Washing/Sanitising Bottles

nicklawmusic · Feb 28, 2014

After drinking a beer, I thoroughly wash each bottle out in hot soapy water with a bottle brush. After which, I place over the head and bottleneck of each bottle some tinfoil to stop any dust, etc, getting in.

My question is do I need to wash the bottles again before sanitising them or will I be able to just sanitise them prior to filling each bottle with my finished beer?

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MedicMang · Feb 28, 2014

I usually just turn them upside down in the boxes to keep the dust out. When I need to bottle, I just rinse them with my jet bottle washer to make me feel better before sanitizing. Maybe not necessary, but if I'm sending most of my beers to competition, the extra couple minutes to rinse is worth it just to make sure.

You really shouldn't need soap or bottle brush if you are rinsing right after pouring. Dish soap can leave residue that will kill head retention. Try oxyclean free for stubborn bottles with crap in it.

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flars · Feb 28, 2014

Right. Don't use soap. Triple rinse, upside down to dry and store. Bottling day sanitize with a no rinse sanitizer, drain, and fill.

nicklawmusic · Feb 28, 2014

So I don't need to wash them all again? I mean, they're all clean!

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MaxStout · Feb 28, 2014

After pouring a beer, I do 2 rinses and a shake, then invert to drip-dry overnight. I put the rinsed/dry bottles in boxes. Then on bottling day, a few shots of Starsan with the Vinator and set on the bottle tree.

kh54s10 · Feb 28, 2014

Agreed - no dish soap. The anti spotting agents will kill head retention.

Pour, rinse well with hot water and store. But, if there is any stuck on gunk then you can clean with Oxyclean or PBW or another brewing cleaner. On bottling day I rinse again, spritz with Starsan in my Vinator (get one!) then place on my dishwasher rack to drain, fill and cap.

I keep my bottles in cardboard case boxes - no foil or anything else.