do you sterilise crown caps

[W0nderW0man]

Do you have to sterilise crown caps before use? Do you just boil them or use steriliser? I'm asking because they will rust if they get wet.

 

[Covrich]

the sanitiser mix I make up for the bottles I take a jug out and dump the caps in , take one out and place on bottle top then cap.

 

[Cwrw666]

I use them straight from the packet. However, when I'm re-using them which I often do if I've been careful when taking them off so as not to dent or bend them, I soak them in boiling water for a while. ( I know they don't cost much but I have a jar full of used ones, so why not? )

 

[mike-os]

Always...
Why risk it?

 

[Leon103]

Never have, never had an issue

 

[hoptoit]

I spray them with starsan while doing the bottles at the same time.

 

[Cqr]

Starsan at the same time as doing my bottles

 

[johnnyboy1965]

Over 2000 bottled, never sanitised one, never had a infection, just the odd mishap when not putting the cap on properly, maybe 10 in 2000.
Bacteria needs 3 things to survive...heat, warmth and moisture. Take away any one of these and you will reduce the risk of a infection.

 

[MickDundee]

I dunk them in boiling water. Any left over get thoroughly dried (usually air dried overnight after a towel dry) to stop rusting then put back in the bag.

 

[Sandimas]

Over 2000 bottled here too and never sterlised them. I have had infections, but it's never been down to the caps.

 

[W0nderW0man]

thanks guys that is really interesting. I think I will just throw them in a pot, boil them an put them in the oven to dry while I prime the bottles :)

 

[dad_of_jon]

thanks guys that is really interesting. I think I will just throw them in a pot, boil them an put them in the oven to dry while I prime the bottles :)

Hi, I'd be careful with that.

you may melt the coating if you put the oven on too high. the the caps I have from geterbrewed, wilkos & the home brew shop have a plastic type lining to them, and hence aren't likely to rust, there's no metal directly in contact with the beer.

http://www.wilko.com/homebrew-accessories+equipment/wilko-bottle-cap-metal-beer-50/invt/0022566

 

[geetee]

I think the plastic coating ,the most likely part to be in contact with the beer may be resistant to bacteria. The caps are probably cleaned (not sterile) when packaged and unless they are loose are unlikely to become contaminated

 

[mike-os]

Just use a no rinse sanitiser like star San. ... chuck a hand full in a cup of stars an and take out as you cap... easy peasy

 

[Robin54]

As I work in an operating theatre and have done for over 30 years I would like to think I know a thing about cleaning, sanitising and sterilising.
The first thing to know is that you can't make a dirty object sterile. From a home brew perspective the organisms we want to destroy are large and simple. We are not trying to kill Ebola!
For bottle caps, which are clean, I would recommend putting them in a pan and pour boiling water on them. This will kill any organisms that can spoil a beer, which are generally rogue yeasts.
I just can't see the point in using expensive chemicals. For instance my mixing spoon is sterilised this way. Anyone reading this may well have a differing view, which Im more than willing to listen too, but I can only tell you what I do, utilising the knowledge I have, and Ive never had a problem in thirty years of brewing. If you think Im talking Horlicks let me know....I won't be offended!

 

[MyQul]

As I work in an operating theatre and have done for over 30 years I would like to think I know a thing about cleaning, sanitising and sterilising.
The first thing to know is that you can't make a dirty object sterile. From a home brew perspective the organisms we want to destroy are large and simple. We are not trying to kill Ebola!
For bottle caps, which are clean, I would recommend putting them in a pan and pour boiling water on them. This will kill any organisms that can spoil a beer, which are generally rogue yeasts.
I just can't see the point in using expensive chemicals. For instance my mixing spoon is sterilised this way. Anyone reading this may well have a differing view, which Im more than willing to listen too, but I can only tell you what I do, utilising the knowledge I have, and Ive never had a problem in thirty years of brewing. If you think Im talking Horlicks let me know....I won't be offended!

If that's the job you do I think you know your stuff. I'm aware of brewers on the forum who only ever use boiling water for santising all their kit and have done for decades.
One reason brewers use expensive chemicals, such as star san no rinse sanitiser, is the simple convienience of it. A few squirts with a spray bottle and your done. It's not even that expensive as it's reuseable. I bought some starsan about 3 years ago and it's only half empty

 

[cheapbrew]

I agree Robin, I use Milton tabs for bottles, but everything else gets done with boiling water, even Demijohn's which I keep seeing people stating to never use boiling water or they will break, I've never had one break with boiling water since I started in the mid seventies. :thumb:

 

[Robin54]

I agree Robin, I use Milton tabs for bottles, but everything else gets done with boiling water, even Demijohn's which I keep seeing people stating to never use boiling water or they will break, I've never had one break with boiling water since I started in the mid seventies. :thumb:

Slightly off topic, the one thing I NEVER do is use a metal spoon on a plastic surface, because the scratches caused are a great home for rogue bugs. I did have a lot of experience many moons ago with peracetic acid which is a great steriliser but bloody dangerous stuff.I don't think you can buy it for home use.

 

[MyQul]

I agree Robin, I use Milton tabs for bottles, but everything else gets done with boiling water, even Demijohn's which I keep seeing people stating to never use boiling water or they will break, I've never had one break with boiling water since I started in the mid seventies. :thumb:

Never heard that about demijohns before . I always put the hottest water from the tap mixed with oxiclean to clean my yeast culturing/starter DJ

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I use Milton on everything and have never had a problem, two tablets to a washing up bowl full of water and its no rinse.