# Bottling question **URL:** \ **Category:** Brewing Processes\ **Created:** [December 3, 2013, 3:13am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185 "2013-12-03T03:13:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![thirsty](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/thirsty/32/10334_2.png) [@thirsty](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/thirsty)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 3:13am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/1 "2013-12-03T03:13:50Z")
Do you sanitize the caps before you cap your bottles? I don’t, but I’m wondering if I should. No problems so far but I’m curious what you other bottlers do. ---
**Author:** ![stbloomfield\_gmail.com](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/stbloomfield_gmail.com/32/2417_2.png) [@stbloomfield\_gmail.com](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/stbloomfield_gmail.com)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/2 "2013-12-03T03:22:23Z")
Yep. I put starsan in a bowl and put caps in it while bottling. ---
**Author:** ![scarper11](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/scarper11/32/8961_2.png) [@scarper11](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/scarper11)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/3 "2013-12-03T03:31:59Z")
Yes. Always. ---
**Author:** ![fejjgw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/fejjgw/32/4173_2.png) [@fejjgw](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/fejjgw)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 4:02am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/4 "2013-12-03T04:02:02Z")
I put mine in a pot of water and heat it till it just boils then turn it off and let em hang out.  In hindsight i wonder if this is bad, we havent had a problem that i know of but im wondering if it damages the inside lining ---
**Author:** ![skatz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/skatz/32/6982_2.png) [@skatz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/skatz)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 4:15am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/5 "2013-12-03T04:15:45Z")
> [@](#): > > I put mine in a pot of water and heat it till it just boils then turn it off and let em hang out.  In hindsight i wonder if this is bad, we havent had a problem that i know of but im wondering if it damages the inside lining This was the norm before starsan. One of my first brewing books recommended it. Can’t remember if it was papazian or miller. ---
**Author:** ![erockrph](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/erockrph/32/13330_2.png) [@erockrph](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/erockrph)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 4:58am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/6 "2013-12-03T04:58:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Yep. I put starsan in a bowl and put caps in it while bottling. +1 ---
**Author:** ![ranchovillabrew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/ranchovillabrew/32/8203_2.png) [@ranchovillabrew](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/ranchovillabrew)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 5:50am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/7 "2013-12-03T05:50:07Z")
I always use o2 scavenging caps. I spray a handful of caps at a time with vodka from a squirt bottle. (A trick I learned while working at a winery). The o2 absorbing agent is moisture activated so you only want to sanitize the ones you will use. ---
**Author:** ![reverseapachemaster](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/reverseapachemaster/32/19_2.png) [@reverseapachemaster](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/reverseapachemaster)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 3:29pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/8 "2013-12-03T15:29:44Z")
I spray with starsan. ---
**Author:** ![jrdunne](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jrdunne/32/4550_2.png) [@jrdunne](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jrdunne)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/9 "2013-12-03T15:31:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Yep. I put starsan in a bowl and put caps in it while bottling. I do this.  I used to boil them.  This is so much easier. ---
**Author:** ![kramerog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/kramerog/32/19_2.png) [@kramerog](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/kramerog)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 3:32pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/10 "2013-12-03T15:32:41Z")
> [@](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Yep. I put starsan in a bowl and put caps in it while bottling. > > I do this.  I used to boil them.  This is so much easier. +1 ---
**Author:** ![thirsty](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/thirsty/32/10334_2.png) [@thirsty](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/thirsty)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 3:49pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/11 "2013-12-03T15:49:38Z")
Well, maybe I will start to sanitize the caps then. ---
**Author:** ![ajk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/ajk/32/6947_2.png) [@ajk](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/ajk)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/12 "2013-12-03T16:04:54Z")
I use the O2-scavenging caps but still keep them in a tray full of StarSan.  I know they activate when moistened, but I’d rather keep the number of steps for each bottle fill to a minimum.  I really dislike bottling! ---
