Cleaning and Sanitisation

1. The Basics of Cleaning and Sanitisation

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   First post by BIABrewer, 16 years ago

   

   [Like all, The Basics, in the General Brewing Skills section, the following is not a definitive guide. It is simply a guide that will get a new brewer under way safely and with confidence. Please advise BIABrewer of any errors. Please justify, in full, any contrary topics that you may choose to start in this forum. If well-written and justified, they will be, promoted, as best as we are able.]
   
   All brewers, new and experienced, are encouraged to start new topics in this section provided they...
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   Last post by BIABrewer
   16 years ago
2. craft master keg cleaner

   7 Replies 36489 Views

   First post by Jamato, 9 years ago

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   so I saw this at my local HBS, it was new to me,
   I was wondering about the chemical content
   
   Chemical Name CAS No. Concentration % by Weight
   Sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate 15630-89-4 30-40%
   Trisodium Phosphate 7601-54-9 10-20%
   Sodium Metasilicate 6834-92-0 ≤ 5%
   Benzenesulfonic acid, mono-C10-13-alkyl
   derivs., sodium salt
   
   is any of that reactive with stainless Steel?
   
   they recommend mixing up solution and letting sit in the container for a hour.
   was wondering just how it reacts with metal.

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   I used the stuff today
   put it in and one hour later it had done an amazing job just sitting there, I finished the cleaning with a brush and sponge having to add no new cleaner.
   I then rinsed twice and then used starsan as a no rinse sanitizer. It came out nice.
   
   Next time I am just buying the oxicleaner everyone posted about, this was a bit pricey. I have to say it is worth it, but if I can get the same stuff for a lot less then I will.
   
   What amazed me was I grabbed a keg I had gotten years...
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   Last post by Jamato
   9 years ago
3. Elastoplast Off Flavour -I feel ready to quit homebrewing

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   First post by non.operational, 11 years ago

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   Hello all,
   
   I am posting at a complete loss.
   I took up home brewing in Jan 2012, using BIAB, had over a year of great homebrew (11 or 12 batches), and considered myself to be quite a good brewer. Then something happened -I have been plagued by some sort of contamination, and by my reckoning have now dumped EIGHT batches due to this elastoplast/bandaid off flavour. That's basically eight months of brewing, time money and effort wasted.
   
   I brew all grain in a stainless steel pot with a propane...

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   I hope that Non-Operational has not given up. All the variables discussed so far include the usual suspects and then some. Experience from my former job might open some more possible problem sources. If you made good beer at your new location before things went South, something changed and your super sanitising efforts haven't overcome that change.. Local wild yeast invading your batches is an interesting theory, but inverted empty bottles, covered vessels and proper pitch rates & temperatures...
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   Last post by ShorePoints
   11 years ago
4. Can I re-use these containers?

   7 Replies 16798 Views

   First post by broonzy, 11 years ago

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   Hi all,
   
   I have four HDPE 25 litre Jerry can style containers that I'd like to re-use for no chill storage or fermentation.
   
   Problem is, they've previously been used to transport heating oil (Kerosene), all containers were rinsed after use and then stored for a good while now. I've checked that they are all clean but they still smell of fuel.
   
   Can anyone recommend a cleaning regimen or advise if the fuel could have somehow contaminated the plastic itself?
   
   I guess I'm asking that if I can get...

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   Broonzy.
   
   Below is what I use. I don't know where you are located but something similar?
   
   Search the internet for No-Chill and search YouTube for No-Chill.
   See the video at the end.
   
   No-chill-fermentation.jpg
   7 Replies
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   Last post by BobBrews
   11 years ago
5. Sodium percarbonate

   3 Replies 12142 Views

   First post by onkeltuka, 11 years ago

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   I bought a box of sodium percarbonate. Could I use it to soak my siphon and hoses? What would be a proper concentration?

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   hmm.. mine says purity >30%. Maybe I'll use 50g/liter? I've been using it today to clean old labels off of bottles. Some labels come off so that you are left with a sticky layer of glue; percarbonate takes care of that quite nicely.
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   Last post by onkeltuka
   11 years ago
6. micron filters

   9 Replies 18712 Views

   First post by rbcon2, 11 years ago

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   Hello brewing friends,
   
   The Mad Scientist and I were having a conversation about filtration and air contamination. This is likely to occur during the vacuum release of the No Chill It seems to me that this is one of the places that contamination/infection can get into the wort. Having a business in rowing exotic mushrooms I am constantly watching for this problem.
   
