Issues with bottle conditioning

[Nike_Eayrs]

Well then, maybe the dishwasher is the issue? I rinse everything in one step, and then it goes into the dishwasher.

 

[zachattack]

There are lots of threads debating if one step is a sanitizer or a cleaner... apparently it can sanitize, but they can't legally advertise is as such. Or something. Either way, if you let it dry it's probably less effective, and most dishwashers can't really sanitize. And that would only work for glass, since the dishwasher sanitizes with heat soft plastics would melt.

I really recommend Star San. Rinse the bottles a few times with hot water immediately after drinking to get the crap out, dunk them in star san right before filling. That's all the cleaning/sanitizing you need for the bottles. That works for almost everything else as well: bottling bucket, tubing, siphon, etc. If you get to it immediately, a good rinse is all you need to clean it, then dunk it in star san before you use it the next time to sanitize it.

Like I said, never rinse the star san, and use it while wet. Save the one step for soaking kegs, carboys, etc. And when it runs out, just buy some oxiclean free (or PBW if you're feeling fancy).

 

[C-Rider]

On the getting bottles ready here is what I do:
1-rince after drinking put in drainer upside down to dry
2-wait till I have 12 bottles and put them in a 5 gallon bucket w/OxyClean and leave them there till I have another 12 bottles.
3-remove from OxyClean and they are label free, rinse and again put in drainer to dry. Then store in a close plastic container.
4-on bottleing day soak in Star San and store on the bottom rack of dishwasher which has been sprayed w/StarSan.
5-fill, cap and put on new labels.

 

[Stauffbier]

On the getting bottles ready here is what I do:
1-rince after drinking put in drainer upside down to dry
2-wait till I have 12 bottles and put them in a 5 gallon bucket w/OxyClean and leave them there till I have another 12 bottles.
3-remove from OxyClean and they are label free, rinse and again put in drainer to dry. Then store in a close plastic container.
4-on bottleing day soak in Star San and store on the bottom rack of dishwasher which has been sprayed w/StarSan.
5-fill, cap and put on new labels.

I do pretty much the same thing, but I add a second soak in Oxiclean after de-labeling. Just in case any glue residue from the labels stays behind in the bottles after the first soak.

These days I don't have to de-label anymore. I have probably 500+ (either full or empty) that are de-labeled.