dirty bottles

dan34 · Jul 9, 2016

I have the Chance off getting some grolsh bottles but only thing is they been left outside for a while full of dust and muck, would I be able to clean them up to use and if so what the best way,new to all this and reading how important cleanness is didnt want to risk without running past you guys thanks

Dads_Ale · Jul 9, 2016

Yes you should be able to clean them up.
I use PBW to clean, soak for about 30 mins and then rinse. On bottle day just rinse with StarSan to sanitise.
I would invest in a bottle washer and bottle tree as well.
I would also replace the rubber seals, you can get replacements cheap enough from homebrew shops or eBay.

DoctorMick · Jul 9, 2016

Dads_Ale said:
Yes you should be able to clean them up.
I use PBW to clean, soak for about 30 mins and then rinse. On bottle day just rinse with StarSan to sanitise.
I would invest in a bottle washer and bottle tree as well.
I would also replace the rubber seals, you can get replacements cheap enough from homebrew shops or eBay.

Agree with this, maybe use a bottle brush if they're heavily soiled. You should only need to do the thorough clean once tho, if you wash them straight after emptying them and keep them covered you only need hot water to clean. You still need to sanitise on bottling day of course.

MarkMayf · Jul 9, 2016

I got given some that hadn't been rinsed. And had sat in a garage for years. They were mouldy inside. Bar one, I got them clean and they have been fine with new seals fitted.

Robin54 · Jul 9, 2016

Dads_Ale said:
Yes you should be able to clean them up.
I use PBW to clean, soak for about 30 mins and then rinse. On bottle day just rinse with StarSan to sanitise.
I would invest in a bottle washer and bottle tree as well.
I would also replace the rubber seals, you can get replacements cheap enough from homebrew shops or eBay.

Agree with above. if you have a lot to clean (+30) I would put them in a dustbin and use some Oxiclean as a first line of attack

Leon103 · Jul 9, 2016

Soak, scrub, soak again, clean and steralise. They will be good to go. Or stick them in the dishwasher on an intense wash and then just on a quick wash with no tablet it in.