Building a Bottle Washer

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

[@adrianknox8328]

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

[@Joshua-rk7bl]

I love the simplicity. Cheers

[@TimTrabold]

Thanks, it has really come in handy.

[@mb7a4fmlg]

That's so cool! Great job!

[@TimTrabold]

Thanks!

[@MyShareVideos]

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

[@TimTrabold]

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!

[@benthepainter]

Great idea

[@TimTrabold]

Thanks!

[@brewthatbeer5651]

Oxy or PBW and hot water. Thumbs up.

[@TimTrabold]

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.

[@robertzmigrodski3155]

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.

[@TimTrabold]

Good idea.

[@bsbhomebrew]

🍺👍🏼. DYI is the shit 😀

[@TimTrabold]

Thanks for watching. I love DIY projects like this.

[@kamilfitas9628]

What is the highest water temperature you use with this pump?

[@ItsabitToppey]

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?

[@TimTrabold]

Thanks for the comment. Enough water splashes around it that the crown gets pretty wet. When I rinse them out, it also gets everywhere.

[@francescorossi4338]

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

[@TimTrabold]

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.

[@thirstbuster78]

Well done. Are you still using the samd design? Ever try PBW instead of soap?

[@TimTrabold]

I have used oxiclean. It works. I just used dish soap because it is cheap and for sure doesn't suds much.

[@CC-xh3eo]

Nice build! Did you ever think about adding an immersion heater?

[@TimTrabold]

No I didn't. I use hot water in the sink and don't really run it that long.

[@DiverMikeM]

Great plan but i would have liked to see it run with clear bottles.

[@TimTrabold]

Great idea. Unfortunately, I usually don't use clear and green bottles and give them away.

[@JAIM3STRADA1]

Maybe a rubber band grid.

[@TimTrabold]

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.

[@jmgacousticmusic]

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

[@TimTrabold]

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.

[@jmgacousticmusic]

@@TimTrabold thanks mate, I assumed this would be the case just thought I'd ask

[@JAIM3STRADA1]

Hot water and PBW.

[@TimTrabold]

I might try that. The dollar store oxi is close, but no Sodium Metasilicate. That could be why it is so sudsy. Thanks.

[@user-sw3yg3zt8j]

Большой труд . спасибо

[@larspedersen935]

Any links to EBAY for shopping the parts?? Greetings from Denmark

[@TimTrabold]

Sorry, no. I bought all of my parts from local home improvement stores.

[@GiovanniLeonGajardo]

Hi, How big is the pump you use?

[@TimTrabold]

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

[@michaelsetia5903]

How is the capacity of the pump?

[@TimTrabold]

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.

[@timothycaron9030]

Gallons per hour please

[@timothycaron9030]

Would a pond pump 550 gallons per hour be enough for cleaning

[@tmobile5821]

O M G varegood.

[@TimTrabold]

Thanks!

[@JAIM3STRADA1]

You are loosing water pressure with the legs getting water in them.

[@TimTrabold]

There are caps on the legs.

[@knarfster]

Couldn't you just buy one from Northern Brewer for less?

[@TimTrabold]

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.

[@DISTRIBUTOR-MESIN]

For detail specifications the machine & PRICE Machine Bottle CAN Washer Machine Please Contact VALTEKINDO Thank you

[@TimTrabold]

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.