New Little Bottler Question

[Curlie]

As I write, I think this is a daft question ................... but, if in doubt.

Doing my first bottling this morning.
Everything has had the StarSan once over and I put water in the priming bucket to practice with the little bottler.
But I'm getting no flow.
Turned the tap both ways and even tried inbetween.
Now I have checked the connector between the tap and the down tube in the little bottler and the hole is very very small.
There is a ring of plastic half way down the connector and I was going to just punch it out with a BBQ metal skewer but had a stop and think.
There is no going back if this is wrong, so is it ok just to increase the size of this hole or am I doing something else wrong?

As ever thanks in advance,
Curlie

[The-Apprentice]

I am not 100% on this but isnt there like a needle valve on the bottler so that when you press the bottle against it ie upwards the flow will start and then lower the bottle pressure off to stop the flow? If you are doing that and its still not working then i am sure someone will be along soon and explain in more detail the problem.

[GrowlingDogBeer]

As per the Apprentice. At the bottom of the tube on the little bottler is a valve which when the bottom of the bottle pushes against it opens and allows the liquid through.

[Curlie]

Got it sorted guys thanks.

It was the valve at the bottom of the little bottler bit at the commection between that tube and the tap.
Turns out it was jammed with petrolum jelly which I hoked out with some kitchen roll.

All flowing well. Have 36 bottles done and probably another 8 or 10 to go.

Little priming doubt but.

I bulk primed with 160g of granulated sugar, disolving first in abot a littre of the brew. Unfortunately I forgot to stir when all the brew was in the priming bucket.

Just added 4 teaspoons of sugar to the last 8 or 10 bottles worth.

Ah well, yet another lesson

Curlie

[trucker5774]

It sounds like you are bottling a lager. If the sugar solution was in the bucket then you ran the beer in on top of it, it will be pretty well mixed.

[Curlie]

Great new trucker.

Thanks
Curlie

[mickhew]

I know the little hole you're on about, it's kind of half way up the white sleeve. It wouldn't affect the valve part on the end if you knocked it out. But I'm thinking "if the designers thought it was necessary to have it, then I'd leave it". I've got 2 little bottlers, and don't like them, they take too long to fill bottles. I use the plastic rod only, and open/close the tap, is much quicker. Everyone else seems to like them.

[Geezah]

I know what your saying there Mick.
Although its a good invention, i'ts time consuming and if you press the valve down fully it tends to glug air in to the bottles.
I much prefer to do the same as you, or even just siphon straight out the fv's in to the bottles with a peice of 8mm i/d tube.

[Cully]

I'd have to disagree there. Between my bottle tree, rinser and the Bottler, with help from SWAMBO priming the bottles and capping, its only taking us 30 - 40 mins to sanitise, bottle, cap and label 3 crates (36 bottles).

Tip: When you press the valve down to start the fill go full press, then slightly let the pressure off - I find it runs in smoother and faster with little or no glugging