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**TheJadedDog** · 09-19-2006, 05:43 AM

Do you guys fill your fermentors completely or just use a few gallons and "wash" down the sides when you sanitize? I'm especially interested in how you sanitize your carboys as I will be using one for the first time.

Brewsmith · 09-19-2006, 05:57 AM

It's not necessary to fill them. Get a couple gallons in there and shake it up good. I do fill it up sometimes just so I have a good 5 gallons to go around for all phases of brewing. It gets reused and I store my empty carboys with sanitizer in them. When I need a quart or two for sanitizing small stuff, I just pour some out. Need to sanitize a primary? Pour it in and siphon back after. Get your money's worth.

Blender · 09-19-2006, 06:37 AM

After cleaning my carboys I just add a couple of gallons and shake it around so everything is coated. I put a rag over the mouth and shake on the floor. I do it a few times for insurance.

**Walker** · 09-19-2006, 01:26 PM

I fill'em. Iodophor is cheap.

disaffected · 09-19-2006, 01:40 PM

What solution strength do you use, Walker-san. Going by the instructions on the bottle, you need three milliliters per gallon, so that is 18 milliliters for a six gallon carboy. Actually 17.74 ml, based on 3/10ths fluid ounce (US) per three gallons. Do you use that much?

**the_bird** · 09-19-2006, 01:44 PM

Personally, I don't have the capability of measuring hundredths of a milileter, so I use one capful for 2.5 gallons

That's the recommended strength. Remember, you don't need to fill the carboy, it just needs to be sloshed around for a while (30 seconds or so) and it's all set; no need to waste.

Best article I've seen on Iodophor: http://www.bayareamashers.org/content/maindocs/iodophor.htm

disaffected · 09-19-2006, 01:55 PM

I just measured a capfull, full to the brim of the cap, and it came to 6.6 ml. A little less than my calculated 2.957 ml per gallon. YMMV, as a bottle cap is not a precise measuring device.

I can't measure to the hundredths of a ml either. Actually, I'm interpolating between the markings on the graduate to get tenths of a ml

I bet two capfuls per carboy is fine.

**the_bird** · 09-19-2006, 01:58 PM

You're saying 2 capfuls for a carboy; I'm saying 1 capful for 2.5 gallons - I think we're in agreement. There's just no need, from all that I've read, to actually FILL the carboy. It doesn't need to soak, it just needs about half a minute of contact time. And, 2.5 gallons is just about what I need to sanitize all of my other equipment, so it works out nice, once the carboy is done I can sanitize all my other gear and I've only used one capful for everything.

Cheesefood · 09-19-2006, 02:06 PM

1/2 oz for 5 gallons, but I usually fill closer to the top and dump in a half-oz.

I bought the Clorox instant sanitizer and I'm thinking of experimenting with that since it's a lot easier than filling and dumping.

Truble · 09-19-2006, 02:18 PM

Mine get a 2 day full soak with bleach (yes bleach) water AFTER I USE THEM to kill everything that might be in there. I then rinse, wash with soap and water and store. When I am ready to use, I rinse them, then spray the inside with my no rinse sanitzer (I think I am using Star San now) works great, and no issues yet. I do not use any bleach in the "pre" use cleanings anymore, but I do use it in the "post-op"- especially my plastic primary.