Random infected bottles

[cs2to4]

The last couple of batches that I’ve bottled have been randomly infected (gushers, along with a very dry finish); maybe 75% infected, 25% not). I soaked all bottles in Oxyclean for 20-30 minutes, rinsed with tap water, then soaked in Iodophor for around 5 minutes. Appropriate concentrations were used. If it was something infected in the bottling line, all would have been infected, thus me wondering why individual bottles are/aren’t infected. I’m wondering if taking a bottle brush on a drill to each bottle after their soak in Oxyclean would take care of the issue... Any thoughts/opinions? Thanks.

 

[Miraculix]

Depends if you got something sticking to the bottles or not. If solid material sticks to the bottle, soaking might not kill everything inside of it.

 

[Beernik]

I’ve had a similar problem in the past. Mine wasn’t 75% infected but it was random bottles. For sanitizer to work the surface has to be visibly clean.

After you pour a bottle, rinse it and hold it up to the light. If it has a speck of crud in it, scrub it with your bottle brush. It it doesn’t come off, toss the bottle. Rerun the inspection procedure on your next bottling day.

 

[kh54s10]

I too say that it was due to not getting the bottles fully clean. Rinse your bottles out right after pouring. Use a bottle brush if you need to. You shouldn't need to resort to a drill. Inspect for stuck on spots.

On bottling day, inspect again before filling them, any suspect bottles - set aside to clean again. I bring out more bottles than I need. Any that are suspect get put aside and cleaned after the bottling session is done. Then they go back in storage waiting for the next beer.

 

[RPh_Guy]

Soaking and even using a bottle brush doesn't always remove residue.

Shine a LED flashlight through the bottle and look at it from the opposite side. This will reveal absolutely every fingerprint, water spot, glass imperfection, and any yeast/kräusen residue inside.

Holding it up to the light doesn't really work. I will post photos if anyone disagrees.

Don't do this unless you're sure to want to put work into cleaning your bottles, or if you can live with using dirty bottles, because it's the equivalent of using a blacklight in a hotel room. It reveals everything.

 

[kh54s10]

Soaking and even using a bottle brush doesn't always remove residue.

Shine a LED flashlight through the bottle and look at it from the opposite side. This will reveal absolutely every fingerprint, water spot, glass imperfection, and any yeast/kräusen residue inside.

Holding it up to the light doesn't really work. I will post photos if anyone disagrees.

Don't do this unless you're sure to want to put work into cleaning your bottles, or if you can live with using dirty bottles, because it's the equivalent of using a blacklight in a hotel room. It reveals everything.

The stronger the light the better, but if it is so strong you need to wear sunglasses, you are better off with less light!

 

[RPh_Guy]

The stronger the light the better, but if it is so strong you need to wear sunglasses, you are better off with less light!

Haha, true.

 

[ApolloSimcoe]

Anyone still bake their bottles? That kills everything