14 replies to this topic

[robsauce]

I have a dozen or so bottles that have some serious crud in the bottom that I can't seem to get out after soaking in soapy water and scrubbing with the bottle brush as the brush can't exactly reach some of the areas of crud. I usually try to rinse the sediment and bottles immediately after pouring but occasionally (as the case with these dozen or so) I get uber drunk and forget to rinse and end up with this problem. Does anyone have a good suggestion for cleaning dirty bottles? Any suggestions on the best way to store bottles in between use?

[Deerslyr]

I have a dozen or so bottles that have some serious crud in the bottom that I can't seem to get out after soaking in soapy water and scrubbing with the bottle brush as the brush can't exactly reach some of the areas of crud. I usually try to rinse the sediment and bottles immediately after pouring but occasionally (as the case with these dozen or so) I get uber drunk and forget to rinse and end up with this problem. Does anyone have a good suggestion for cleaning dirty bottles? Any suggestions on the best way to store bottles in between use?

Herer is a surefire way to get those suckers clean. I heat up some water and put in Oxy-Free (Oxyclean without the scent crystals). Then I submerge and fill the bottles and then put them in a picnic cooler (this is a great way to clean your cooler mash tun at the same time) and then fill the cooler with the rest so that all bottles are completely submerged. Close the lid and come back after a few days. At that point, this is what I do with each bottle... drain halfway, put my thumb over the opening and shake vigorously for a few seconds. Then I dunk it in warm/hot water so that the bottle fills, then after getting about 6 or so bottles in that vessel, I do the same thing... empty halfway, give a good shake (helps get the oxy residue off) and empty. Then I finish with sanitizer. I had a friend give me some cases of empties, and these were NASTY... and this process got EVERYTHING out of the inside of the bottle AND the outside. The worst labels will slip right off.I put a paper towel in the bottom of the box and store upside down.Obviously, once you have done this, if you are diligent about rinsing the bottles right away this won't be an issue in the future.

[MakeMeHoppy]

I was going to either suggest Oxyclean as above or just suggest replacing the bottles. 12 bottles can be obtained for 60 cents from your beer distributor.

[robsauce]

I prefer to bottle in larger 650 or 1L grolsch style bottles. Unfortunately here they aren't that cheap to replace. I'll give the oxyclean and warm water soak a go here. Thanks.

[Deerslyr]

I prefer to bottle in larger 650 or 1L grolsch style bottles. Unfortunately here they aren't that cheap to replace. I'll give the oxyclean and warm water soak a go here. Thanks.

you can have the bottle brush on hand, but you aren't going to need it.

[MakeMeHoppy]

I don't even bottle anymore and still can't part with my grolsch bottles....So all I can recommend is while you are cleaning these you repeat. I will not do this again....

[3rd party JKor]

Oxyclean, Sun Oxygen Cleaner, PBW or caustic. All of these will work much better than soapy water.

[robsauce]

I wasn't really familiar with oxiclean so I did some research before heading to the store - all of it looks like clothing stain remover? That and they have about 8 different varieties.....https://www.oxiclean.com/Index.aspxAm I missing something here?

[jayb151]

Am I missing something here?

No, you're not. I wasn't too keen to buy it after using PBW. PBW gets even the most stuck on goop off bottles and leaves them with that sqeaky clean feeling. It's great! But, I'm usually always broke. A bucket of Oxyclean (or generic) is cheaper that PBW, so I tried it.I'll say, Oxyclean isn't AS good as PBW, but it sure is great at cleaning bottles. Just a quick soak was all I needed to clean cases. the only problem, for me, is that it does foam up a bit more tham PBW. Not really a problem, more of an annoyance.

[MolBasser]

I'm a big fan of caustic.But oxyclean will work too.MolBasser

[zymot]

No, you're not. I wasn't too keen to buy it after using PBW. PBW gets even the most stuck on goop off bottles and leaves them with that sqeaky clean feeling. It's great! But, I'm usually always broke. A bucket of Oxyclean (or generic) is cheaper that PBW, so I tried it.I'll say, Oxyclean isn't AS good as PBW, but it sure is great at cleaning bottles. Just a quick soak was all I needed to clean cases. the only problem, for me, is that it does foam up a bit more tham PBW. Not really a problem, more of an annoyance.

PBW is better than Oxyclean. Oxyclean is close, but not as good. I have had problems with oxyclean leaving a powdery film on bottles. I find you can get away with a much lower concentration of PBW than recommended, especially if you use hot water.For me, using PBW is easier and quicker and I find comfort in using the right tool for the job. (Oxyclean goes into my washing machine, PBW is for the brewery) True, Oxyclean is cheaper than PBW, but it is a difference of like 10 cents of Oxyclean against 50 cents of PBW. To save 40 cents isn't worth the hassle, IMHO.zymot

[robsauce]

Excuse my newbishness but what does PBW stand for or what is it? I've never heard of it or seen it. Is it something a department/grocery store would have in their cleaning isle or is this more of a brewery store product? That being said, I've never heard of 'caustic' either.

[MolBasser]

PBW= Powdered Brewery(ers) WashCaustic=Lye=Sodium Hydroxide.MolBasser

[zymot]

Excuse my newbishness but what does PBW stand for or what is it? I've never heard of it or seen it. Is it something a department/grocery store would have in their cleaning isle or is this more of a brewery store product? That being said, I've never heard of 'caustic' either.

PBW is from FiveStar Chemicals, same guys who make the excellent StarSan product.https://www.brewmast...e-star-pbw-1-lbThis stuff is magic. Cleans up junk without even trying that other products can't even touch.I do not know of any retail place that would carry it other than brewing shops.

[Deerslyr]

PBW is from FiveStar Chemicals, same guys who make the excellent StarSan product.https://www.brewmast...e-star-pbw-1-lbThis stuff is magic. Cleans up junk without even trying that other products can't even touch.I do not know of any retail place that would carry it other than brewing shops.

I've always understood that Oxyclean was one ingredient away from being PBW. And by the way, I can get a tub of Oxyclean at Big Lots for a lot cheaper than I can get it at even Wal-Mart. Don't know why I need PBW when Oxyclean gets out the worst that can be left in a bottle.