Sterilisation and yeast rinsing

[ead101]

Based on Wolfies yeast rinsing advice I need to sterilise the following

Large jars x3
Additional jars for further rinsing
Clear beer bottles x3

What I want to know is how the heck you sterilise all this stuff easily. I did a yeast rinse with one jar and three bottles boiled in water for 20 mins but it used my biggest pan...and it would have been a lot easier with more jars available...there must be an easier way!

[vacant]

I bake washed and dried kilner jars in the oven, rubber sealing rings are obviously just boiled! As long as you don't do rapid temperature changes you should be fine

[ead101]

Sorry but can you tell what this involves.

[ead101]

Ok I've just re-read it

You wash the jars and then bake them dry... 120c ok for this for about 15 minutes?

[Wolfy]

You can bake them in the oven if you wish, but dry heat does not really sterilize well, so it takes a long time.
I usually 'cook' mine in a pressure cooker for 15 mins, but you could just boil them in a large pot for the same amount of time and most likely be Ok.

[ead101]

boiling in a pot is a pain in the butt and I'm reluctant to go pressure cooker...

how about putting them in with a tray of water in the oven at 150c and leave for 20-30 mins. will it steam sterilise?

[vacant]

Have a look at Tyndallization and the dry heat section of Sterilization in Wikipedia.

When I'm preparing to step up slants I boil wort in a borosilicate 2 litre flask directly on the gas hob.

Obviously there is a trade off - what's your time worth, what can you spend on kit, does it matter if you cut a few corners, increase the likelihood of contamination and lose a batch once every few years.

[gregorach]

boiling in a pot is a pain in the butt and I'm reluctant to go pressure cooker...

how about putting them in with a tray of water in the oven at 150c and leave for 20-30 mins. will it steam sterilise?

Not really, for proper steam sterilisation you need pressure. What you suggest will certainly help, but to achieve proper sterilisation in the oven takes time. I expect adding water would reduce the time needed from the standard 2hrs @ 160 deg C, but I couldn't say for certain by how much.

[ead101]

Ok

For me it's really about standing around boling massive amount of water from a time and energy point of view. I'd really like to avoid any contamination but I accept there's a pay off...

I think a pressure cooker is the way to go any links to cheap ass pressure cooker vendor would be appreciated.

[Wolfy]

boiling in a pot is a pain in the butt and I'm reluctant to go pressure cooker...

For me it's really about standing around boling massive amount of water from a time and energy point of view.

I'm not sure what you are doing, or what size jars you have, but I can easily fit the 3 jars I use in my pressure cooker - which is the size of a normal larger sized (4 or 5L) saucepan that you're likely to have in your kitchen. Putting the lid on, adding about 500ml to 1L of water, then boil them for 15 mins is ... well ... simple, easy and quick, and pretty energy efficient really, you likely boil more water each time you make a cup of tea.

[ead101]

I've not got a pressure cooker so I have to boil the jars in a saucepan and try and make sure the jars are submerged as much as possible. This takes up space and uses a lot of water.... I think a pressure cooker is the answer.

[gregorach]

I have a fancy electric pressure cooker which only needs a cupful of water for steam sterilisation - fully automatic, timed, the works. Very efficient. Not cheap initially right enough... But I couldn't actually find a more basic option when I went out shopping in my "must purchase today!" mode.

[ead101]

Fancy but might take a look!