Beer Brewing Guide - Bottle Cleaning
Reading time: 3 minutes
Bottle cleaning is essential for successful secondary fermentation in the bottle and subsequent enjoyment. New and used bottles have different cleaning requirements. ‘Speciality bottles’ such as swing-top bottles and a wide variety of bottle shapes have their own peculiarities that need to be taken into account. Find out in this blog article what you need to look out for with the different bottles and how to keep your bottles safe and germ-free for bottling
General information
We advise against disinfecting the bottles by heating them in the oven! This can cause microcracks in the bottles, which can lead to bottle bursting during secondary fermentation.
When using Puro Oxi: If you fill a bottle with Puro Oxi with warm water, the solution will foam up considerably. Avoid scalding at all costs and provide cold, running water in the immediate vicinity
Glass shatters into many individual pieces when it bursts. Always wear safety goggles and gloves when cleaning bottles to protect yourself from cuts from broken glass and burns from cleaning agents
We usually recommend brown bottles for bottling beer to avoid the well-known ‘light flavour’. This is caused by UV rays reacting with the ingredients of the hops. The darker the glass, the more difficult it is for the UV rays to penetrate
We recommend avoiding surfactants (detergents) when cleaning bottles. These not only foam up a lot and are difficult to remove without leaving any residue, they also destroy the foam and flavour of the beer
Cleaning new bottles
Cleaning new bottles for bottling beer is crucial for the quality of the end product. Before the bottles are used for the first time, it is advisable to clean them thoroughly. This can be done by washing them with boiling water to remove any germs and bacteria. This simple step ensures that the beer matures optimally in the fresh bottles and can develop its full flavour. To be on the safe side, you can also clean the bottles with a slight dilution of the oxidative cleaning agent Puro Oxi. This agent also removes odours very effectively.
Cleaning used bottles
If you want to use used bottles for bottling beer, it is advisable to rinse them with water once after drinking to make cleaning easier later on. To remove impurities, you should first carry out a mechanical cleaning using a bottle brush. It is helpful to soak the bottles in lukewarm water beforehand to make it easier to remove dirt or other impurities. Once the bottles have been pre-cleaned, they are disinfected. To do this, simply dissolve the PURO OXI cleaning agent at a dosage of 4g/L in warm to hot water, leave the bottles to soak for 3-5 minutes and then allow to drain.
Cleaning swing-top bottles
Particular attention must be paid to cleaning the rubber seal of swing-top bottles! Biofilm tends to form here, which can cause infections in the beer.
A major advantage of secondary fermentation in swing-top bottles is that you can easily release some pressure from the bottle by carefully pressing the rubber seal upwards with both thumbs.
Cleaning crown caps and seals
While used rubber seals on swing-top bottles usually have to be cleaned individually, this is not necessary for new crown caps or newly packaged swing-tops.
We recommend using an alcohol-based disinfectant in a spray bottle immediately before use. Suitable agents include Ecolab P3-alcodes and CMT-Spray-Away.
Equipment for cleaning bottles
The easiest way to clean the bottles mechanically is with a hand brush. A pipe brush such as the Vikan company is particularly suitable for the neck of the bottle and a brush with protruding bristles at the end is particularly effective for the base of the bottle.
Bottle washers’ are an alternative, usually at a medium price. These are available in various designs and price ranges. The water pressure generated by these bottle washers results in significantly more efficient cleaning and safer filling.
Finally, there are also devices such as the bottle fairy, which can be used to clean the bottles conveniently and easily in the dishwasher at home. However, care must be taken here to use the right detergent and to avoid surfactants as far as possible.
Braumarkt Beer Brewing Guide
Step 1: Malt Milling
Step 2: Mashing
Step 3: Lautering
Step 4: Boiling
Step 5: Whirpool & Cooling
Step 6: Fermenting
Step 7: Bottling
Step 2: Mashing
Step 3: Lautering
Step 4: Boiling
Step 5: Whirpool & Cooling
Step 6: Fermenting
Step 7: Bottling
Arsegan PURO OXI ® 1000 gr
€6.95*
Cleaner for all slightly soiled materials and bottles. Does not need to be rinsed with water, but it's still recommended. By the released active oxygen is a thorough cleaning in a single treatment with a short contact time!
