Are my bottles still steril enough after a week?

[Carrollyn]

Yeah, I went back and read that folks were just using the heat from the dishwasher for sanitizing, not cleaning. But honestly, running the dishwasher through its whole hour plus cycle to sanitize bottles that can get recontaminated by a misplaced finger?

 

[unionrdr]

This is why I use Starsan in a vinator & bottle tree. I sanitize right before filling. No worries then.

 

[MoldMan]

Sounds like a lot of work. I batch sanitize my bottles after a thorough cleaning and store them upside down or covered loosely with aluminum foil. At bottling time I dip the mouth in Starsan or wipe the mouth with a clean paper towel soaked in Starsan and fill as normal. I’ve used bottles up to 6 months from the day I sanitized this way with no issues. Storing as long as 1-1/2 years with no contamination. As long as nothing gets in the bottles, once you clean and sanitize you should be all set. Do what you feel is right.

 

[freisste]

I’ve used bottles up to 6 months from the day I sanitized this way with no issues. Storing as long as 1-1/2 years with no contamination. As long as nothing gets in the bottles, once you clean and sanitize you should be all set. Do what you feel is right.

This is true, however I wouldn't recommend any extended time between sanitizing and filling bottles. Yes, once sanitized bottles stay sanitized until contaminated. But contamination is easy and undetectable. I would recommend sanitizing immediately before liking bottles.

I COULD drive with my eyes closed. The longer I keep them closed the more likely I'll have an issue.

 

[unionrdr]

Using the vinator & bottle tree is actually quick & easy. The bottle tree has a smaller footprint than having bottles all over the counter,floor,etc. footprint is about 2 square feet. Sanitize,onto tree,then start filling. I've actually gotten pretty quick with my setup for bottling day. The bench capper also makes things quicker & easier.

 

[MoldMan]

If you can't transfer cleanly to a bottling bucket or you can not handle your equipment in a clean manner then nothing you do to your bottles matters anyways. Like I said, do what you feel comfortable with. I've never had an issue. K.I.S.S. method works well for me. Clean what needs to be cleaned, sanitize, and keep your bottles covered or upside down. Dust and yeast don't fall up or into a covered vessel. If you clean properly then there is no food for yeast or contaminates to grow. If you sanitize properly then you've knocked the contaminate levels to an acceptable level. Like I've said I've stored beer in bottles this way for up to 1-1/2 years with no issues. But I am comfortable with my process and do not feel a need to change. YMMV

 

[RMS]

Well I must say that I have enjoyed all the suggestions! Though one issue that was mentioned was the No Rinse / Jet Dry liquid and I just turned the dial to off and I plugged the hole with a clean ear plug though that did fall out during the cycle. Not sure if any leaked out but like I mentioned my batch of beer came out good.

I am glad to also hear that you cannot get really sick from a mild contamination and that is good to know; I always listen for the carbonation fizz when I open them just too be sure its good!