What concentration of bleach (or Sodium hypochlorite) diluted in water is necessary to sanitize bottles?
How much time is necessary to keep the bottles immersed in the solution, or is sufficient to use a bottle washer that squirts the bleach inside of the bottles (commonly used with 'no-rinse' sanitizers like Star San, alcohol, etc)?
How much time is necessary to wait until the bottles can be used (filled) when not rinsed?
Crossing all information I take from you all, Palmer, Papazian, and sparse in internet, I tried 2 solutions being there very adherent to what is explained in the Papazien's book:
First of all, it cannot be used in metals (aluminium neither in stainless steal), and the home bleach need to have about 5% of Chlorine. I use it only in glass, plastic, hoses, ...
1) DEEP CLEANING: Use about 60ml of bleach in 20L of water (2 oz in 5 gallons). Immerse all objects to be cleaned and leave it there for 1 night (8 to 12 hours), of course you need to remove coarse dirt, before immersion. After the elapsed time, rinse them and they are ready to be used.
2) SANITIZE: Use about 5 to 10 ml (I prefer 10) in 20L of water (0.15 to 0.30 oz in 5 gallons). Immerse all objects (already cleaned) to be sanitized for about 30 min to 1 hour. As I use 10ml I always rinse them. But if I can leave them to dry for 1 night, I don't rinse (like bottles, and none off-flavors until now).
Oops! I need to say that I rinse using mineral water without chlorine.
According to this page, which was linked to recently on Basic Brewing Radio's facebook page, you can make no-rinse sanitizer with:
This info is apparently backed up by what Charlie Talley (Mr. Star San) said on a Basic Brewing Radio episode.
This chlorine dilution calculator from Public Health Ontario tells me how to get my brand of "Ultra Disinfectant Bleach", which claims to be 8.25% sodium hypochlorite, to 80 ppm. Using all this info, it appears that I could make no-rinse solution with:
And apparently this only needs 30 seconds of contact time. This almost seems to good to be true, but I intend to try it.
If rinse water is at a premium, you could spray a shot of sulphite solution in each bottle. This will release a burst of sulphite gas, and since the sulphite is slightly acidic (or acts as an acid; I'm not a chemist), it also neutralizes the (alkaline) bleach solution, making it easier to rinse out. I've used this method lots of times in the past with good results.
Try handling bleach solution some time, then shpritzing a bit of sulphite on your hands. You'll find it instantly gets rid of that unpleasant soapy feel. As a bonus, you get a roaring snootful of sulphite to clear out your sinuses.
I used to use bleach when i first started and would always rinse. I would soak the bottles for a couple hours thn rinse and let dry on a tree. I never had problems but decided that starsan or iodine no rinse solutions were easier and faster.
How to Brew by John Palmer recommends soaking equipment for 20 minutes, and says that rinsing isn't absolutely necessary for the recommended concentration. The concentration he mentions is 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 gallon of water (4 ml per liter).
I avoid bleach. I'm too worried about it introducing off flavors if it's not completely gone, and would only use it as a last resort.
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