   Yeast and mycelium are very close from the stand point of how each work in their respective environments.
   
   In the production of...

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   Hey there Roger,
   
   Sorry I missed your location before. It's at the top of your posts now for sure so I'm probably just going mad/der :lol:.
   
   Short on time so I can't really afford to write detailed answers atm as the sort of time/concentration required for these sort of answers is time that is taken directly away from BIABacus work unfortunately. I also want to write this chilling stuff up far better (and define it/name it better) than what I'll jot down here now. Anyway, hopefully it and...
   9 Replies
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   Last post by PistolPatch
   11 years ago
7. Cleaning bag

   11 Replies 21079 Views

   First post by Three3Beer, 12 years ago

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   Just wondering how people clean thirst their brewing bag after brewing. I've brewed five batches so far and my brewing bag smells a little.
   
   After brew day I run the brewing bag under water to get all the grain out and then let it dry. I guess I could use PBW to clean it, or maybe star san? (those are the chemicals I have)
   
   Thanks!

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   Sweet! Just started a new job so I haven't had time to brew. I'm getting the itch to though!
   
   Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk
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   Last post by Three3Beer
   12 years ago
8. Cleaning & sanitising bottles?

   8 Replies 18525 Views

   First post by James, 12 years ago

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   Hi all,
   
   I wonder if anyone can offer advice on cleaning regimes for bottles..
   
   For the last 3ish years I've rinsed bottles out straight after using them with water a few times prior to storing. I then sanitizer with starsan and then drain before refilling. I've never had a problem with this method but should I be scrubbing them as well? If so with what? Can the dishwasher do the job for me also?
   
   Thanks all,
   James

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   I soak at least 24hrs in Oxy Clean, this removes most labels and glue wipes off pretty easily. I also scrub with bottle brush before removing from a 30 gallon tub (half full of liquid at most).
   
   After a recent dishwashing cycle, I'll load it full of bottles and run it on the heat cycle with no soap. Then, I store them after leaving them to dry a bit.
   
   On bottling day I'll soak them in star san for a few minutes, hit with bottle brush again ... drain/rinse and fill then cap immediately....
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   Last post by Rick
   12 years ago
9. Sanitizing with Iodophor

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   First post by bionut, 12 years ago

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   Hello guys!
   Can those of you who use iodophor for sanitizing tell me how it works? I mean, it really stains the plastic parts? If so, are the stains very bad or just a bit of change in color?
   Until now i have used Chemipro OXI but now i find that iodophor can be a bit cheaper and, i hope, a bit efficient also (i had an infected beer the last time i brewed, so i want to improve my sanitizing)
   Does any of you know if Iodophor is stronger/better than Chemipro OXI? (European brewers should heard...

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   For my last brew i used bleach+vinegar sanitizer :-D
   
   One no-rinse sanitizer as mentioned on HBT is (1 oz. bleach/5 gallons water/1 oz. vinegar).
   
   Mix 1 oz bleach in 5 gal water, then add 1 oz vinegar; 30 seconds minimum contact/soak time, and don't rinse.
   Mixing bleach and vinegar can be dangerous... ceck this
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   Last post by sokinsilihok
   12 years ago
10. Longevity of Sodium Metabisulphate

    8 Replies 19611 Views

    First post by Homemade, 12 years ago

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    Under advisement from my LHBS I currently leave 1litre of water with 1tbsp of Sodium MetabisulphateI in the bottom of my fermenters and no chill containers between uses. This is to prevent any bacterial growth. I usually then toss this when I use the container. However I am getting stingy in my old age and am looking to reuse these solutions.
    
    This stuff really whiffs and stings your eyes and nostrils when you first open the container which I take is a sign it's still in good nick but I am not...

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    Thks again for the input, I do what skink does and now I understand it is the fumes that sterilise. I must admit I hate them and did not realise this wasnt widely used in brewing. Having to rinse with boiling water annoys me as well.
    
    I just assumed all sterilisers had a whiff, chlorine, Bleach (which is just weak chlorine anyway), etc all smell.
    
    Again this forum has educated me.
    
    Thanks
    8 Replies
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    Last post by Homemade
    12 years ago
11. Simple ideas to save on cleaning chemical.

    4 Replies 12830 Views

    First post by PistolPatch, 12 years ago

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    I've always thought that cleaning/sanitisation is totally under-thought in home-brewing. Am short on time atm (BIABrewer is working me to death) so won't write this post out perfectly but I'm pretty excited about the following...
    
