Sanitizing bottles

[Skins_Brew]

So, i got my equipment for christmas and the first batch is fermenting as we speak. I have been saving non-twist bottles religiously since about thanksgiving and i have about 60 of them. I drink them and set them on the counter and after about 10 have piled up i soaked them in a bleach/oxiclean bath for a few hours to get the labels off and i scrub out the insides. A friend of mine told me you can put the bottles in the dishwasher and set the washer to dry mode and that will sanitize them before bottling. Does anyone see any problems with this? It sounds like it would work fine as long as there were no solids in the bottle.

 

[McKBrew]

I don't think the dry cycle alone on the dishwasher would be long or hot enough to sanitize bottles effectively.

You could clean them well and just keep them soaking in sanitizer while you bottle. (A five gallon bucket of star-san or your preferred sanitizer works well)

There is a method for sanitizing in the oven
http://www.boomchugalug.com/baking_bottles.htm

 

[Yooper]

Well, my dishwasher doesn't get hot enough to sanitize. Some dishwashers DO have sanitize settings, though, I've heard. To me, it's just as easy though to use this nifty thing called a vinator http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?products_id=1322
and then stick them on a bottle tree. It takes about 5 minutes, and you don't have to let them dry. I know that others do use their dishwashers, though.

 

[HighPlainsDrifter]

I use my dishwasher to clean and then I soak in OneStep for a few minutes. No problems yet. Welcome to the board.

 

[malkore]

dishwashers really don't clean inside the bottle very well...so I'd stop relying on that to clean before sanitizing.

I just dip my bottles in a bucket of star san, then they go on a bottle tree until I fill em 20 minutes later.

 

[HighPlainsDrifter]

dishwashers really don't clean inside the bottle very well...so I'd stop relying on that to clean before sanitizing.

I just dip my bottles in a bucket of star san, then they go on a bottle tree until I fill em 20 minutes later.

Yeah I agree. I guess I should have said that the bottles are pretty darn clean when I put them in the dishwasher in the first place. I always wash the bottles with a brush and HOT water after drinking the contents. Then I store them upside down until I'm ready to bottle. Then it's into the dishwasher and a quick soak. Sorry for the confusion, I just finished a couple of IIPA's and

 

[Skins_Brew]

Thanks for the info. I think i will just dip em in the star san and let them drain out on the dishwasher rack.

 

[kappclark]

Clean then sanitize .. I use iodophor

Get yourself a bottle washer and a tree - saved me TONS of time.

 

[jota]

hey guys, i just wanted to make sure i understand what to do with the bottles. I threw my first batch from mr. beer in on thursday and will be bottling next sunday.

my boss' husband used to brew beer, but has moved on to just wine and I was able to get 50 or so swing top grolsch bottles from him. I went to my LHBS (i hope that means local home brew store) and got some straight-a and new rubber tops for the bottles.

Its ok if i clean them today with straight-a and a bottle brush and then go back to the store and get san-star and sanitize them next week right? like i don't have to clean and sanitize the same day do i?

can i leave them drip dry in an unsanitized dishwasher after i clean them? also after i sanitize them with san-stari can let them dry in the dishwasher right, assuming i washed the dw with san-star first?

also, how do i know if the rubber needs replacing on the stoppers? if they are rotted, i'll just know right? and i should change them before santization right?

sorry for all the questions!

 

[talleymonster]

if you use the dishwasher method, make sure that you don't use Jet Dry in the washer. It will kill any head that you might have had on your beer.

 

[Nurmey]

my boss' husband used to brew beer, but has moved on to just wine and I was able to get 50 or so swing top grolsch bottles from him. I went to my LHBS (i hope that means local home brew store) and got some straight-a and new rubber tops for the bottles.!

LHBS does mean local home brew store

Its ok if i clean them today with straight-a and a bottle brush and then go back to the store and get san-star and sanitize them next week right? like i don't have to clean and sanitize the same day do i?

Give them a good cleaning now. On bottling day, give them a rinse with water to remove any dust that may have settled and put them in the sanatizer.

can i leave them drip dry in an unsanitized dishwasher after i clean them? also after i sanitize them with san-stari can let them dry in the dishwasher right, assuming i washed the dw with san-star first?

Yes, you can dry in DW after cleaning. When sanatizing, no need to let the Star San dry. In fact it might be better to have them wet (but drained) if you don't have a bottle tree. THERE WILL BE LOTS OF BUBBLES WITH STAR SAN. DO NOT FEAR THE BUBBLES! Just bottle and let the bubbles foam over.

also, how do i know if the rubber needs replacing on the stoppers? if they are rotted, i'll just know right? and i should change them before santization right?!

It's always a good idea to change the gaskets when you get used bottles. A few bucks worth of new gaskets are worth it. Yes, change them before you sanatize.

sorry for all the questions!

That's why we are all here, to be teachers and students!