Bottle Brush Recommendation Please

[Petrolhead]

I try to rinse my bottles as soon as they are finished, the missus also runs them through the dishwasher if she sees them lying about, god bless her, and then I store them clean so they don’t need much before bottling.

However, I get the odd dirty bottle, I use 500ml one‘s, and clean them by blasting the inside with a bottle brush attached to a bat drill. This works a treat on the sides but struggles on the bottom, especially in the corner where dome meets wall, as all the brushes I find do not point downwards much.

If anyone has good brush sugggestions or any bottle cleaning tips they would be appreciated.

 

[Smoey]

I try to rinse my bottles as soon as they are finished, the missus also runs them through the dishwasher if she sees them lying about, god bless her, and then I store them clean so they don’t need much before bottling.

However, I get the odd dirty bottle, I use 500ml one‘s, and clean them by blasting the inside with a bottle brush attached to a bat drill. This works a treat on the sides but struggles on the bottom, especially in the corner where dome meets wall, as all the brushes I find do not point downwards much.

If anyone has good brush sugggestions or any bottle cleaning tips they would be appreciated.

Something I used to use to get that horrible dried on gunk off was dried rice in a small amount of soapy solution but the rice was a nightmare to get out. But, the thing I use now instead is about 500 (a third of a pot) 4.5mm (.177) steel bbs. I still wet em up with a few table spoons of soapy water and just swish em & swirl em around and they really do the business. Plus they're reusable and last ages if you dry em off once you're done. I use them in bottles, demijohns, plastic 5L flagons - you can even clean inside the hollow handle. They're so smooth you don't need to worry about abrasion and scratches, they just knock whatever it is off. It does make hell of a noise mind.

 

[user 18729]

I use a cheep brush and use my drill, loads easier than scrubbing

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I use something like this but mine was a lot cheaper

Beer Bottle Wine Washer Bottle Cleaner drill attachment microfibre homebrew brew

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beer-Bot...392084?hash=item3fe1edb6d4:g:A7IAAOSw4shX2Pll

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I'm rinsing my glass wine and 500ml plastic stout bottles out, as soon as empty. The latter really get caked in the dimples at the bottom. To rinse them, I empty out the last of any liquid, put 1/2" of water in the bottom, then shake really vigorously. That clears the sediment in the bottom, then a few more rinses to get them clean before storing.

When its time to use them, I rinse again, rinse with sanitiser, drain then use.

I us 5gall FV's. These I hose out with the garden hose outside, to get the worst out, followed by a wipe with water and a J-cloth, maybe Oxyclean and a J-cloth, another final rinse, then a sanitiser rinse.

I have not so far, ever needed to use a brush.

 

[Petrolhead]

Thanks @Smoey for a great tip. I liked the idea and immediately went to Amazon and bought 100 stainless steel, 4mm ball bearings in a nice glass jar with lid. Amazingly delivered same day. All for £2 and something.

I am bottling tomorrow so I gave all my clean bottles a quick rinse in preparation for the Starsan blast tomorrow and set aside the grubby ones. These ranged from very little grime to a cure for something.

Amazing, quick swish around as if it is the last pint of the night, a rinse and the bottle was like new. Really don’t need a reason for a bottle brush.

As I said I keep my bottles clean from the last gulp but occasionally a few slip through the net so I am also going to buy some of those plastic bottle caps and seal the bottle as it leaves the dishwasher.

 

[Dutto]

Bike spoke. tie-wraps, bit of chamois leather and a drill.

It removes every last bit of mould, yeast or sanitiser deposits from 500ml and 650ml bottles.

 

[Smoey]

Glad to be of service @Petrolhead . The first time I did it, it was a real 'eureka moment'.
"... a cure for something" made me chuckle - been there.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

As I said I keep my bottles clean from the last gulp but occasionally a few slip through the net so I am also going to buy some of those plastic bottle caps and seal the bottle as it leaves the dishwasher.

Don't put your plastic bottles in a dishwasher, or in too hot water, they will melt.

 

[Petrolhead]

Best thing for them, oops! did I type that out loud.....

 

[Clint]

As I know my stock of empties is less than sparkling my next idea is to use a big tub,some of that Young's cleaner that smells like bleach and give them a good soak for a few days..

 

[neilb]

But, the thing I use now instead is about 500 (a third of a pot) 4.5mm (.177) steel bbs. I still wet em up with a few table spoons of soapy water and just swish em & swirl em around and they really do the business. Plus they're reusable and last ages if you dry em off once you're done. I use them in bottles, demijohns, plastic 5L flagons - you can even clean inside the hollow handle. They're so smooth you don't need to worry about abrasion and scratches, they just knock whatever it is off. It does make hell of a noise mind.

Would these work on plastic bottles?

 

[Petrolhead]

@Clint try some ball bearings they really work in seconds. Why not order today for delivery tomoz and soak bottles until they arrive.

@neilb they will work fine but the swirl technique may not work on the bottom if it has those indent shapes. If the bottom is round perfect.

 

[neilb]

@neilb they will work fine but the swirl technique may not work on the bottom if it has those indent shapes. If the bottom is round perfect.

Yeah true, thanks mate

 

[UKSkydiver]

I think you can get copper bbs that are used to clean decanters or some such. Prob eight times more expensive mind.

 

[Deathstar]

I’ve been using Chemclean recently, mix up a batch and pour into the bottle to about an inch. Then leave for a few days. I then use my bottle rinser, that seems to work for me. I have a bottle brush, but it’s too thick to get in the bottle,