Cleaning a carboy - To scrub, or not to scrub

[MrBJones]

Generally speaking, do you use a brush when cleaning a carboy after it's been used to ferment -- assuming that no more than a few days have gone by? Or do you just fill it with water and add Oxi Clean (or something similar)?

 

[BrewerBrad82]

Both.

 

[kh54s10]

Glass or plastic? If plastic, DO NOT put a brush inside it at all. Oxyclean will loosen all the dried Krausen. Then if plastic you can insert a cloth and a couple cups of water and swirl it around to clean it.

If glass be very careful!!!!

 

[MrBJones]

Glass carboy. Not plastic.

 

[IslandLizard]

Warm water (never hot or boiling), and an ounce or 3 of washing soda. Let her soak for a day, then use the carboy brush. It all flies off. No need to waste Oxiclean or PBW on that.

Washing soda is my main cleanser. Dirt cheap and efficient. There where it counts I use PBW, like hoses, plate chiller, and other time-caked-on deposits. PBW works best when really hot, >170F.

Glass or plastic? If plastic, DO NOT put a brush inside it at all. Oxyclean will loosen all the dried Krausen. Then if plastic you can insert a cloth and a couple cups of water and swirl it around to clean it.

If glass be very careful!!!!

Listen to him.^

 

[hockeybrewer]

By washing soap do you me scent free dish detergent?

 

[ong]

By washing soap do you me scent free dish detergent?

Washing soda, not soap, aka sodium carbonate.

 

[Bradlo]

I have found that a dryer vent brush is good for light scrubbing. The bristles are softer and mine has a coated tip. For heavier krausen baking soda eats it away quickly.

 

[dand]

Glass or plastic? If plastic, DO NOT put a brush inside it at all. Oxyclean will loosen all the dried Krausen. Then if plastic you can insert a cloth and a couple cups of water and swirl it around to clean it.

If glass be very careful!!!!

This is what I do. Who has time for brushing and scrubbing, let the oxyclean do the work for you!