    I just did a brew with Nottingham which must be the biggest bastard of a yeast to clean up after. Last night I even tried scraping at the krausen line with my fingernail and was amazed that the stuff still wouldn't come off. I had resigned myself to filling the whole...

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    I usually just spray the inside of the fermenter with a fine jet of water from the garden tap, this takes off most of the krausen layer. I then wipe the thing out with a microfibre cloth then give it another hose with hot water to rinse the crap out. I then spray the whole thing with idophore. Done. Never had an infection (touch wood)
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    Last post by Aces high
    12 years ago
12. Electric Kettles

    1 Replies 10202 Views

    First post by AJ Lenkowski, 12 years ago

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    For those that have electric elements in their kettles:
    
    Do you unscrew the element and pull it from the kettle after every brew for cleaning? Intellectually it sounds like that's the way to go (clean clean clean everything always), but I'm wondering if it's overkill?
    
    Thanks,
    
    AJ

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    Mine has a water heater element in it, I just give it a scrub with a scotchbrite pad to remove any grunge while I'm cleaning my pot, and then rinse. No need remove as it's easily accessible.
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    Last post by thughes
    12 years ago
13. Can PBW be Used to Clean Beer Lines?

    7 Replies 24475 Views

    First post by hashie, 15 years ago

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    Just a quick question, can I use PBW to run through my beer lines to clean them and my beer gun?
    
    Thanks

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    I just wanted to post here to clean things up a bit, that's all. :evil:
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    Last post by Lylo
    13 years ago
14. Kegging Shortcuts

    17 Replies 27481 Views

    First post by GuingesRock, 13 years ago

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    Washing and sanitising kegs, has taken over from bottling as being the bane of my life. I’d rather be brewing and being creative. It’s like being stuck with the washing up after cooking a great meal. I need Help!...please!
    
    1. Does anyone have any good time efficient tips on cleaning and sanitising kegs please?
    
    2. Does anyone fill a keg when it becomes empty, right away, without cleaning and sanitising, on occasion. I did it once with a test batch I wasn’t worried about and got away with it....

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    Both, One Step came with a start up kit when I first started brewing. I bought more when it was gone and when that was used up I wanted to try something else and I tried StarSan. I never looked back! The only infections I had were from a leaky connection on my immersion chiller. Now I no-chill and am infection free!
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    Last post by BobBrews
    13 years ago
15. H2O2

    12 Replies 25020 Views

    First post by GuingesRock, 13 years ago

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    Does anyone know anything about using hydrogen peroxide to sanitize the kegs and the lines. I believe it is used in commercial brewing, but don’t know if it is used on a small scale. Hydrogen peroxide is nice to work with and degrades to oxygen and water only which obviously are harmless (I wouldn’t want it to oxidise the beer though). At the biochem lab where my wife works they have moved over to hydrogen peroxide for sterilizing for the same reasons. I believe it would be diluted in water...

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    Listening to it (supposed to be doing chores though)
    Interesting :think:
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    Last post by GuingesRock
    13 years ago
16. Re-using Starsan

    15 Replies 31434 Views

    First post by jrodie, 15 years ago

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    How many times or for how long can Starsan be re-used? Could you make a 5 gallon batch and keep dunking brewing equipment in it over and over again to sanitize them? Would it eventually expire or be used up?

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    I wouldn't bother trying to re-use starsan either, you use such a small amount, it lasts for ages.
    
    I make up 5 litres on kegging day. This sanitises my keg, bottles, all other equipment and the fermenter ready for the next brew.
    5ml makes 5 litres, 1 litre of starsan is going to last more than a year, cheap as chips.
    
    Should actually be 7.5ml for 5L
    
    I use 4.5ml for 3L
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    Last post by stux
    14 years ago
17. Is there a cheaper alternative to Starsan?

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    First post by Crusader 83, 15 years ago

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    First, Let me start by saying I am a tight wad; With that said, I recently discovered two things 1) Avery inexpensive alternative for Iodophor in the form of teat dip at a local farm store. 2) Starsan; I like this product over Iodophor because I don't care for the iodine stains although given the cost difference I can learn to live with them. I was wondering if there are any inexpensive products out there that are similar to Starsan?
    
    Thanks for any feedback.

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    Yeah, I could....
    
    But I really need the three litres on brew day because I sanitize 4 cubes at once, any left over goes into a soak bucket which I then use to refresh my kegerator spray bottle.
    
