Buying Bottles, What is a fair price? Where to buy? What shapes are good?

[Choubacca]

Bottles are expensive. I understand obviously that the more you buy the less you will pay per bottle. I think I want to go with the 8/8.5 oz 250 ml bottle. Where can I go to get a small order of bottles but still try to get each bottle as close to $1.00 as I can including cap? :emb:

Also, what other designs and shapes have you all used other than say the shapes you see more often in the grocery store? I have been finding that bottles geared more to the syrup crowd tend to fetch a higher price since they know who they're going after but maybe different shaped/types of bottles which are cheaper but are still good? :emb:

Appreciate the help! Thank you so much! :)

[3rdgen.maple]

https://www.bascommaple.com/category/glass/containers/ my main bottle is the gl12dl and the gl8dl. 12 per case and which puts them both under .80 with caps. The more fancy the bottles get the more rediculous the price. I have used the traditional maple leaf, bears, santa clause the list goes on but these are the ones I sell the most of. people like the price better since they are cheaper and less markup to cover glass prices.

[maple flats]

I also buy most bottles from Bascom, but not this time of year. I go to their open house, (the last Fri-SAt in April this year) and buy off the clearance section. My glass styles change somewhat from year to year but I usually get enough glass at 1/3 to 3/4 off regular to go the next season. With this said, I still do far more plastic than glas and I do buy some current fancy glass but the bulk of my glass is alway what was on clearance or over stock the previous post season. I didn't even go last year for the first time in few years but I have most if not all of my glass I'll need until either their open house or some body else's. We have been thinking of going to a different one for a change. Maybe Leader, or Goodrich, or Lapierre, or CDL. Don't know yet. Which ever we do we will only go to one such trip because at that time my blueberry field start screaming for my attention. My guess is that they all might run a clearance that time of year.

[Choubacca]

Thanks so much for the input and help guys. I'm still starting out so I'm just trying to make a few gallons this year and just getting some bottles to start out.

Do you all have any ideas on how to get recycled bottles? Bottles that are in good shape but can be reused again?

[Choubacca]

Hmm, I have been able to find Bascom, but I can't seem to find the sites for Goodricih, Lapierre, or CDL. Could you link them please? Thank you again!

[BryanEx]

Bottles that are in good shape but can be reused again?
Not recommended and against legislation in many areas. If you are looking at cheap, plastic is the way to go or "mason" jars for glass.

[Choubacca]

Thanks for the tip Bryan. I just bought 24 bottles from Bascom. The goal will be to fill all 24 this year.

Shame though, it would be cool to be able to do the recycling bottle thing to encourage recycling, reducing our use of materials, in an overall message to reengage with our environment more.

[3rdgen.maple]

If its for your own personal use you can use your recylced glass. We reuse our mason jars over and over for ourselves. If you sell it its a no no.

[BryanEx]

Shame though, it would be cool to be able to do the recycling bottle thing to encourage recycling, reducing our use of materials, in an overall message to reengage with our environment more.
You can go that route... just not with commercial sales. I will often re-use bottles for family and friends but be sure to boil the bottles in water before use and always replace the caps.

Another way of keeping packaging costs down is to check out the clearance items from your local manufacturer or distributor. Some great deals can be had on bottles that don't sell all that well.

- Bryan

[maple flats]

To recycle bottles for sale to the consumer you need a certified bottle washer and sanitiser. Many dairy's (milk in glass) do it but you nor I could never afford the equipment.

[morningstarfarm]

people are funny....a few years ago I changed to glass bottles and my customers freaked....they insisted that I go back to mason jars..it has that "country homemade" feeling. so who was I to argue, at 8 bucks a dozen for quarts it is cheaper for me
:D

[Choubacca]

How much would that certified washer and sanitizer cost? Cuz it could be worth it.

[Snow Hill Farm]

Check out http://www.specialtybottle.com I have had really good luck with them for the last 3 years. They have a wide range of prices, styles, etc. Shipping is a little high becuse they are on the west coast. If you go over 120 bottles the prices get lower. If you call them you actually get a person on the phone and they speak clear english too! Good Luck!

[Choubacca]

I was looking at specialty bottle before making the post here, but was frustrated with their "small order" costs and high shipping costs.

[maplwrks]

When I was a young boy, producing the amount of syrup that you will be producing---I used canning jars. $7 for a case of quarts isn't going to break you and you can reuse them!

[cncaboose]

Fillmore Container in Lancaster, PA has a good assortment of reasonably priced plain glass bottles. www.fillmorecontainer.com I upgraded to printed glass this year from Artisan Printing of Vermont. Really nice glass state jugs. www.apofvt.com For small orders the shipping gets really high on any glass.

[skillet]

we pay 11$ for 12 12.5 ounce glass bottle with caps. We buy them from a local hardware store. The guy who owns it is big time into the maple syrup. If i recall i think they have about 15000 taps, they sell mostly bulk. He gets the bottles from leader evap. The glass bottles look very good and it looks like you get more syrup than you really do;).The plastic bottles are more than glass here in nw pa.

[hepocole]

where is this hardware store? i am in nw pa also and am looking for bottles. Thanks.

[skillet]

wattsburgh pa

[hepocole]

hey thanks! one quick question, a little off subject. i have just been making maple syrup here at home family and friends. my problem is, is when i'm finishing the syrup on the stove and pour into bottles i get these granuals at the bottom of all my bottles. pour through cheesecloth, doesn't seem to help. any other suggestions. thanks.

[skillet]

when you go to the hardware store buy a hydrometer. Get the syrup to the correct brix. Also get a felt cone filter and a few pre filters. They sell all of that stuff. Sounds like you are getting more sand when cooking on the stove. Filter it once you get to the correct brix and then reheat and keep the temp of the syrup under 200 when bottling. it helps to also have a thermometer that reads in tenths.

[Grease05]

Over here in Wisconsin Maple Hollow sells quart glass bottles for 9 dollars a dozen. Maplehollow.com

[happy thoughts]

I have no idea what bottles cost but reading this thread just made me realize what good sense a small producer's co-op would make. Even $9/dz seems expensive to me and you might be able to do a lot better than the local hardware store.

You guys in NW PA should get together and see if you can find others like you that might be interested in going in together next year and buying a large quantity of bottles at a bulk rate.

Just a thought while watching sap boil:)