sterlizing bottles

[captjack]

What is the best way to sterilize bottles ? Can I use the dishwasher? thanks

 

[pointcity-homebrew]

When I did bottle, I would soak the bottle in a oxyclean solution. When I was ready to bottle I would use a bottle brush to remove any debris and rinse with warm water. Toss them in a Star San solution for a few minutes and you are good to go.

You could use the dishwasher to clean them I suppose, but I would not negate the Star San bath.

 

[hannibalmdq]

Do you want to sterilize or sanitize them?

You may be able to sanitize your bottles in the dishwasher but you'd need to verify that it actually gets hot enough (>160) during its steam cycle to do so. I tested my dishwasher and even though it states 160 on the steam cycle, it never breaks 140. Starsan, idorphor, or properly diluted bleach are probably the easiest sanitizing options. Just be sure your bottles are clean first, regardless of the sanitizing method you choose.

To sterilize you probably have two options. Bake in the oven (340 for 1 hour, you may want to slowly raise temps to reduce the risk of thermal shock weakening the glass) or use a pressure cooker. I personally bake my bottles, but that has less to do with desiring sterilizing over sanitizing and more to do with spreading out brewing related tasks. If you put foil over the opening of the bottle prior to dry heat sterilizing, they will remain sterile more or less indefinitely.

 

[kombat]

As mentioned, there's a difference between sanitizing and sterilizing. The OP almost certainly only needs sanitizing. That said, I wanted to point out that typical pressure cookers only go up to 12 psi, which is insufficient for true sterilization. To thoroughly sterilize the contents, you need to use a pressure canner, capable of achieving 15 psi.

But I just squirt some StarSan in mine right before I bottle.

 

[ryantollefson]

You shouldn't need to sterilize them... sanitizing should be fine.

Assuming clean bottles - I use a tub of StarSan, soak them, then put them in fast rack to drip while I transfer to bottling bucket.

 

[captjack]

Thanks for all of the input. I still need to learn all of the leango I did mean sanitizing instead of sterilizing will do the tub of starsan when its time thanks.

 

[DatsyukianDeke]

I've got a bucket with 5 gallons of star san right in it. I'll put 12 bottles in, let sit for a few minutes then pull those and dunk another 12. Fill and cap the sanitized bottles, repeat until done.

 

[C-Rider]

Isn't there a sticky on this issue? The same questions come up every other day.

 

[plumbrew]

Do a search on a home brew site for the "Vinator Bottle Washer." Gets your bottles sanitized in a jiffy while your priming sugar is boiling.

 

[sfish]

I have been sanitizing a day or 2 before bottling. Leaving the bottles upsidedown. Is this a good practice? Does anyone else do this.

 

[Yooper]

I have been sanitizing a day or 2 before bottling. Leaving the bottles upsidedown. Is this a good practice? Does anyone else do this.

I wouldn't. While it's probably ok, it means a bit of risk since once the sanitizer dries, they are vulnerable to microbes. I'm not sure how long something stays sanitized, but it isn't indefinitely.