How to sanitize glass bottles?

Glass is a great material for storing food and drinks. It's recyclable, looks beautiful, and comes in thousands of different styles, so it's easy to get the packaging you need. It's also reusable, making it a great choice for many home food producers as well as businesses both large and small. But whether you're reusing bottles or using new ones, we always recommend sterilizing your containers before you put beer, wine, jam, or any other food in them. Yes, even brand new glass bottles and jars should be sterilized before use. And since we're experts when it comes to glass, we've put together this guide to show you how to sterilize glass bottles.

Why do I need to sterilize my glass bottles?
Firstly, you may have heard that sterilizing your glass bottles is important, but you may not know why. Sterilizing ensures that your produce is clean enough to keep your food fresh for as long as possible. If you don't sterilize your bottles, it's easy for bacteria to get into the nooks and crannies of your glassware and quickly ruin your produce.

 

How does the sterilization process work?

There are two main ways to sterilize glass bottles: by heating or by washing.

 

When you sterilize glass bottles with heat, the temperature reached will eventually kill any harmful bacteria in the bottle. Be aware - if you use this method, you will need oven gloves and a heat-resistant container. You will also need to check that your bottles can withstand the heat without cracking or shattering - not all glass is created equal in this regard.

 

If you have a dishwasher with a high-temperature setting, you can also use it to sterilize your bottles. This is easier than heating in the oven - just set the rinse cycle and use the bottles at the end of the cycle. However, not everyone has a dishwasher - and even if you do, the rinse cycle uses a lot of water, so it's not the most environmentally friendly sterilization option.

 

How to sterilize glass bottles?

Important! Before you get started, make sure your bottles can withstand temperatures up to 160 degrees Celsius.

 

To begin any of these processes, scrub the bottles with soap and water.

 

In the oven

Heat the oven to 160°C.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the bottles on the baking sheet.
Place in the oven for 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven and fill as soon as possible.

 

In the dishwasher

Heat the oven to 160°C. Place the bottles separately in the dishwasher (do not use used dishes).
Set the dishwasher to a hot rinse cycle.
Wait until the cycle is over.
Remove the bottles from the dishwasher and fill as soon as possible.

 

You can also sterilize glass bottles and caps or lids using any of the methods above. If your lids are made of plastic, do not place them in the oven unless you know they are safe. If you need another way to dispose of the lids, you can boil them in water for 15 minutes.

 

Once your bottles are sterilized, it is important to fill and seal as soon as possible to avoid any bacteria getting back into the bottles after the process is complete. However, safety should always be the first priority! Make sure to wear oven mitts when handling bottles and lids, and keep children and pets away from the kitchen until your bottles are securely sealed.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the bottles on the baking sheet.
Place in the oven for 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven and fill as soon as possible.