[Philbrew]

I started a thread in bottling category to ask questions about bleach solution but I'm not getting much response so I'll try it here.

I've started soaking bottles (and fermenters) in Idophor solution after experiencing some late shelf life gushers.  But idophor is expensive and bleach is dirt cheap. 

-What is a good beach solution that would kill yeast? 

-What is a minimum soak time to do the job? 

-Will a good rinse in tap water and drain dry then a couple shots with Starsan in the Vinator just before bottling clear out any chlorine residue or taste?

[SWSommer]

I also immediately rinse a bottle after use. When bottling day comes, I wash with OxyClean (free--no fragrance), rinse with one of those bottle-washing gizmos I screw onto the faucet, let dry, and then soak in StarSan just before bottling. I've had no problems.

I agree.  In talking with my buddies who home brew, those of us who rinse the bottles immediately after pouring with hot water never have a problem with stray infection.  A good StarSan soak on bottling day, an inverted drain for an hour, and a spritz around the top just before bottling, and I am good to go.  I am on the 6th or 7th re-use of 4-5 cases, without any issues. 

[charles1968]

If you never clean bottles with a brush, you can get gradual build up of beerstone on the bottom after a few cycles of use - visible when held up to light. It's then quite difficult to get out, even with a brush. I now give used bottles a good rinse under the tap after pouring a beer and then put them in the dishwasher. Then just sanitize the good ones on bottling day and separate out the ones with beerstone for brushing or another run through dishwasher.

[steamyb]

My procedure for keeping bottles sanitized and clean is as follows.  I always have two five gallon buckets with a strong water bleach solution sitting in the basement filled with bottles.  Upon removing them from the buckets, I run them under tap water and give them a thorough rinse.  Place them in a rack upside down to dry.  Once dry, place them into cases and store until I need them.

On bottling day, I take these bleached bottles and give them a Starsan soak for three minutes or so and invert them once again for about five minutes.

Assuming water from the tap is sterile, can I skip the Starsan soak?

"Assuming water from the tap is sterile"
Bad assuming tap water is sterile- consider Flint, Michigan.

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[ethinson]

I also immediately rinse a bottle after use. When bottling day comes, I wash with OxyClean (free--no fragrance), rinse with one of those bottle-washing gizmos I screw onto the faucet, let dry, and then soak in StarSan just before bottling. I've had no problems.

This is similar to what I do.  I had some early problems with infected beers and bottle gushers and I got a lot more diligent with cleaning bottles.  I usually sink rinse the bottles after they've been drunk and store them away. And then a couple days before bottling day I soak them all in hot PBW/Oxyclean Free water for an hour or so.  Then I will rinse them well and let them drip dry on the bottle tree and then on bottle day fill the sink with star san water, soak about 5-6 bottles at a time.  Fill and cap them one at a time.  Usually not too bad for my small 2.5-3 gallon batches and my beer quality has improved.   

I'm also not opposed to buying the occasional case of new bottles for big comps like NHC. Every so often bottles leave circulation, get left at a meeting, friends house, get too gunky etc.

[PharmBrewer]

If it is a new beer bottle with label, I rinse out 3 times and then soak overnight in dishwasher detergent or Star San...  Label is completely off the next day. Rinse 3 times and store upside down.  Otherwise if mine, then rinse three times in water store upside down and sanitize with next brewing cycle.  Seems to work fine.