Screw plastic bottle tops

[Zoomered]

Hi all, new here so please be kind. :thumb:

Do I need to sterilise new screw plastic bottle tops? Just sorting out my first brew and sterilising everything ready for f and was going to decant from fermenter to bottles sterilising solution and leave for the period of f. Will I then need to sterilise the tops prior to bottling?

Am I on the right track? Sorry for being a newbie

Jim

 

[Rivvo]

Welcome mate, to be honest I use brand new ones staright from the box (which may well be wrong) but only sterilise used ones.

 

[Zoomered]

Thanks, do you recommend filling the f with ster then after cleaning everything in it transferring the solution to the bottles and leaving sitting open until bottling? Obviously rinsing everything thoroughly before use?

 

[bobsbeer]

All bottles should be sanitised. Using straight from the box without sanitising is not recommended. Chances are you will getaway with it, but you don't know what has happened to those bottles during the packing, etc.

 

[Zoomered]

Thanks but I was referring to the new tops, brew is now on and bottles are sitting full of sanitiser.. Ok process?

 

[rpt]

You should definitely sanitise the lids. Why would you do the bottles hut not the lids?

 

[Zoomered]

Just thought sealed bag full of fresh lids clean... Was getting worried I was getting toooo anal with cleaning! Tbh I'm going glass next as I've heard better for carb so gonna buy a capper...?
Cheers
Jim

 

[coopsy]

Would anyone recommend sterilizing a new unopened bag of metal caps before use ?.......i'm guessing so.





"I would give up beer, but i'm no quitter". :

 

[bobsbeer]

Would anyone recommend sterilizing a new unopened bag of metal caps before use ?.......i'm guessing so.

I think you answered your own question. But the real answer is that you don't know what happened to the caps before they went in the bag. While I'm sure the factory is clean, it will not be a sterile environment. For the sake of a few minutes why risk it?

 

[mcc111]

There's no telling how many people might have touched those bottle tops on the way to you opening them. Definitely sterilise them before use. When you bought your fermentor, did you sterilise that before first use? I bet you did.

 

[GavH]

I haven't sanitised a cap yet. I also haven't had an infection yet. I think some folk get too overly concerned by the whole 'sanitise absolutely everything'. I bet some of them don't even wash their hands after going to the toilet. :nono:

There is no doubt that by sanitising everything, you reduce the probability of infection, but I can't help but think people were brewing beers many years before the invention of Star San. :electric:

 

[PaulCa]

When I bottled my brews I would fill the bath full enough to be able to completely fill and submerge 22 2litre PET bottles in hot water. Adding a suitable amount of sanitizer of course.

I would leave them to soak for the 5-10 minutes recommended (by the santizer label) then drain the bath and rinse each bottle under the cold tap twice. This took for-bloody-ever and as a result I got fed up and stopped home brewing. In fairness it really only took an hour, but it felt like 6 hours.

I forked out for a keg and CO2 system and have never looked back.

The caps were also "thown" into the bath and were rinsed by the water being poured out of the bottles. I reused the caps until I seen any damage to the seals etc, then I binned them. I think bags of 20 or so lids are just a couple of quid.