    I could keep the sanitizer around but i toss it as storing a bucket of sanitizer is something I don't need to do and I have a toddler and my water chemistry means it goes cloudy quickly.
    
    On brew day I don't need that much, but again WTH and Keg day I sometimes use less.
    
    So I guess worst case...
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    Last post by stux
    14 years ago
18. Coles ultra booster plus

    6 Replies 21920 Views

    First post by Kingy, 14 years ago

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    I use pbw to clean but know a lot of people use napisan to clean there gear. I have used napisan before but found this stuff and was wondering if anyone uses this as it was cheaper.
    Its Coles ultra booster plus. Doesn't say anywhere That its scented but its gotta fairly strong smell.

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    Just an update on this, been using this Coles ultra booster without any problem at all. Even removes the faint wort smell from no chill cube that was still around when napisan was used.
    And for the price $2.70 I'll continue to use this for a long time.
    P.s i always follow up with starsan.
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    Last post by Kingy
    14 years ago
19. Is it really no rinse?

    11 Replies 21588 Views

    First post by Lylo, 15 years ago

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    Having started brewing in Canada in the late 1980's there was no such thing as the internet or user forums etc.You could hardly find dextrose!
    My knowledge was strictly what Uncle Charlie Papazian said, and I still believe in his word as the fall back if I'm not sure of something.My edition of TCJHB was published in(I think 1987).
    BTW I have lots of Zymurgy mags of the same era.(cool reading now)
    Charlie always professed that household bleach was a good sanitzer.Now that I have switched to...

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    Do not rinse, the foaming layer is a protective layer on the inside of whatever you have just sanitised. If you rinse it you are doing two things, removing the protective layer of foam that will stop any airborne stuff landing on your sanitsed surfaces and you are also reintroducing non-sterile water.
    
    The foam freaks some people out, I love it.
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    Last post by EoinMag
    15 years ago
20. Cleaning dirty ball valve/connections

    4 Replies 14267 Views

    First post by Squared, 15 years ago

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    Hey gang,
    
    I have inherited 3 stainless keggles with ball lock valve welds and thermometers inserted. Lucky me!
    
    I have taken on the challenge of cleaning them through well before they are used. They were pretty dirty, have old spent grains in them, dark stains, etc. They are basically a mess and I tisk tisk the previous owner for not cleaning post brew.
    
    I've so far pulled apart the ball lock and fitting components.
    
    What sorts of cleaners should I use? There are stainless fittings and brass...

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    And it also neutralizes the alkaline cleanser if you didn't rinse it thoroughly enough
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    Last post by stux
    15 years ago
21. Hoses

    2 Replies 12418 Views

    First post by Two If By Sea, 15 years ago

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    How do you guys clean, sanitize, and store your siphon hoses? I'm always a little nervous with mine when I can see moisture in them days after I've washed and/or rinsed them. I usually stick the whole hose in sanitizer right after I transfer wort or beer then I plunge the sanitizer with my autosiphon through it a number of times. I then whip the hose around in the air and hang it up to dry. On brew day, I do the same with my cleaning solution then again with my sanitizer just before I transfer....

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    I have a silicone hose for transferring hot wort to the no chill cube. This gets cleaned after transferring, and cleaned before brewing, both times with sodium pre-carbonate.
    
    My vinyl hose for racking to secondary and keg, gets soaked in cleaning solution the day before. Then when I fill my secondary up with idophor to sanitize, I firstly rinse the tube then hook the hose up to the tap and drain the idophor out through to a small bucket and into a spray bottle. I then submerge the hose in the...
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    Last post by outbreak
    15 years ago
22. What's the Effect of Microwaves on Airborne Organisms?

    5 Replies 16976 Views

    First post by LloydieP, 16 years ago

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    From a sanitation perspective, and without the effect actual heat, how much exposure to microwaves (domestic oven type) can airborne organisms (yeast/lacto types) handle?
    
    Cheers
    
    Lloydie

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    Thanks for the thread Lloydie and the link JVD.
    
    I have a lot of John Guest fittings such as can be seen here.
    
    I have never worked out a way of sterilising these fittings in a manner where I am truly sure they will be sterilised.
    
    Would the stainless steel collet pose a problem with me microwaving them or do modern microwave ovens no longer have this sparking metal problem?
    
    Thanks again,
    PP
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    Last post by PistolPatch
    15 years ago