Dosage: 4 grams per liter of warm to hot water.
Contact time: 3-5 minutes. Attention: in case of a longer contact time harmless white calcium deposits may be left behind which can be easily removed by rinsing with a solution of acedic or citric acid.
Content: 1000 g (good for 250 liter cleaner)
Please note that it has the same active ingredient as Chemipro OXI, only it's much more favorably priced.
Not Available
Tip
CMT Spray-Away® disinfection alcohol 500ml
€8.95*
Use Biocides Safely: Read the Label and Product Information Before Use
CMT Spray-Away Disinfection Alcohol is a surface disinfection liquid formulated with 80% high-purity ethyl alcohol. It is specially developed and tested for simple, quick, and effective disinfection.
Key Features:
Effective Disinfection: Targets bacteria (excluding bacterial spores and mycobacteria), yeasts, and molds.
No Residue: Leaves no residue after application.
Eco-Friendly: Biodegradable and non-toxic.
Safe and Gentle: Non-allergenic and non-aggressive formulation.
Fragrance-Free: Contains no fragrance or coloring agents.
CTGB Approved: Authorized by the CTGB under approval number 14026N.
Applications:
Versatile Use: Ideal for disinfecting small surfaces, objects, and worktops (up to approximately 0.5 m²).
Food Sector: Perfect for commercial kitchens and other institutions in the food industry.
Other Sectors: Suitable for use in wellness centers, laboratories, and cleanrooms.
CMT Spray-Away Disinfection Alcohol provides a reliable and efficient solution for maintaining hygiene in various professional environments. Make it your choice for effective surface disinfection.
Content: 0.5 Liter (€17.90* / 1 Liter)
Available
Bottle brush 40 cm with plume
€2.55*
Universal model, suitable for wine- and beer bottles. nylon brushLength: 40 cmDiam.: 7 cmwith nylon plumeNote: Color may be different from the brush in the picture.
Available
Vikan Pipe Brush Medium w. Handle Green Ø40
€7.95*
Vikan Pipe Brush with Handle for Internal Cleaning
The Vikan pipe brush with handle is perfect for internal cleaning of pipes, tapping points, filling points, filling tubes, filling horns, bottles, funnels, and more. This Vikan pipe brush features hard fibres and has a diameter of 40 mm, ensuring effective cleaning.
Also available in other sizes and hardnesses.
Specifications:
Material: Polypropylene
Color: Green
Length: 500 mm
Width: 40 mm
Height: 40 mm
Brush Quality: Hard Fiber
Available
EasyWasher Bottle Mini 35 cm Multijet
€34.95*
Need to clean bottles? Easy Washer turns washing bottles into fun.Easy Washer is a spraywand wih 2m hose and gardena quick connect coupling.Connecting the Easy Washer to your water outlet is therefore very easy.The multijet wand (length 35 cm) fits all kinds of beer, wine and champagne bottles. The sprayhead delivers a powerful water jet in all directions.Also check out the Easy Washer demijohn big multijet of get an extra wand in case you want to clean carboys, demijohns of fermenters.Technical data: 2 m hose with gardena couplingmultijet sparaywand 35 cm lengthdiameter hose 0,4 cmdiameter wand 0,6 cm
few Available
Bottle Washer for 2 Bottles
€16.95*
Bottle washer with attachment for two bottles with 50 cm hose.
Specifications:
Material: plastic (food grade)
To be used for: beer bottles, wine bottles
Hose: PVC
Coupling: G3/4" (fits most standard taps)
Not Available
Bottle draining tree basic for 80 bottles
€18.95*
To drain and/or leave to dry 80 wine-or beer bottles max. after rinsing at the same time on 1 m² . Non rotating.Extra sturdy model. Color may vary, these poles will be delivered in red, yellow and green alternately.
