quadmx08

Recipes 

I also rinse right away as well and shake with hot water to get rid of all the yeast settlement. I have a bottle tree with one of those press down pump nozzles (for a lack of better wording). I keep sanitizer in it at all times and use it before I put a bottle on the tree. I know that I should pay attention to my ph levels,but I just try to change it often. Should I be using something like pbw instead or is this overkill? I feel like an extra pump doesn't take any effort and can't hurt as long as the sanitizer is still good.

lunker325

Recipes 

I rinse the bottles as soon as I pour them, then put them into the sink strainer upside down to dry overnight. The next morning the inside is dry, so I then put them into six pack carriers, again upside down until the next bottling day. This way they dry completely and nothing can get in there while they wait for the next delicious batch.

dandog2500

Recipes 

Sorry to resurrect an old thread.

Im a new brewer and i went around to some local packies today and salvaged a bunch of bottles. I'm kinda grossed out that they were used and handled by so many people. What should i use to make sure i absolutely murder all potential contaminants? Of course this is prior to sanitizing, but i want to make sure i clean the heck out of these things. I don't know if someones disease or DNA is still on them. Bleach & hot water?

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"You know...you're going to want to keep the cat away from the fermenter..." - My LHBS' obvious advice

rifraf

Recipes 

To start. I'd put a bottle brush in a power drill and use that to really scrub the inside to make sure there isn't anything crusted.

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You have to grow old, you don't have to grow up.

dandog2500

Recipes 

Soaked them all in oxy clean, added some bleach let em sit for about 3 hours. then used my brush and vigorously scrubbed them. Lastly I put them in the dish washer on high heat sanitize and heat dry. After those are done ill sanitize before i bottle them. Think i got rid of all the Avian Flu, SARS and H1N1?

__________________
"You know...you're going to want to keep the cat away from the fermenter..." - My LHBS' obvious advice

rifraf

Recipes 

I think so, as long as there is no gunk on the inside!

__________________
You have to grow old, you don't have to grow up.

Sloobie

Recipes 

I've been soaking mine in bleach water, rinsing them thoroughly, and then throwing them into the dishwasher. I set them upside down on the pegs and run it without any soap. After they've gone through a heated dry they come out ready to bottle. I just keep them all upside down and take them from the rack as I fill. I don't use any sanitizing solution.

I was wondering if there are any drawbacks to this method? I don't think bleach should leave any residue if rinsed properly? eh? correct me if I'm wrong...

rifraf

Recipes 

If your dishwasher doesn't sanitize them with heat, then you may be potentially introducing bacteria from the water into your bottles. It's probably not a huge deal, the beer you're putting in has alcohol in it and tons of viable yeast that is going to get busy on the priming sugar. Check some of your bottles for a ring of gunk on the inside at the beer line, as that can be an indication.

__________________
You have to grow old, you don't have to grow up.

Sloobie

Recipes 

I just checked a batch which is approaching 2 weeks in bottles; there is no evidence of bacteria buildup or any ring at the fill line. My dishwasher spends about an hour doing a pretty intense heated dry, and they come out too hot to touch (not to mention -- dry). I actually have to allow 10-20 minutes for them to cool before I even open it. I think this method has proven a decent alternative to rinse-free sanitizer.

TarheelBrew13

Recipes 

Can't agree with this more. As far as cleaning your bottles there are tons of ways. I soak mine in a chlorine solution but my buddy uses the sanitize feature on his dishwasher and sort of autoclaves them. You don't need a bottle brush in my opinion.