Bottling wands and headspace

[JamesF]

Up until my last couple of brews I've used two lengths of hose with a tap in the middle when bottling. Drop the tube into the bottom of the bottle, open the tap, then lift the tube as the level rises to give about 3/4" headspace in the bottle before shutting off the tap. I've never had problems with this.

Now I've started using a bottling wand which is a heap easier, but obviously once lifted off the bottom of the bottle the valve closes and the entire volume of the wand is lost, giving well over 1" of headspace, probably more than 1 1/4" in my pint bottles.

Is this pretty much par for the course? Or should I be looking to reduce the headspace somehow?

James

[jaroporter]

always found that if you fill the bottle to the rim, then removed the wand, it gives the perfect amount of headpace

[GAZ9053]

always found that if you fill the bottle to the rim, then removed the wand, it gives the perfect amount of headpace

+1 to that.

[JamesF]

So how much headspace would you say that was?

James

[jaroporter]

without checking couldn't give a standard unit, though it'd vary with bottle shape. basically, equivalent to an original brewery packaged beer. shouldn't think a small variation would make any discernible difference to carbonation though.

[JamesF]

I shall have to check what a "normal" commercial bottle fill looks like next time I see one then.

James

[chefgage]

As whats been said above. Just fill it right up to the rim and then lift the wand out. I seem to remember a bit back i measured how many ml was in the bottle using this method but carnt remember the number.