Available
Turnable Bottle draining tree Luxe for 81 bottles
€32.95*
Drip rack to drain your freshly washed bottles:Suitable for max. 81 bottlesTakes up little spaceWith sturdy foot Rotatable.
Available
Flaschenfee 30 for 0.3l and 0.5l bottles
€409.95*
Introducing the Flaschenfee®: Revolutionizing Bottle Cleaning for Hobby Brewers
Are you tired of the tedious task of hand-cleaning each bottle before brewing? Say goodbye to the hassle with the Flaschenfee®, the ultimate insert for ordinary household dishwashers designed to make bottle cleaning a breeze.
Key Features:
Efficiency: Wash up to 30 bottles (0.3L and 0.5L) in one dishwasher cycle.
Convenience: After cooling down, bottles can be filled directly, streamlining your brewing process.
Ease of Use: The Flaschenfee® functions like a standard crockery basket, easily pulled out and pushed back into the dishwasher.
Automatic Water Connection: The water connection seamlessly links to the Flaschenfee®, ensuring optimal cleaning.
Quality Construction: Crafted from high-quality materials including acrylic glass and stainless steel for durability.
Food-Safe and Heat-Resistant: All plastics used are food-safe and heat-resistant, meeting the highest standards.
Easy Maintenance: All parts can be unscrewed, facilitating easy cleaning, and any blockages can be cleared in seconds.
With the Flaschenfee®, the time-consuming chore of hand-cleaning bottles is now a thing of the past. Simplify your brewing process, save time, and enjoy the convenience of effortlessly clean bottles for your next batch. Cheers to innovation in home brewing!
Please Note: Dishwasher connectors for your machine need to be ordered seperatly:
Connection kit Bosch/Siemens/Neff 1
Connection kit Bosch/Siemens/Neff 2
Connection kit AEG/IKEA/Zanussi
Connection kit BEKO/Elektra Bregenz
Connection kit Miele 1 (older generation machines)
Connection kit Miele 2 (new generation machines
Connection kit Bauknecht
few Available
Flaschenfee 25 for 0.3l - 0.5l and 1 lire bottles
€395.00*
Introducing the Flaschenfee®: Revolutionizing Bottle Cleaning for Hobby Brewers
Are you tired of the tedious task of hand-cleaning each bottle before brewing? Say goodbye to the hassle with the Flaschenfee®, the ultimate insert for ordinary household dishwashers designed to make bottle cleaning a breeze.
Key Features:
Efficiency: Wash up to 25 bottles (0.3L, 0.5L, 0.7L, and 1L) in one dishwasher cycle.
Convenience: After cooling down, bottles can be filled directly, streamlining your brewing process.
Ease of Use: The Flaschenfee® functions like a standard crockery basket, easily pulled out and pushed back into the dishwasher.
Automatic Water Connection: The water connection seamlessly links to the Flaschenfee®, ensuring optimal cleaning.
Quality Construction: Crafted from high-quality materials including acrylic glass and stainless steel for durability.
Food-Safe and Heat-Resistant: All plastics used are food-safe and heat-resistant, meeting the highest standards.
Easy Maintenance: All parts can be unscrewed, facilitating easy cleaning, and any blockages can be cleared in seconds.
With the Flaschenfee®, the time-consuming chore of hand-cleaning bottles is now a thing of the past. Simplify your brewing process, save time, and enjoy the convenience of effortlessly clean bottles for your next batch. Cheers to innovation in home brewing!
Please Note: Dishwasher connectors for your machine need to be ordered seperatly:
Connection kit Bosch/Siemens/Neff 1
Connection kit Bosch/Siemens/Neff 2
Connection kit AEG/IKEA/Zanussi
Connection kit BEKO/Elektra Bregenz
Connection kit Miele 1 (older generation machines)
Connection kit Miele 2 (new generation machines)
Connection kit Bauknecht
few Available