joecav

Recipes 

I keep hearing/reading how important sanitization is but I have not seen any list of proper steps to take in sanitizing brew equipment. I just made my first batch and all I used was the LD Carlson No Rinse Cleaner that came in my equipment kit. Is that enough? I put warm water in the primary along with all brewing tools I would be using then added the no rinse cleaner. Mixed it all up, washed everything with a clean new sponge and let sit for 30 minutes then emptied the bucket out. Did I do enough or are there any important steps that I missed. The beer fermented properly and reached final gravity, I tasted it when we transferred to secondary and also when bottling and it came out fine. Did I sanitize properly or did I just get lucky that nothing infected my beer?

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Primary - None
Secondary - None
Bottled - American IPA
On Deck - Smokey Porter

schweaty

Recipes 

LD Carlson isn't technically a food grade sanitizer, it just cleans away heavy buildup and debis. You will want to sanatize with something like StarSan, Iodophor, or even diluted bleach (be careful with bleach). One step is very similar to OxiClean and/or Powdered Brewery Wash. I wouldn't worry about your first beer as I'm sure it will be fine. If all the equipment was new and you were careful in your brewing practices it will turn out just fine! I would, however, get into the habit of using a cleaner and sanatizer on your equipment.

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Spent Grain Dog Treats
My Brewery Build

K5MOW

Recipes 

Well I am very new just did my first 5 galon batch yesterday but have used Mr. Beer some. I think what you did is great. We will see what other more experienced brewers say.

Roger

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Primary: Welches Grape Wine
Primary: Blackberry Mead Melomel
Primary: Cream Ale
Primary: Texes Back
Drinking:Caribou Slobber
Drinking: IMPERIAL STOUT

K5MOW

Recipes 

Well I think it can be used as a sanitizer also. I was talking to Northern Brewers and that stated that Easy Clean LD Carlson can and is a good sanitizer to use.

Roger

__________________
Primary: Welches Grape Wine
Primary: Blackberry Mead Melomel
Primary: Cream Ale
Primary: Texes Back
Drinking:Caribou Slobber
Drinking: IMPERIAL STOUT

schweaty

Recipes 

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/sanitizer-question-54932/

Here is a good read that will help answer questions about sanatizers. The LD Carlson site is very vague but the description and packaging leads me to believe that it's just another sodium percorbonate type solution, ala OxiClean, Powdered Brewery Wash, and Straight-A. The packaging says its a "No Rinse Cleanser" and says nothing about sanatizing.

Another big difference is contact time when sanatizing with StarSan or Iodophor compared to One Step or other such no rinse products. I think the biggest thing about StarSan and Iodophor is that they require very little contact time and can be reused numerous times. Not to mention that a little bit goes a long way.

I suppose in the end it all comes down to personal preference but I think you will see that many people around here prefer to go with the two step method, cleanser and then sanatizer.

But hey, I'm no Northern Brewer and my experience with LD Carlson products is very limited

__________________
Spent Grain Dog Treats
My Brewery Build

Emmett

Recipes 

I used LDs cleanser exclusively for a while, now I use Star-San. When I switched it was because I was getting some funky flavors in every batch I made. I changed a few things for better sterilization so I'm not positive that was the problem.

schweaty

Recipes 

If the flavors went away after you switched it could have very well been the cause. I am cautious about no rinse cleansers because they can still leave a residual film on glass and plastic. I always rinse with water after cleaning and then sterilize with StarSan. Remember, don't fear the foam!

__________________
Spent Grain Dog Treats
My Brewery Build

superjunior

Recipes 

a spray bottle filled with starsan comes in real handy also

mfraier

Recipes 

+1000 to that. The great thing about star san is you can store it in a bucket with a lid and resuse over and over. I used bleach for a long time because it was what my first brewing book said to use.....once I switched to no rinse brewing was so much easier.

glenn514

Recipes 

I use a very diluted mixture of vinegar and bleach. One needs to be careful when mixing these two, but the mixture I use calls for 1/2 teaspoon of EACH to a gallon of water. I keep some in a spray bottle and liberally spray it on all surfaces that will contact the wort. So far, it has worked well for me, and it's really inexpensive.

glenn514