Bottle cleaning question

[phil74501]

Would it be okay to sanitize bottles now, and then leave them sitting for awhile, maybe months, before using them for bottling? I have a bottling tree to hang them on. Or would I need to sanitize them again before bottling?

 

[brewmax25]

You should sanitize them before bottling again.

Your best move is to clean them thoroughly now, bypass sanitizing before storage and then sanitize before you bottle.

 

[IslandLizard]

After cleaning I do sanitize them with Starsan.

I then drain the Starsan (leaving some foam behind, and put little Starsaned aluminum foil caps on them, so nothing can get inside. They go in a box with a lid, so again no dust or stuff can get in during storage. That way they stay clean and sanitized.

When ready to bottle, I spray Starsan on the Aluminum caps, remove them and Starsan the necks by dipping the bottles upside down in a bucket with Starsan. That's been working fine.

 

[brewmax25]

If it's been workin fine then go with it! I usually never trust anything I have sanitized (other than a keg under pressure) for more than 10-14 days.

 

[kombat]

I clean them and hang to dry on the bottling tree, then leave for a few days to dry, then cover the mouths with foil and store. Before bottling, I sanitize with a vinator.

 

[phil74501]

I have a vinator. I'll go ahead and clean and sanitize them now, then sanitize them again before I bottle. How long should I let them sit after sanitizing them, and before bottling?

 

[flars]

Starsan is a wet sanitizer, if you are using Starsan, the bottles should be filled while they are still wet.

 

[IslandLizard]

I have a vinator. I'll go ahead and clean and sanitize them now, then sanitize them again before I bottle. How long should I let them sit after sanitizing them, and before bottling?

What sanitizer do you use?

 

[IslandLizard]

If it's been workin fine then go with it! I usually never trust anything I have sanitized (other than a keg under pressure) for more than 10-14 days.

I totally agree with that. And in most cases, 10-14 days can be too long, even 1 day. It all depends on one's rigor and standards.

My take is, a vessel that's been cleaned properly and sanitized then covered with sanitized foil (crimped around the opening, remains sanitized. Maybe that's too optimistic?

My growlers and bottles with screw caps get stored after cleaning and sanitation (Starsan only) and I just sanitize the outside lid area before removing it, drain the leftover bit of sanitizer out, and fill them.

 

[phil74501]

What sanitizer do you use?

Starsan

 

[IslandLizard]

Starsan

Advised contact time is 1 minute (FDA requires 2 minutes). However, thorough sanitation maybe completed within 15-30 seconds.

As long as the surface stays wet, Starsan is working and preventing anything new from hatching. The foam sanitizes as well as the liquid, and is tasteless in beer. "Don't fear the foam," but I let them drain out as much as possible, just leaving the last gob of bubbles behind.

That tree can get dusty and loaded with bacteria over time. Once it's dry, keep it covered with a plastic bag or so. I would rinse and Starsan it (dunk or spray) before hanging bottles off of it.

 

[phil74501]

I was thinking a sponge dipped in starsan, wash it down real good. Then go after it with a spray bottle of starsan just before hanging bottles from it.

 

[MarkKF]

Boy am I lazy. I wash/rinse them after I empty them.
I store them upside down in a cardboard 6 pk or case.
I rinse them with Starsan leaving the foam when I fill.

 

[flars]

Boy am I lazy. I wash/rinse them after I empty them.
I store them upside down in a cardboard 6 pk or case.
I rinse them with Starsan leaving the foam when I fill.

That's not being lazy, it is being efficient and thorough.