Detol and knockers

[H0PM0NSTER]

Completely agree with Hoppyland with the recommendation for a bench capper. They do cost more money, but it's money well spent. So much easier than a two handled capper (which I ditched after bottling my first brew) and you don't need to worry about it not working with certain types of bottles because it caps everything.

 

[Dutto]

Lol these are genuine questions man, moneys tight as owt so if i can get away with cheaper methods ide like to know, ta

I'm sure someone else will have suggested it but if money's really tight why not use screw-top fizzy water bottles until things get a bit better. :thumb:

At +/- 17p for a 2 litre bottle from Lidl it's almost worth pouring the water down the drain. :lol:

 

[ravey]

I use 500ml spring water bottles which I scrounge off relatives

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[DoctorMick]

You could try asking if any members have any cappers they are willing to sell in the wanted and for sale forum.

Cheap Knock On Bottle Capper - �£5.35 delivered - 14 hours left - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/0025-557-...330666?hash=item3f2e37872a:g:4hAAAOxyVaBSwEa0


.

I might still have my two handed capper lying around, if I do I'd be happy to give it away. I'll check tonight.

 

[Gunge]

My two-handled capper is so old I bought it from Boots. Go figure. It's still going strong and has yet to meet a bottle it can't handle.

 

[yeastinfection]

Another thing to think about is my first time with my bench capper saved me an age. So much quicker on bottling day that I was actually surprised and disdapointed I got through my 40 bottles so quickly.
I'm now looking forward to my next session with it. Its worth the extra money just on time it saves.

 

[Gunge]

It takes me less than five minutes to apply the caps then squeeze 'em down with my two-handled capper, but I've been using it that long I'm an expert and there's never any casualties! Hell, I'm still using John Smith's pale ale bottles which my ol' man used to bring home from the local WMC in the 70s. I vaguely remember 'trying' to use one of those knock-on cappers around then, I can't believe they're legal.

 

[Cwrw666]

My two-handled capper is so old I bought it from Boots. Go figure. It's still going strong and has yet to meet a bottle it can't handle.

Yeah, I've got one of those too. It's a substantial bit of kit and once adjusted it'll do a wide range of bottles without needing to fiddle with it.

On the subject of cheap sanitising - I just use boiling water. One benefit is that heat penetrates even into scratches in your FV, which chemicals don't. Also kills wild yeasts, which starsan doesn't.

 

[RexBanner]

I might still have my two handed capper lying around, if I do I'd be happy to give it away. I'll check tonight.

Really kind offer DoctorMick but lychfields a bit of a treck lol, you're a dying breed sir.


Whey i'll be leaving detol alone, and yes it appears wilkos do their own for about 2 quid. Just out of curiosity on the bleach front, what ratio of bleach to water do you use?

With regards to cappers, im gonna stay away from knockers, they seem to lead to nout but trouble! The two handed one form amazon as recomended by MickDundee will be the way to go for now and shall look at a bench one 2nd hand later.

Regarding bottles, i love the plastic bottle idea however ive collected 40+ newcastle brown ale, i really wish ide have had tje forethought myself lol.

Big thanks for taking the time out people. Be lucky

 

[Smileyr8]

Just out of curiosity on the bleach front, what ratio of bleach to water do you use?

I have just done quick search as I remebered seeing a guide "Cleaners / Sterilisers Dilution Rates and Uses Guide" I always use thin bleach for bottles and fermenting bins (Oxi & Videne for my Cornies) as do many others on this forum.

 

[Gunge]

I use an extremely dilute solution of El Cheapo bleach (the stuff that's about 30p for two litres) for everything and I swear I haven't ever had anything get infected. Ever.

 

[Pfeffer]

The problem with chlorhexidin (dettol) and bleach is that they have pungent odours. So you will need to rinse with water to get it out. Depending on the quality of water that you are using, you can get pathogens in there by rinsing.

Both are actually superior to no rinse cleaners like sodium percarbonate. But the last one is so effective because you don't need to rinse.

Small numbers of pathogens do not necessarily contaminate your brew; if your brew colonizes faster with good micro organisms you won’t have any issues in 99% of the cases due to the alcohol build up.

The risk lies in slow fermentations where pathogens can easily multiply and spoil your brew.

 

[Hoppyland]

I use an extremely dilute solution of El Cheapo bleach (the stuff that's about 30p for two litres) for everything and I swear I haven't ever had anything get infected. Ever.

Well, there you go - such a wealth of different approaches and techniques.
I do the total opposite to Gunge. I use the bleach undiluted - I reckon it's much more potent that way, and will kill pretty much anything. But I only use a small amount, and then drain and thoroughly rinse.

 

[pms67]

Well, I will mention bleach, as per several of my previous posts!
Yep, I know it divides opinion. But I have no doubt whatever that:
1. It does an extremely effective job of sterilising most things (it will attack metal if left in contact)
2. Rinsing is absolutely essential, but not difficult if done as described above
3. I've been brewing for over 40 years. At first, I tried a bunch of different sterilisers that apparently the "professionals" used. For the last 30 years I've not deviated from bleach. It works. It's cheap. I'm absolutely convinced it does not affect the quality/taste of the beer in the slightest if used properly.

I was recommending it here to someone on a tight budget. But, I use it exclusively myself regardless of cost because it is so effective. I'd have to trawl back through my notes to see when I last had an infected brew. I think it might be the 1980s.

Hopefully you know i was joking mate, im all for saving money (im a Scotsman)
Good to hear its effective 👍

 

[Personal91]

The problem with chlorhexidin (dettol) and bleach is that they have pungent odours. So you will need to rinse with water to get it out. Depending on the quality of water that you are using, you can get pathogens in there by rinsing.

Both are actually superior to no rinse cleaners like sodium percarbonate. But the last one is so effective because you don't need to rinse.

Small numbers of pathogens do not necessarily contaminate your brew; if your brew colonizes faster with good micro organisms you won’t have any issues in 99% of the cases due to the alcohol build up.

The risk lies in slow fermentations where pathogens can easily multiply and spoil your brew.

The odour of the thin bleach is gone once neutralised. Dilute it with water first and then add distilled (white) vinegar

I do not recommend anyone to try that - especially not if they are not in a well ventilated eg outdoor location

 

[braziliain]

If you get your solution right it's fine as a no rinse.

Any more info on this Ravey? Is this a technique that you use?

Thanks

 

[ravey]

Any more info on this Ravey? Is this a technique that you use?

Thanks

Yes, I've used this for a while, have a read of the following:
http://beerliever.com/bleach-no-rinse-sanitiser-home-brewing-beer/


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[Gunge]

See - half a million brews under my belt and no infections. You can't go wrong with bleach, well you can but you'd have to try. Chlorine in small amounts kills people so it has no problem with bacteria. Meanwhile I'm going to try the no-rinse procedure as described. As well as saving time it'll still cost practically nothing - all this parsimony is great fun!

 

[braziliain]

Yes, I've used this for a while, have a read of the following:
http://beerliever.com/bleach-no-rinse-sanitiser-home-brewing-beer/


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Well that looks pretty simple and well suits a Yorkshireman's pocket.

Thanks, ill be giving that a go on my next 1 Gal brew!

 

[Dutto]

Well that looks pretty simple and well suits a Yorkshireman's pocket.
.............

I always thought you all sewed up pockets before wearing anything! :whistle: :whistle: