Bottle suppliers and taking the plunge!

[Rabidbun]

Well, so I'm nesting. A lot. So instead of painting walls (that will be next month when I am really desperate) I have decided to take the plunge into making and bottling some fruit vodkas (etc) and essences from some of the yummy looking recipes on here. Figure they'll be about ready that way by the time the baby is born and not sleeping through the night and also suitable for gifts if I can bear to give em away once made.

I've had a wee look at previous threads, but all around a year plus old, so wondered if I could ask folks where they currently get small ish bottles (clear and coloured) that are also suitable for gifts. Am after ones of around half a litre size I reckon, so that I can use my jam making muslins and strain the mixture into them once the fruit has infused, and also larger ones that won't explode to actually make the vodkas to start with.

Also, what is the concensus on rinsing the bottle after milton solution has been used to sterilize it? Figure I'd do the hot soapy water thing, then milton, as I am sensitive to sulphites and will avoid the wine making tablet method that way.

Thanks all!

[Two_Sheds]

I use vodka bottles

Mother doesn't drink vodka, so she uses wine vinegar bottles etc

[Rabidbun]

Those would indeed work nicely - am dearly wishing I'd saved my old vodka bottles now, the little ones would be ideal too!

But then I've also run out of jars for jam, so it's not been my most organised year!

[rustylady]

what is the concensus on rinsing the bottle after milton solution has been used to sterilize it? Figure I'd do the hot soapy water thing, then milton, as I am sensitive to sulphites and will avoid the wine making tablet method that way.

Thanks all!

You don't rinse after sterilising with Milton. Just leave to drain.

[Rabidbun]

Thanks, not used it before.

[mrswadders]

either save bottles as per previous posts - or I've just ordered some jars/bottle from the jam jar shop, quite reasonable and look pretty, jam jars with all matching lids and labels. I always make hampers of homemade preserves,drinks etc for xmas so like everything to look 'just right'

[Two_Sheds]

I've also run out of jars for jam

I'm not proud: I advertise on Freegle for jars, I also beg them off anyone seen bunging them in the bottle banks

[Rabidbun]

Thanks, will try there for some in a few days then. Will definitely get some bits to add to jars and things for gifts this year!

Definitely going to get some cardboard boxes and start saving for next year's preserving/drinks making as well! Wish I went to bottle banks now too, cause that sounds a great way to get hold of some, but alas most folks around here just bung them in the recycling bins. *makes note to ask neighbours to save some though* Ended up getting a few jars of Tesco value mint sauce and dumping the contents in the meantime, so not quite as desperate as I was!

Amazing how quickly things like this can get a wee bit out of control! *goes to shake her bottles of fruit n vodka while she remembers*

Thanks all!

[Alison]

I've had a wee look at previous threads, but all around a year plus old, so wondered if I could ask folks where they currently get small ish bottles (clear and coloured) that are also suitable for gifts. Am after ones of around half a litre size I reckon, so that I can use my jam making muslins and strain the mixture into them once the fruit has infused, and also larger ones that won't explode to actually make the vodkas to start with.

Like others, I reuse bottles I've had for something else and get family / friends to save theirs too - you get some really nice ones and you can tart them up with ribbons / bows if you want. Re the making query, I use large kilner jars, nice wide necks to get the fruit in / out and they work well. You don't need to worry about exploding though if you're just doing infused spirits, no problem there but if I do elderflower champagne I use plastic bottles so they can expand a bit if I forget to vent as they're fermenting something rotten.

[Rabidbun]

Going to try some car boot sales over summer - might actually manage to get some large kilner jars at decent prices that way! Might try elderflowers next year if I can reliably ID some, the champagne sounds lovely - though I do have this fear of inadvertantly poisoning myself through IDing failure.

[Munch]

Hi

I generally use recycled when possible, OH works at a Golf Club and can get his hands on empty screw top wine bottles all day long, oh and magners bottles that the cheap lids from wilkinsons fit!

However, at xmas we made hampers for families and used this site for lots of our stuff. Jam Jar Shop: buy glass jam jars, bottles, kilner preserve jars and jam making equipment. UK stockist of glass jars, bottles, preserving jars for food, jam making equipment

Hope it helps.... good luck with your baby

P.S try freecycle, quite often someone pops up offering loads of jars and bottles

[Rabidbun]

Thanks again everyone, have joined freecycle now (checking out freegle later), and will be searching through drooling at the bottles later this evening.

[Hilary B]

There are still elderflowers about, we picked ours yesterday! They are opening over a very long interval this year, and I reckon it's going to be as difficult to get berries later on, because most umbels will have green and over-ripe on the same stem!

[Peterpreserving]

When it come to preserving jars there is nothing to compare with genuine Kilner screw top jars which seal every time and last forever you only have to replace the sealing ring or disc. I am still using jars that were made in the 1930's Parts are readily available search Kilner Jars or on E Bay

[merlin]

I don't rinse with water afterwards, don't know what's in the water lol. Before I jar or bottle anything (exept wine beer or brandy) I wash out thoroughly with soa and water and put the glasswarw into a very low oven for 15 mins or so, I have not have anything spoil as yet.