Building a Bottle Washer
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- In this video I follow the build of my new bottle washer. This is actually an extension of my previous keg washer build (see the other video for this). I used a 1/4 HP Barracuda utility pump that I had purchased from Menards when I had some water issues in my basement last winter. The water problem is fixed and now I have a pump that hopefully isn't going to be used to remove water from my basement any more. I saw online that others have used this same pump as the basis for their keg, carboy and bottle washers, so I thought I would try it too.
I bought the pens I used for bottle nozzles at Dollar Tree. I left the pen point on as a nozzle. Different stores may have different sized pen tubes. Measure before you drill.
I spaced the pipes and the centers of the holes 2 1/2" apart, essentially in squares. This pretty much necessitated bottoming out the pipe that connected the long end of the "T's" on the ends.
I have been asked on which soaps to use with this. I had the best luck with regular dishwasher soap. I tried Palmolive liquid and some Dollar Tree Powder. Both seemed to work well and didn't suds up. I also tried Dollar Tree Oxi cleaner. It was very sudsy. Using my laundry sink ended up being a big advantage. I was able to wash the bottles in soap, drain the sink, then fill it up with clear rinse water and rinse.
Following is a list of the parts I purchased to build this. Since I already had the pump and some of the parts such as pipe and a few fittings I only spend around $20. Had I needed everything I would have spent closer to $30.
Part Bought at Qty Price Totals
1/4 HP Barracuda pump (may get cheaper on Amazon) Menards 1 $55.00 $55.00
3/4"PVC side outlet elbow Menards 4 $1.89 $7.56
3/4" PVC "T" (bought a 10 pack - used 5) Menards 1 $3.99 $3.99
3/4" schedule 40 PVC pipe (10 foot length) Menards 1 $2.28 $2.28
3/4" PVC cap Menards 4 $0.23 $0.92
3/4" PVC to male garden hose adapter Menards 1 $1.53 $1.53
1 1/4" pipe thread to 1 1/4" PVC pipe adapter Menards 1 $0.98 $0.98
1 1/4" to 3/4" pipe thread - PVC bushing adapter Menards 1 $1.49 $1.49
3/4" to 3/4" elbow barbed fitting Menards 1 $1.89 $1.89
Ball point pens for cylinders - 10 pack Dollar Tree 3 $1.00 $3.00
Female Garden Hose end Menards 1 $2.99 $2.99
Quick Setting Epoxy Harbor Freight 2 $1.98 $3.96
Total $85.59
Less Pump $30.59
Miscellaneous
PVC primer and glue ($7.99 for a kit) had
Piece of garden hose had
5/16" drill bit had
I made one of these years ago, and built the same manifold in a milk crate..With a bit of a modification,when you turn the crate up-side down, the bottles stand up-right through the crate squares..Adrian Knox ,,,Ozz home brewer
I love the simplicity. Cheers
Thanks, it has really come in handy.
Great idea
Thanks!
That's so cool! Great job!
Thanks!
Thanks for your nice video and the interesting idea of the pen as sprayer
I think , if you do less pins, maybe 6 or 12, would increase the pressure and flow rate.
With more water flow rate, foaming might can avoid. Best Regards, Michael
Thanks for the comment. With regards to the flow rate, that is not a problem, at all. I could probably easily do 30 or 36 bottles if it would fit the sink. There is more than enough pressure. More than a dishwasher. That pump is POWERFUL! They use the same pump in sumps to pump water 10-20 feet vertically. It has a 1 1/4" fitting on it and the 24 little pen holes probably add up to a 1/2" total. I have seen people do this with pond pumps. I did a test outside with the washer in a tub of water (It is at about 26:30 in this video). It shot 4-5 gallons through the pens, 20 feet in the air and emptied the 5 gallon bucket in under 15 seconds. In reality though, the dishwasher soap probably does most of the work. Cheers!
What is the highest water temperature you use with this pump?
Get a clear plastic box that is the same size as a 24 bottle beer case box. And slip it over the bottles to corraĺl them.
Good idea.
🍺👍🏼. DYI is the shit 😀
Thanks for watching. I love DIY projects like this.
Oxy or PBW and hot water. Thumbs up.
I actually use powered or liquid dishwasher soap and hot water. I found that if I used Oxi (dollar store) that it would suds up too much. Dishwasher soap has de-sudsing agents that don't do that. Thanks for watching.
Nice. I want to build my own, but im wondering how to clean the outaide of the top. I tend to pour my beer into a glass but would be nice to get around the neck of the bottle a bit. Any thoughts?
Thanks for the comment. Enough water splashes around it that the crown gets pretty wet. When I rinse them out, it also gets everywhere.
Great video man, i just have a question. How many litres of water are circulating to wash those 24 bottles? In the end, how many liter per bottle? Thank you
I just add 2 or 3 inches of water to the laundry sink. I would guess maybe 4 gallons or maybe 16 liters. Those are 12 oz bottles (250 ml?) The spray does not fill them as they are upside down and continuously drain.
Well done. Are you still using the samd design? Ever try PBW instead of soap?
I have used oxiclean. It works. I just used dish soap because it is cheap and for sure doesn't suds much.
Maybe a rubber band grid.
I have taken a long strip of Velcro and strapped it around all the bottles. This helps but can be a PITA to get on.
Great plan but i would have liked to see it run with clear bottles.
Great idea. Unfortunately, I usually don't use clear and green bottles and give them away.
Большой труд . спасибо
Hi, How big is the pump you use?
I believe it is 1/4 hp. www.menards.com/main/plumbing/pumps-tanks/utility-sump-pumps/barracuda-reg-1-4-hp-thermoplastic-submersible-utility-pump/91250/p-1444428713624-c-1489153238832.htm
Hot water and PBW.
I might try that. The dollar store oxi is close, but no Sodium Metasilicate. That could be why it is so sudsy. Thanks.
I like the design and planning on building something similar too. I was wondering however is the PVC glue safe to use in this application? Is it food safe? I was thinking maybe food grade silicon instead
Good question. I don't know why it wouldn't be OK for a washer. I have never heard of there being a question. PVC (and the glue used to connect it) is approved for use with potable water. I can't see where there would be a problem.
@@TimTrabold thanks mate, I assumed this would be the case just thought I'd ask
Any links to EBAY for shopping the parts?? Greetings from Denmark
Sorry, no. I bought all of my parts from local home improvement stores.
Nice build!
Did you ever think about adding an immersion heater?
No I didn't. I use hot water in the sink and don't really run it that long.
How is the capacity of the pump?
It is a 1/4 HP Barracuda pump I bought at the Menards Home Improvement Store for $55. You may get it cheaper on Amazon.
Gallons per hour please
Would a pond pump 550 gallons per hour be enough for cleaning
O M G varegood.
Thanks!
You are loosing water pressure with the legs getting water in them.
There are caps on the legs.
Couldn't you just buy one from Northern Brewer for less?
I suppose you could. I would guarantee that the pump they use is nowhere near the power of the 1/4 hp one I used. Plus, I already had the pump so it only cost me for the PVC parts and pieces.
For detail specifications the machine & PRICE Machine Bottle CAN Washer Machine
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VALTEKINDO
Thank you
I don't really have any. I built it from scratch with my own design using a 1/3hp pump I already had. Thanks for watching.