Newbie Question - Can I reuse old bottles for homebrewing?

[safo003]

I have a collection of bottles, and I'd like to know if I can reuse them to homebrewing. They are sitting in the shelf for a few years, some have the cap on, some doesn't. With a proper cleaning, they'll be good for reuse?

Thanks!

 

[jtratcliff]

Absolutely... All of my bottles came from reusing those from commercial brews.

Twist offs can be problematic to get a good seal though...

 

[safo003]

Oh, that's good to know!

I remember that not all of them were well cleaned before going to the shelf, is that a problem? What chemical can i use to deep clean them?

 

[55x11]

Oh, that's good to know!

I remember that not all of them were well cleaned before going to the shelf, is that a problem? What chemical can i use to deep clean them?

You need to:
1. Clean them (using oxyclean or PBW or some similar detergent, in hot water, maybe soak, that helps).
2. Rinse them.
3. Sanitize them (StarSan or similar no-rinse sanitizer is best).

 

[applescrap]

Soak them overnight in hot oxy free (1 tbl per gallon of water). Then rinse and sanitize them. I only bottled in pet 2 liters and reccomend 1 liter pet as an option.

 

[whovous]

I try to rinse bottles soon after I drink them. I soak my bottles in a sink filled with hot water and use OxyClean to remove the crud. If I see anything visibly growing, I pitch the bottle.

 

[jan_b19]

I have a collection of bottles, and I'd like to know if I can reuse them to homebrewing. They are sitting in the shelf for a few years, some have the cap on, some doesn't. With a proper cleaning, they'll be good for reuse?

Thanks!

Yes, i do it all the time.
Just rinse bottles out after drinking them to avoid getting a mold cake on the bottom, clean them with a cleaning agent ( I use caustic chlorine).
Rinse them at least 2 times after cleaning (Because I clean them with caustic chlorine i rinse them at least 3 times cause having a chlorine flavor in finished beer is a big nono).
Disinfect with starsan and bottle!

Rinsing the bottles after drinking REALLY helps to avoid mold.

 

[safo003]

So I checked the bottles, and some of them have mold on the bottom... it's better not use the moldy ones, right?

 

[jtratcliff]

Give them a soak in oxiclean (unscented) and hot water...

The crud will float out in less than an hour. Hit 'em with a bottle brush if you like, but I find an oxi soak with maybe a shake and swirl to be plenty. Follow with a thorough rinsing, then sanitize.

Good to go.

 

[Weezy]

I try to rinse bottles soon after I drink them. I soak my bottles in a sink filled with hot water and use OxyClean to remove the crud. If I see anything visibly growing, I pitch the bottle.

+1
Rinse them immediately after drinking/pouring.

 

[whovous]

I think the next morning is soon enough in most environments. That said, the things that you can find in beer bottles that you store in an uncooled garage with the plan of sanitizing them "someday" are pretty gross indeed. Insects, mold... I haven't found a dead mouse yet, but I suspect it is possible.