Our gravity bottle fillers are built from-Stainless-Steel. Please note that Stainless-Steel can have different chemical reactions to certain liquids and their acidity, including higher proof spirits. Therefore, when you complete a bottling run, simply do the following:
- Rinse the inside of the tank with very warm/hot water. You can also use a food-grade cleaning solution of your choice (SaniStar, Destainex-LF, One Step Cleanser, etc.). We do not recommend household dishwashing liquid.
- After running cleaning solution through machine (including through nozzles), continue rinsing until the pH of the water at the outlet has reached neutrality (for your water source).
- You can also remove the nozzles by unscrewing them from the tank. This will make drying the inside of the tank easier.
- Dry the inside of the tank with a towel, including the Float Valve and Nozzles. If you have access, a quick blast with compressed air should blow out any remaining water.
- Keep lid off tank overnight after drying to ensure that the tank is completely dry.
PROPER SANITIZING OF MACHINE
- Once machine has been cleaned and any residual cleaner has been removed, circulate high-quality, demineralized, filtered hot water (180°F) for a minimum of 20 minutes.
- Drain Machine.
- Dry machine as detailed above.
It also helps to clean your nozzles thoroughly every few bottling runs or so. This holds especially true for high-sugar content products. Attached is a video showing how to take the nozzles apart for thorough cleaning. Please note that they must be re-assembled in the exact position before screwing back into the bottom side of your bottling machine. Please keep in mind to put the o-rings, washers, etc. in the exact same position as when they were removed, making sure the groove of the Lip Seal faces the tip of the nozzle. The Lip Seal is shown below second to the left.
Your Cru Gravity Fill Bottle Filler is designed to give you years of trouble-free bottling with proper care.