Bottling wand

[Martin O]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a reliable bottling wand? The ones I have tried all seem to leak.

Thanks

 

[Keruso]

I bought mine from my local homebrew store, I did notice that after a few bottles they start to drip, this is because particles of hops and other debris will hamper the ability of the valve to shut properly, so it’s not a problem with the wand itself it’s the job it’s doing will eventually cause a drip. Unless you have super clear beer you’re always going to get some drips.

 

[DavidDetroit]

I haven't seen any yet to recommend. The SS ones might be too large--there are mixed reviews. I would be willing to pay more for a wand that doesn't drip.

I've found all plastic wands to be the same as @Keruso mentioned. If you can manage it, bottle on a tray or some easily cleanable surface and have a bowl to hold the wand tip over when you switch out each bottle. I also keep a spare at the ready just in case. The waste should be minor and just bothersome. It's what I've observed with bottling wands on the cheaper side.

 

[Martin O]

Thanks for your replies, so it seems to be pretty standard to have a drip I thought it was just the wand I used. I have started putting a pint glass in bowl to try capture drips so at least i get an early sample.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Thanks for your replies, so it seems to be pretty standard to have a drip I thought it was just the wand I used.

I only use my little bottler (wand) for wine so no debris to clog it and it still drips a little between bottles, in my case its the wine running down the outside of the tube as i move to to the next bottle (i use mine on the end of a syphon tube as i don't have a tap on the FV)

 

[Keruso]

Thanks for your replies, so it seems to be pretty standard to have a drip I thought it was just the wand I used. I have started putting a pint glass in bowl to try capture drips so at least i get an early sample.

Hi yes it is common to have drips every time you bottle, you need to put a tray or similar to catch the drips but there’s nothing wrong with the wand. Give it a good clean after use each time.

 

[Benfleet Brewery]

They drip even if they don’t leak. Theres beer up the length of the wand after filling every bottle. Try dipping a dry wand into a full bottle of beer then pulling it out. It’ll be dripping :)
As per the posts above, just stick a tray or something underneath.

 

[Hoppyland]

Get one with a spring in the tip so that the valve seals more tightly. Keep it clean, don't bottle your beer until the particulates have settled out and drips should be minimal in my experience.

 

[Llamaman]

I only had one that didn’t drip... but it broke. *sigh*

My least drippy one I put the washing up bowl beneath. I also put a couple of sheets of kitchen towel in the bowl so the drips don’t splash over the kitchen cupboards.
If you work reasonably quickly (ie have all your bottles ready) the amount lost is pretty small (I reckon less than 100ml for a 10 litre batch).

Catching the drips in a glass is a nice idea. I’ll give it a try.

 

[Victor Churchill]

I used to find more drippage (?) when I used a wand on the end of a polythene tube; now I attach the wand direct to the tap on my bottling bucket and offer the bottles up to the wand (as opposed to dropping the wand tube into each bottle) I get less drips.

What I do find, though, which is a bit of a pain, is that the response of the wand is non linear as you press the spring loaded tip down to the bottom of the bottle; if I press it right down the flow shuts off - I have to put the wand down to just touching the base of the bottle and then a few mm further to get the optimum flow. Push the wand too far and the flow decreases. Is this just me and my wand? (One from Wilko, one from my LHBS (sadly no longer in business) ).

 

[Richie_asg1]

Mine has a spring in it and doesn't seem to drip. I keep it in a spare bottle if I need to put it down. Always take it apart to clean - don't loose the pieces!
I find it annoying that after sanitising, assembling, running cold boiled water through it....I have to put it down somewhere ! Still have to figure out something to hold it if I need to - other than a small child.