Sanitizing Bottles--is it necessary?
Slate,
My condolences for your loss. Though my friend swears by using Cl, I just can't do it. The persisting odors just make me too nervous.
Better luck on your next brew,
Edds
Despite what most people think, ethanol (the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages) is not very good at killing bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. Most alcohol based sanitizers use isopropyl alcohol because it is more effective than ethanol at killing microorganisms. Additionally, it takes concentrations upwards of 70-80% alcohol to be most effective. So unless your beer or liquor has over 80% alcohol, don't rely on it to sanitize your bottles.
bwmcv2011 wrote:
Despite what most people think, ethanol (the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages) is not very good at killing bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. Most alcohol based sanitizers use isopropyl alcohol because it is more effective than ethanol at killing microorganisms. Additionally, it takes concentrations upwards of 70-80% alcohol to be most effective. So unless your beer or liquor has over 80% alcohol, don't rely on it to sanitize your bottles.
Not to be disrespectful, OK? But, my various texts indicate that while you are correct in stating isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol is more effective against bacteria than ethanol (grain) alcohol, that difference is only slight when the alcohol, either type, is not diluted with water.
So, while 91% isopropyl alcohol is sold at Wal-Mart, and it makes an excellent sanitizer for bottles, the remaining few drops in each bottle must be removed either by rinsing with water (not good), or allowing to evaporate, which exposes the bottle to new bacteria from the outside air.
90% (190 proof) ethyl alcohol is sold at your friendly corner liquor store. A small bit of it sloshed around in a bottle virtually kills everything in there that one needs to worry about. Poured out, the remaining few drops pose no problem; bottle the beer immediately and you have well-sanitized bottles with a few drops of drinkable ethyl alcohol added.
Isopropyl alcohol is poisonous to human beings, so must be rinsed from the bottle, if used. imp
i don't do anything other than pour some boiling water over my clean bottles shortly before bottling. Haven't lost a batch yet ..... i homebrew because i don't want any crap in my beer. Not even trace elements of it. IJust imagine, people have been brewing for centuries .... I can't imagine the monks in german monasteries brewing hefewizen used much sanitizer.
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