Sterilizing Bottles

Coz

Hi all,

I'm not a high tech brewer and only do wet lit stuff, mostly with great success bar a few brews.

Just wondering what you knowledgeable creatures would make of this.

Before I start brewing I wash my bottles and my 23l fermenter along with the other bits and bobs.

I then fill the fermenter with water and Milton (in the recommended ratio). I then use this to sterilise my bottles, tap, bottling tube etc.

I pop all the bottles on a bottle tree and then leave them there for the week or whatever it takes for primary fermentation. When ready I bottle up, add sugar and leave for secondary fermentation.

Just wondering if its bad practice to leave the bottles on the tree for a week, or should I be sterilizing closer to bottling time?

The reason I do it is for convenience. The fermenter is a handy size for sterilizing everything and it means the bottles are ready to go when the SG settles.

As I said I've had the odd bad batch but I think was down to poor temperature control when mixing initially leading to phenols.

Any and all advice greatly appreciated.

mordeith

I think with the bottles on the tree for that long you're liable to increase the potential for infection. The Milton won't keep them sterilized while exposed. I think if you had swing tops that could be sealed then they'd be OK to use after a week or so. I've switched to using Star San for my bottle sterilizing. Quick and easy before bottling.

Coz

mordeith wrote:

I think if you had swing tops that could be sealed then they'd be OK to use after a week or so.

Thanks for that.

I'm using PETs with screw caps. If I put the lids once they are dry would that work??

mordeith

Coz wrote: »

Thanks for that.

I'm using PETs with screw caps. If I put the lids once they are dry would that work??

Some feedback here.
https://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=54596

sharingan

Be aware that milton contains chlorine so you can get all kinds of yeast - chlorine - chlorophenols if you are unlucky.

As others have mentioned, milton will keep the bottles sanitary for a short duration only.

Consider investing in star san and either get a home brewing bottle rinser (like an inverted plunger) or a spray bottle. When you are bottling get the (pre-cleaned) bottles coated in star san, and that should take care of any problems. Its easy to apply just before you bottle.

Coz

Star San arrived today and I bought myself a spray bottle.

Thanks for all the advice guys.