Filling line for heat-treating and filling a liquid into containers

A method for heat-treating and filling a liquid into containers using a filling line comprising a pre-heater, a heater, a cooler and a filling unit, the method comprising:

• pre-heating the liquid using the pre-heater;
• heating the liquid after pre-heating using the heater;
• cooling down the liquid after the heating using the cooler;
• and
• filling the liquid into the containers using the filling unit;
• wherein the filling line is suitable for both hot filling and cold filling, where a first liquid path from the pre-heater to the filling unit for hot filling differs from a second liquid path from the pre-heater to the filling unit for cold filling, and where the filling line comprises a switching mechanism for switching between the first liquid path and the second liquid path.