-carboy-bottle-washer-157456/

 

[skylarsutton]

Thanks for the link - I never did pull the trigger on this purchase and I like the recirculating idea better.

 

[hook_dupin]

I just use my dishwasher for sanitizing bottles. The only issue is that I have to wear work gloves while pulling them out after the dry cycle.

 

[elpresidente]

I just use my dishwasher for sanitizing bottles. The only issue is that I have to wear work gloves while pulling them out after the dry cycle.

I have had a few people tell me they do this, but I am really wondering how much water/cleaning solution even gets into the bottles when they are on those metal uprights. Don't those uprights block most of the opening in the bottles?

 

[remilard]

The idea is that you put clean bottles in the diswasher on the "sanitize" setting and heat sanitize them. Water doesn't need to get inside.

 

[passedpawn]

I have had a few people tell me they do this, but I am really wondering how much water/cleaning solution even gets into the bottles when they are on those metal uprights. Don't those uprights block most of the opening in the bottles?

I always rinse bottles well after use. No yeast sludge left in them. Dishwasher sanitizes. Never had a problem in about 1x10^6 bottles.

 

[giligson]

I always rinse my bottles with water at least X3 at point of use just to make cleaning easier - that way no residue and I can just run in the sanitize DW cycle.

By the way if you really wonder how much water a dishwasher can get into a very tiny space just run a large beer bottle or wine bottle in your dishwasher sideways (not pointing to any spray in particular) - caution, when you take it out it will be full of HOT water.

 

[elpresidente]

I always rinse bottles well after use. No yeast sludge left in them. Dishwasher sanitizes. Never had a problem in about 1x10^6 bottles.

I rinse my bottles very well after opening so they are basically clean like you are talking about. Normally even though I rinse my bottles after drinking I still do an OXYCLEAN soak before I sanitized and rebottle them. Is this overkill? I am basically wondering if since I already rinse them really well to start with do I have to have that extra step of soaking in OXY on bottling day or should I just give quick rinse and let run through the dishwasher on sanitize?

That would be great to cut MORE time off my bottling days!!

 

[Dog House Brew]

I rinse after opening making sure they are clean. Store and when I bottle I run them through the dishwasher w/ heat cycle. I've never had a problem in 40 cases of bottles. I do an Oxy soak when friends bring back bottles though. I'm sure they don't rinse like I do.

 

[passedpawn]

I rinse my bottles very well after opening so they are basically clean like you are talking about. Normally even though I rinse my bottles after drinking I still do an OXYCLEAN soak before I sanitized and rebottle them. Is this overkill? I am basically wondering if since I already rinse them really well to start with do I have to have that extra step of soaking in OXY on bottling day or should I just give quick rinse and let run through the dishwasher on sanitize?

That would be great to cut MORE time off my bottling days!!

After a quick rinse, I put them in open boxes outdoors. No oxyclean!

I do have a dedicated homer bucket out back for bottles with labels. It always has oxyclean solution in it. Only for labeled bottles, though.

 

[northernlad]

I rinse every empty and store upside down in a milk crate. I got a peg rack from work with 49 pegs. I sanitize with the vinator just before I bottle and and drip dry them on the rack pegs.