**Author:** ![denny](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/denny/32/13092_2.png) [@denny](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/denny)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 4:43pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/13 "2013-12-03T16:43:44Z")
> [@](#): > > Yep. I put starsan in a bowl and put caps in it while bottling. Same here. ---
**Author:** ![denny](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/denny/32/13092_2.png) [@denny](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/denny)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/14 "2013-12-03T16:48:15Z")
> [@ranchovillabrew](#): > > I always use o2 scavenging caps. I spray a handful of caps at a time with vodka from a squirt bottle. (A trick I learned while working at a winery). The o2 absorbing agent is moisture activated so you only want to sanitize the ones you will use. Vodka as a sanitizer won’t work as well for beer as it does for wine.  Wine has more alcohol and a lower pH which makes it more resistant to infection than beer is. ---
**Author:** ![erockrph](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/erockrph/32/13330_2.png) [@erockrph](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/erockrph)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/15 "2013-12-03T16:59:34Z")
> [@ajk](#): > > I use the O2-scavenging caps but still keep them in a tray full of StarSan.  I know they activate when moistened, but I’d rather keep the number of steps for each bottle fill to a minimum.  I really dislike bottling! IIRC, it takes something like 24-48 hours for the caps to activate once wet, so you should be fine doing it like this without affecting the activity of the caps. ---
**Author:** ![tschmidlin](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/tschmidlin/32/3857_2.png) [@tschmidlin](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/tschmidlin)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 6:13pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/16 "2013-12-03T18:13:06Z")
> [@denny](#): > > > [@ranchovillabrew](#): > > > > I always use o2 scavenging caps. I spray a handful of caps at a time with vodka from a squirt bottle. (A trick I learned while working at a winery). The o2 absorbing agent is moisture activated so you only want to sanitize the ones you will use. > > Vodka as a sanitizer won’t work as well ~~for beer as it does for wine~~.  Wine has more alcohol and a lower pH which makes it more resistant to infection than beer is. Fixed that 😉 And it’s more expensive too.  I can see using it in a pinch, but given the price and effectiveness I use starsan. ---
**Author:** ![denny](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/denny/32/13092_2.png) [@denny](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/denny)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 6:56pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/17 "2013-12-03T18:56:12Z")
> [@tschmidlin](#): > > > [@denny](#): > > > > > [@ranchovillabrew](#): > > > > > > I always use o2 scavenging caps. I spray a handful of caps at a time with vodka from a squirt bottle. (A trick I learned while working at a winery). The o2 absorbing agent is moisture activated so you only want to sanitize the ones you will use. > > > > Vodka as a sanitizer won’t work as well ~~for beer as it does for wine~~.  Wine has more alcohol and a lower pH which makes it more resistant to infection than beer is. > > Fixed that 😉 > And it’s more expensive too.  I can see using it in a pinch, but given the price and effectiveness I use starsan. Thanks for the professional fix! ---
**Author:** ![slowbrew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/slowbrew/32/8927_2.png) [@slowbrew](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/slowbrew)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/18 "2013-12-03T19:25:22Z")
> [@denny](#): > > > [@tschmidlin](#): > > > > > [@denny](#): > > > > > > > [@ranchovillabrew](#): > > > > > > > > I always use o2 scavenging caps. I spray a handful of caps at a time with vodka from a squirt bottle. (A trick I learned while working at a winery). The o2 absorbing agent is moisture activated so you only want to sanitize the ones you will use. > > > > > > Vodka as a sanitizer won’t work as well ~~for beer as it does for wine~~.  Wine has more alcohol and a lower pH which makes it more resistant to infection than beer is. > > > > Fixed that 😉 > > And it’s more expensive too.  I can see using it in a pinch, but given the price and effectiveness I use starsan. > > Thanks for the professional fix! I’ve always wondered why I would waste vodka.  Of course I don’t buy Hawkeye (still the best selling brand in Iowa) but starsan seems cheaper and way more effective for sanitation. Paul ---
**Author:** ![ranchovillabrew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/ranchovillabrew/32/8203_2.png) [@ranchovillabrew](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/ranchovillabrew)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/19 "2013-12-03T20:45:07Z")
I use the vodka for this purpose primarily because it doesn’t lose potency sitting in a squirt bottle. I use Starsan most of the time though. ---
**Author:** ![kramerog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/kramerog/32/19_2.png) [@kramerog](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/kramerog)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185/20 "2013-12-03T21:13:28Z")
> [@ranchovillabrew](#): > > I use the vodka for this purpose primarily because it doesn’t lose potency sitting in a squirt bottle. > > I use Starsan most of the time though. Starsan doesn’t lose potency sitting in a squirt bottle. [Next page](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/bottling-question/15185.md?page=2)