Bottling Question

[yimmyyames]

First, a thank you to all reading this post who contribute to this board. I have been lurking for the past month or so and it has been such a wonderful resource as I get introduce to this amazing hobby.

Before you jump down my throat, I understand the question I am about to ask has been asked many times. However I just asking for clarification as I have been a bit confused by the answers I have come across.

Tomorrow is bottling day for me for my first batch (very excited!). Basically I want to make sure that I am preparing my bottles in the correct manner to be filled. I have 50+ bottles presently soaking in Oxiclean to clean and remove the labels. My next step will be to sanitize in my dishwasher (without detergent). My question is…is that all I need to do? It either seems too simple and I am over thinking it or am I missing a step?


Thanks in advance.

 

[helibrewer]

Just make sure the bottles are well rinsed after the OxyClean treatment. If your sanitizer is acid-based (like StarSan), that will help get the OxyClean rinsed.

You probably will spill/drip a bit while bottling so plan for it, have everything close and some rags handy

If you are using oxygen barrier caps don't wet them prior to use, moisture activates the O2 absorbing process.

Have fun!!

 

[Jayhem]

It really is that simple.

I just wash in oxyclean and rinse and then stand my bottles in my oven at 170 degrees for 15 minutes to sanitize and dry, just bring them out for 5 minutes to cool and then bottle. The dishwasher is doing the same thing, using heat to sanitize the bottles but the oven method ensures that nothing touches the sanitized bottle tops.

Be sure to use sanitized caps! You can leave your caps in 170-200 degree water saucepan on the stove to sanitize or use solution, star san is worth purchasing, best sanitizer for the price.

When handling the bottles don't touch the tops and make sure your hands are soaked in sanitizing solution before manually placing the caps on the filled bottles.

 

[Copperpots_Brewing]

That should be about it! You may want to consider sanitizing the caps too. If you get a bottle of star-San sanitizer, that stuff works wonders. It is a no rinse solution, so of you have bubbles or liquid, you'll never taste or notice it in your beer. Mix up a small container of it and throw your caps in there, then just take them out one by one when you cap.
Remember, don't rinse the bottles with water after they've been sanitized. I see people rinse them from tap water all the time. No one remembers that tap water isn't sanitized! It's just as dirty as the pipes are!!
Other than that, have fun! Welcome to the addiction!

 

[unionrdr]

The oxiclean must be rinsed off in hot water. Use a bottle brush inside & out real quick to be sure they're clean of any lil grity bits as well. Many use the sanitizing cycle in the dishwasher. But many of us prefer starsan & a vinator to sanitize right before bottling. The starsan/vinator get all over the inside of the bottle. Even rinsing off missed tiny bits of stuff. The dishwasher can't do that. But to each their own.

 

[Jayhem]

Many use the sanitizing cycle in the dishwasher. But many of us prefer starsan & a vinator to sanitize right before bottling. The starsan/vinator get all over the inside of the bottle. Even rinsing off missed tiny bits of stuff. The dishwasher can't do that. But to each their own.

Heat can sanitize just as well as star san. Bottles and caps can take the heat of sanitation which also helps by drying the bottles so they aren't slippery to handle.

There are plenty of methods but as long as your bottles are clean and sanitized it makes no difference to your beer!

After bottling make sure you keep them warm and dark (68-72 degrees is best for carbonation) and don't try one until you reach 2 weeks in the bottle...I know it will be difficult to wait but if you don't you will be disappointed in the first brew and that's no way to enjoy this hobby.

 

[BrewerinBR]

A day before I bottle, I soak my bottles in oxyclean free for a few hours, and then scrub with a brush inside and out. Then rinse in hot water twice. Then into the dishwasher they go no soap no drying agent and the high heat dry turned on. Then to clean storage. On bottling day I give them a 2 to 3 minute soak in Star-San and a quick rinse with boiling water and fill. Caps soak in Star-San until they hit the bottle for capping. Just bottled 55 bottles of Amber Ale last night, took about 1.5 hours.

 

[Jayhem]

A day before I bottle, I soak my bottles in oxyclean free for a few hours, and then scrub with a brush inside and out. Then rinse in hot water twice. Then into the dishwasher they go no soap no drying agent and the high heat dry turned on. Then to clean storage. On bottling day I give them a 2 to 3 minute soak in Star-San and a quick rinse with boiling water and fill. Caps soak in Star-San until they hit the bottle for capping. Just bottled 55 bottles of Amber Ale last night, took about 1.5 hours.

This is called killing a fly with a machine gun...but your bottles are definitely sanitized.

 

[unionrdr]

But high heat can leave lil bits baked into the inside of the bottle. Sometimes samitized dirt hasn't been a good thing from stories I've read on here. Those folks switched to starsan. Not saying it's worthless or anything. But I like to be thorough. or maybe I'm just a little OCD...

 

[BrewerinBR]

This is called killing a fly with a machine gun...but your bottles are definitely sanitized.

Yes it is, and is way beyond what I need to do, but it is my beer and I bottle all of it (no kegs) so I am fussy and I love my beer, it is good, it is wonderful, is lovely, it is my friend.

 

[Calichusetts]

I would rinse out the bottles a few times after you use oxyclean...when i put it in my carboys, I can empty and refill them several times and still have a small amount of oxyclean rising along the sides