Sanitising as I go

[Aid]

Hi,

I've been trying to avoid the pain of bottling night, where I clean and rinse 40 odd bottles for a brew. To do so I have been rinsing the bottles as I drink them, then put a glug of 10% metabisulphite solution, topping with a twist of clingfilm. I was advised to use videne instead, but can I use it in the same way? Potentially, I'm leaving the bottles for 4 weeks or so...

Thanks,

Aid.

[Northern Brewer]

I agree that washing as you go makes bottling days easier. However, metabisulphate isn't really a sanitiser so you need to rethink your strategy. Personally I would store them clean and dry then sanitise on bottling day - a blast in the oven could be one option, and a no-rinse sanitiser another.

[Tequilla6]

Vidine is the way to go. Make a solution of say 1.2 Litre and pour into a clean 500ml bottle with a funnel to the top. Pour the next one and once done go back to the fist bottle and pour into the third. It will take around 30 sec a bottle which is more than enough time for the Vidine to do it's job. Once you have done all the bottles, go back to the first and pour out any excess Vidine solution that is still in the bottle and fill with beer. If you keep the bottles clean and you cap the tops before storage this is all you have to do. They do small plastic bottle reseals that are great for Crown cap bottles at most LHBS, if your not using the swing top bottles.

Cheers

[vacant]

PET bottles are rinsed/shaken as soon as they are emptied and all sediment removed. On bottling day I line them up in the bath and add 1/3 hot water to each, then shake vigorously and drain. Next I split a litre of Videne from a jug into three bottles, shake again for five seconds to get a froth and pour back into the jug, dipping the neck. Bottle are left to drain upside down in my 10 gallon boiler (I don't have a bottle tree). Repeat with the next three etc. Under 15 minutes to sanitise.

Caps are placed in a fresh jug of Videne solution and as I bottle I pick out a cap, shake, and screw on.

I believe Starsan froths even better, but I reckon I pass the 30 second contact time with my method.