Cleaning and Sanitizing Questions...

[kfgolfer]

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone can clear this up for me. