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I have had some infection issues with some bottles of recent batches. It is interesting that it only seems to affect some bottles, and not all.
That made me think the problem could be with the bottling process, rather than with the fermenter etc.
I dismantle my taps and thoroughly clean and sanitise them before storing, as I do my fermenters, and sanitise again before each brew, and before each bottling session, so I don't think I have an issue there.
As I was getting ready to bottle today, I had a close look at the little bottler end, and realised there is a small rubber washer at the end of it. To my surprise, it was gunked up with old beer / yeast / hop etc residue, despite my thinking I had cleaned it each use.
I have now dismantled it, cleaned it, and sanitised it, so I am hopeful it will solve my problem.
For those interested, here are two pics, one with the washer in place, and one with it removed.

Edit: better pics

Yeah, they're tricky to keep clean. The biggest problem I had was with a Hoegaarden clone I did; the damn thing kept getting clogged with corriander seeds lol. So anyway, I clean it pretty thoroughly, but I've never pulled it apart before. Does the blue bit come off the white bit easily?

rwh wrote:Yeah, they're tricky to keep clean. The biggest problem I had was with a Hoegaarden clone I did; the damn thing kept getting clogged with corriander seeds lol. So anyway, I clean it pretty thoroughly, but I've never pulled it apart before. Does the blue bit come off the white bit easily?

All mine (3 of them) came off easily......2 now, gave one to Liz E.

Cheers

Boonie

I dropped my spring down the sink when I was cleaning mine, hint is, dont clean them over the sink without a plug..

rwh wrote:Does the blue bit come off the white bit easily?

Yeah, easy as, they just pull apart. They are only a press fit.

Boonie wrote: All mine (3 of them) came off easily......2 now, gave one to Liz E.

Cheers

Boonie

And it still works a treat thanks Boonie! But warra48 has got me slightly paranoid now so it'll come in for some extra cleaning treatment next bottling.

i wish my camera took great macro pics

I checked mine today and it didn't have a spring!!!! Was brand new with a Cooper's Brew kit. Never apart before..

That would explain the drips between bottles.

My bottler in the Coopers kit never had a spring either and the one I got with a Brigalow Kit, the end of the bottler actually came off and beer pissed out everywhere, quick action was taken to turn the tap off.

The new one from HBS is good as gold.........

I have my original lil bottler from 96 ( i think thats when i first brewed..)

It doesnt have a spring and does drip, sometimes even runs between bottles (when i bottle). I have a jug underneath it to catch it and then quaff it when i am finished.

No wastage in the Angas Creek Brewery!

Sorry Doc but I`ve got you there- I`m still using the original lil bottler from my first brew on 27/12/`90.
To fill the 6 litre bottles I just put an extension on it.

ryan wrote: I`m still using the original lil bottler from my first brew on 27/12/`90.

Well we all know what Santa brought you back in 1990??

Suprised it took you 2 days before doing a brew..

He was prolly waitin' for the Christmas day hangover to clear up a little.

Cheers,
Greg

Both of the 2 posts above are 100% correct

they arent expensive you know....if it hasnt got a spring.. get another one... saves the mess..

There`s nothing wrong with mine, it doesn`t have a spring and doesn`t leak, Not bad for something that`s had 17 years of service and cost about $1.50.

James L wrote:they arent expensive you know....if it hasnt got a spring.. get another one... saves the mess..

No mess and no wastage......