Bottle cleaning mishap

[ProfessorWoland]

I started cleaning and sanitising my 500ml PET bottles so everything is done and ready to go for bottling fat next week.

To be extra clean I thought I'd soak the bottles in sanitiser over night. Then I thought to pour in boiling water rather than just hot from the tap.

Now some of my bottles have warped necks at strange angles and I had to throw two out as their mouths were that warped I couldn't get caps on them.

 

[ShaineT]

Sorry to hear, I learn many good lessons by unfortunate mishaps. Hi there PW, wish I could visit Scotland someday!
Most no-rinse sanitizers only need a 2 to 5 minute contact time, the idea is to be sanitary rather than sterile. Reducing the microbe count to a small number then your yeast out competes the remaining few. No need for overkill on sanitization just doing what is recommended for the product you use is enough. BTW, the only time I use boiling water on equipment is when I'm canning harvested yeast. Cheers

 

[ProfessorWoland]

I think my n00bish enthusiasm made me go overboard.

 

[RobInOre]

An old gentleman once told me "Some is good, more is better, and too much is just right!"

I guess that doesn't apply here. Thanks for sharing. It will help others avoid similar pitfalls.

 

[user 144271]

Sorry to hear about that but lets us see some of the art

 

[unionrdr]

This is why I've always said not to use hot water on PET bottles. Using a no rinse wet sanitizer like Starsan negates the need for a hot rinse which PET isn't designed for.

 

[ProfessorWoland]

This is why I've always said not to use hot water on PET bottles. Using a no rinse wet sanitizer like Starsan negates the need for a hot rinse which PET isn't designed for.

I was using VWP steriliser so there was no need for me. I was just being super cautious

 

[user 144271]

Don't worry about it Union is just getting his post count up

 

[unionrdr]

Who me??? I think I'm a little past that at this point...guess I'm just a post 'ho... But hot water & PET are not good bed fellows.

 

[user 144271]

I agree about the hot water and was just having a little fun.
You better be careful because I will catch your post count in another 10 years or so.

 

[IslandLizard]

Sorry to hear about the mishap.

If you're bottling next week, sanitizing now would be too early, as they can pick up new bugs during that idle time. Good to have them cleaned, but do sanitize right before bottling. As ShaineT said, a few minutes contact time (submerge them in a bucket/bin with your sanitizer) is then all it needs. Don't forget to sanitize the caps too.

While we are on the topic, what sanitizer are you using?
OK, just saw you're using "VWP cleaner and steriliser." Knowing you're in Scotland, you may not have easy access to what we take for granted in the US. Many of us swear by StarSan (Five Star's flagship sanitizer) for its easy use, long lasting working solution, and no rinse contact sanitation properties. The foam being as effective as the solution itself.

 

[quincy07]

I made the mistake of putting my Mr Beer PET bottles in the dishwasher on the "Sani" setting. I opened it up after the cycle to find all 8 of them were ruined w crooked necks and oblong mouths. Went and bought a case of glass bottles from my LHBS for like $12 and have been stocking up on bottles ever since for my next batch that is currently fermenting.

 

[ProfessorWoland]

Sorry to hear about the mishap.

If you're bottling next week, sanitizing now would be too early, as they can pick up new bugs during that idle time. Good to have them cleaned, but do sanitize right before bottling. As ShaineT said, a few minutes contact time (submerge them in a bucket/bin with your sanitizer) is then all it needs. Don't forget to sanitize the caps too.

While we are on the topic, what sanitizer are you using?
OK, just saw you're using "VWP cleaner and steriliser." Knowing you're in Scotland, you may not have easy access to what we take for granted in the US. Many of us swear by StarSan (Five Star's flagship sanitizer) for its easy use, long lasting working solution, and no rinse contact sanitation properties. The foam being as effective as the solution itself.

Cheers for the heads up! I thought if I sterilised now and capped with sanitised caps the bottles they would be ok.

I'll give them a quick sterilisation and rinse on bottle day. I'll also need to be careful about some of the warped mouths and make sure the caps fit tightly and as some threads could be warped.

I always seen Starsan being mentioned but it I've been using VWP as the woman who runs my LHB. Store recommend it on my first visit. I'll look and see if they have that Starsan stuff.

 

[IslandLizard]

Cheers for the heads up! I thought if I sterilised now and capped with sanitised caps the bottles they would be ok.

I'll give them a quick sterilisation and rinse on bottle day. I'll also need to be careful about some of the warped mouths and make sure the caps fit tightly and as some threads could be warped.

I always seen Starsan being mentioned but it I've been using VWP as the woman who runs my LHB. Store recommend it on my first visit. I'll look and see if they have that Starsan stuff.

Yes, if you sanitized the bottles and caps and then capped the bottles it should remain sanitized inside. The outside is a different story, and something could get on or in the threads, which means that area needs to be resanitized before bottling.

When I see the word "sterilization" mentioned in a cleaner the product starts losing its credibility. There's a big difference between sanitation and sterilization, the latter which can only be achieved by special methods, such as autoclaving, heating past 250°F (oven) for a certain length of time, etc.

In regular brewing we rarely need sterilization, but do need good and thorough sanitation practices, or the bugs will outcompete the yeast at some point.

If you can get a bottle of Starsan, one single oz in 5 US gallons of distilled (or RO) could last you almost forever, if you keep the pH at 3.0 or below.

 

[ShaineT]

I agree about the hot water and was just having a little fun.
You better be careful because I will catch your post count in another 10 years or so.

Heh! XD
I was pretty sure the OP got the hint that the boiling water did the damage. I'd like to see pics as well. Hot tap water should not be a problem.

 

[Jobe5217]

Do PET bottles work for beer? What be the reason for choosing that over glass?

 

[unionrdr]

Cooper's,Munton's & Mr Beer all use PET bottles. lighter for shipping & do the job for the average amount of time the beer will actually stay in the bottles.