Sterilisation of bottles in dishwasher

[thesaintv12]

Does anyone sterilise bottles in the dishwaser only?

Having a baby I have read that the dishwasher can be used to sterilise baby's bottles as long as they run through the full hot cycle. If this is the case than it should do the same for my beer bottles right?

[Roger]

Hmmm, that reminds me, we used to sterilise baby bottles in the microwave.
Anybody used it for beer bottles?

Roger

[Roger]

I didn't intend on trying it DaaB the initial query reminded me of sterilising baby bottles this way and I was just curious

[mysterio]

You could try in the oven too.

[prodigal2]

You could try in the oven too.

I am lead to believe, that beer bottles are made with soda glass which is no good with high temperatures , and makes the glass brittle.

[thesaintv12]

Yep, don't use any rinse aid though as it sticks to the glass and ruins head formation and retention.

I have stopped using it anyway, I really can't tell the difference when it is in. Also a tip for all, break dishwasher tablets in half and make one last two washes. They clean better and save you ££'s a year if you have family dishes to do every day.

When I do the bottles I will report back and let you all know how it went.

[mysterio]

You could try in the oven too.

I am lead to believe, that beer bottles are made with soda glass which is no good with high temperatures , and makes the glass brittle.

Really - interesting. I've never tried it personally, I tend to fill mine with a dilute bleach solution and give them a soak when i'm not kegging.

[Aleman]

If using dry heat to sterilse then you are looking at 45 minutes at 170C, although I have seen times as long as 180 minutes quoted. and then allowing the glass to cool 'naturally' I believe that the issue is that this can ruin the 'temper' of the glass making them unreliable.

Personally a wash with dilute chlorinated cleanser, rinse, washing soda for stubborn stains, rinse, drain, betadine spray seems better than trying to use a dishwasher.

[thesaintv12]

Well, the dishwashed bottles have been fine. I used them for some TC and have opened about 25% of them. None have had any issues.

Beats cleaning and sterilising 40 bottles by hand! Just have to improve my siphoning technique now so that less ends up on the floor.

[agentgonzo]

I've sanitised bottles in the dishwasher quite a few times and had no problems. Dishwashers will get rid of particulate matter better than other methods of sanitisation too. I've had a problem with this before when a set of bottles that I'd just sanitised rather than dishwashed Vesuviused on me on a car trip, hitting the roof, the back of the driver's head through the headrest and the other passengers. All in all, I'd say that dishwasher's are the safer bet! Just leave the door closed until you need to fill them so no bugs get in.

Also, I've washed them with hot water only (no tablets, soap etc). The beer bottles were rinsed when used so there was no dried sludge in them. You shouldn't need soap as there should be very little grease on the bottles and as long as you don't do it with your normal washing up you should be fine.

[Prenderb]

Could you use the dishwasher (with rinse aid, if you don't really have a choice!) and then rinse the bottles after with tap water?

[irishmcbloke]

what about putting some VWP powder into the little dispenser in the dishwasher? Would that work? Also, does it matter if the bottles are bdry before bottling or will a wet bottle still be ok as long as all is sterile? I',m wondering about what the case may be if I just sterilise in the sink as normal but dont wait for them to dry????