plastic jugs (bacon, sugarhill etc.)

[English River Maple]

Does anyone recommend rinsing the plastic jugs before filling them or are they good to go as is, right out of the box? Last year we rinsed them, but we are wondering if we could skip this step.

[Bobby]

I havent ever rinsed my jugs before bottling, havent had any problems yet. I use them right out of the box. But i am new to the hobby and am interested to see what others have to say, maybe i have been doing it wrong:confused:

[christopherh]

I always wash and rinse each jug, remember spiders like to hide in dark places.

[acadianmaple]

Unless you are packaging large volumes of syrup there really is no need to rinse or wash your jugs. If the jugs have been stored properly and are in a sealed bag a simple visual inspection is all that is needed. Another option is to blast them with a couple of seconds worth of filtered compressed air. If you do use water be very careful that the jugs are thoroughly dry before filling.

[PerryW]

it don't rinse them, but keep them in the plastic ban in the box in a rodent-free area. I tip each container upside down and give a whack just in case there is a little piece of plastic or foreign matter.

[English River Maple]

Thank you all for your input! Since I certainly agree that spiders do like dark places, we decided to rinse them quickly anyway as extra precaution. We don't move large volumes of syrup and decided the do the extra quick step to rinse them rather than to risk getting an unhappy customer.

Let the sap continue to pour!!! Good luck.