Bottle rinser

[tonight_we_fly]

Hello, this is just a quick question which I suspect I already know the answer to, but it would be reassuring if anybody with a bit more experience is able to offer a comment.

I'm about to start my second (bottle conditioned) brew shortly, being relatively pleased with how the first one turned out. I'm almost certainly going to purchase a bottle drainer to hang the bottles on after sterilisation (it would be nice to cut down on the number of puddles in the kitchen this time around), and I noticed that it's also possible to purchase a bottle rinser device which fits to the top. Apparently this just needs to be filled with sterilising fluid, and then the bottles are clean after a couple of highly powered flushes.

However, this seems quite a contrast with the fifteen minute soak in sterilising fluid which I gave my bottles last time around, and so I'm wondering just how worthwhile a bottle rinser would actually be? I'm assuming that the clue is in the name (i.e. rinsing rather than sterilising), and that I would still have to seperately sterilise the bottles for a period of time regardless of using this device?

Or would I? I'd be grateful for any comments which the more informed might be able to provide. Thanks.

 

[alanywiseman.]

I really want a bottling tree and rinser. I think your easiest route would be to use a non-rinse sterilising solution in the bottle rinser like star San or saniclean. Made at the right dilution they are non rinse and will make your life easier and bottling faster.

 

[Laurin]

The inventor of starsan said once that it has done most of its job after about 30s that means though keeping the surface wet for the whole time. That shouldn't be a problem though if you rinse cold and its not sitting in the sun etc.

 

[alanywiseman.]

Sorry I never actually answered your question. What I think you would need to do is sterilise the bottle then rinse them using just warm water in the rinser then leave then to dry before bottling :thumb:

 

[Nunfa1]

I use the rinser with videne sreriliser solution, works on contact and is no rinse, although I always rinse as well. It makes the whole bottling process much easier.

 

[Cononthebarber]

I have one of these bottle rinsers/drying racks have used it now for three brews and have washed my bottles with hot soapy water before hand and then rinsed with sterilising fluid using the rack...i also then rinse out again with cold water to get rid of any remaining fluid...no problems so far and makes this whole process much easier and MUCH less messy :)

 

[tonight_we_fly]

Thanks for all of your helpful responses. It sounds like this will be a really useful tool to purchase, but at the same time it won't completely replace all steps of the full sterilising and cleaning process.

Really appreciate the responses, thanks everyone!

 

[Andyhull]

I'll be getting 1 of these.

The process i'll be using is, useing a none rince steriliser sterilise the bottles with it first putting them to one side as they are done.
Then rince the unit out and fill with warm clean water and rince the bottles again but replace with clean water every 10 bottles or so.

I feel i use way too much water in the bottle sanitisation/preperation than i should be, and i mean gallons and gallons of running water, this will solve this problem for me.

I won't be getting a bottle rack just yet as they are huge and take up more room than i have.

Andy

 

[tonight_we_fly]

I won't be getting a bottle rack just yet as they are huge and take up more room than i have.

My bottle rack arrived on Monday. I guess I should have put a bit more thought into this beforehand, but I had no idea how big it was going to be, even when dismantled! At the moment it's still sitting on the kitchen table, until I can find somewhere to hide it away.

Might have to see if it will go under the bed. Otherwise, I might even display it in the living room and pretend it's art...