Large PET bottle source?

[slackman99]

I'm looking to increase my AG BIAB batch size from circa 10ltrs in a stove top pot to around 20ltrs as i've realised that the effort to brew is identical :)

I don't like bottling, particularly cleaning so am looking to reduce how many bottles I need to store everything. I currently use PET bottles and having young kids would like to stick with plastic as they are a lot safer and also tend to be pretty cheap.

I'm trying to source some amber PET bottles in larger sizes, 2ltrs and up as I typically drink 4-5 'pints' at a time. Kegland do some 2.5l bottles that look ideal but can only find them in Oz. There's a UK supplier that offers 2l bottles, only by the pallet and I need 10-20 maximum.

Any ideas from anyone?

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Why not buy spring water in 2 or 5 litre bottles and use the water to brew so no waste and store them in a dark place.

 

[slackman99]

The 2ltr pop or fizzy water bottles tend to be very thin so don't seem great for re-use. Is it only light strike that I need to worry about with clear bottles?

 

[Slid]

Supermarket cider comes in coloured 2L PET bottles, Brown are best, but Green, or even clear are OK if you have a dark place to store them.
They are cheap at only £2.50 or so each, and just as a bonus, they contain an alcoholic liquid at the point of purchase.

At one point in the past I had a taste for Stout + Cider and so have bought supermarket cider and drunk it with HB Stout on occasion, over the years.

PET is almost indestructible, just one of the ways we are ruining our biosphere. So, please re-use these containers with home made product, everyone.

 

[Ezza]

I use 2 litre pop bottles cleaned and sanitised makes bottling a doddle.

 

[Slid]

The 2ltr pop or fizzy water bottles tend to be very thin so don't seem great for re-use. Is it only light strike that I need to worry about with clear bottles?

PET is hard to destroy. Light is the issue for clear pop bottles. You could hide them under an old sheet or some other sort of barrier.

 

[slackman99]

Will have a search for cider bottles. Been a long time since I rode that headache wagon so wasn't aware they come in brown bottles

 

[stubrewworx]

Ive (re)used 1.5l 7up pop bottles from poundland, for same reason of usually drinking that amount a time.

 

[slackman99]

Will take a look as I hadn't really considered pop bottles.

 

[scomet]

The 2ltr pop or fizzy water bottles tend to be very thin so don't seem great for re-use.

They are brilliant for re-use and cheap, dont worry about the thinness or companies like Coca-Cola bottlers wouldn't use them, just nip the caps up tight and store in a dark place. You can even pop the top back on and they're good for a couple of days! I learnt this on my last trip to NZ most pubs sell draught take-outs..

 

[slackman99]

Will give them a go. As you say, cheap and we generally have 1 or 2 knocking about by the weekend.

 

[Tim Wilkes]

I use 2 litre pop bottles cleaned and sanitised makes bottling a doddle.

Agreed!

 

[Dazzelknight]

The 2lt green highland spring fizzy. Give them to the kids with a dash of fruit cordial, much more healthier than the usual Tango crap.

 

[Fireside Ales Homebrewery]

Will take a look as I hadn't really considered pop bottles.

For some reason ginger beer tends to come in brown bottles as a standard. Maybe get the kids hooked on that..

 

[An Ankoù]

Make sure you get bottles that contain something fizzy. The lids for fizzy bottles have slots cut in them to release the pressure on opening. Non-fizzy bottles may or may not have these slots and the lid will "blow" off on opening.

 

[An Ankoù]

The 2ltr pop or fizzy water bottles tend to be very thin so don't seem great for re-use. Is it only light strike that I need to worry about with clear bottles?

Yes.
As long as you keep them in the dark, all is well. I use 1 litre Perrier bottles as the (green) plastic is really thick and they can be used time and time again.

Does anyone remember when we used to be able to get Grolsch in 1.5 litre glass, swing-top bottles? They're great for bottling. Sure, drinking the Groslsh can be a bit of a chore, but with a bit of crême de menthe and tabasco it's drinkable.

 

[Fireside Ales Homebrewery]

Does anyone remember when we used to be able to get Grolsch in 1.5 litre glass, swing-top bottles?

My local HB supplier actually sells these by the crate.

 

[Fireside Ales Homebrewery]

Although it looks like he has run out of the actual Grolsch bottles and is selling these 500ml brown swing tops.
Looks like he is selling cases of brown plastic bottles too. Again, 500ml. Not sure this would be useful for you @slackman99
https://www.brewbitz.com/products/coopers-500ml-beer-bottles?_pos=55&_sid=5434e8d5f&_ss=r

 

[An Ankoù]

My local HB supplier actually sells these by the crate.

Are you sure? I mean the 1500 ml ones, not the 440s.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Flip-Top...040352&hash=item3438d7a5ef:g:8aEAAOSwQaBf5OPR
I've got a dozen of these. Must press them back into use.

 

[Flan]

Just a quick question about the light. Is it natural light, sunlight, to keep away from or is it household lighting too. I brew in my cellar so very little natural light gets in but i have some bright led lighting down there should i be wary of storing in this type of lighting too.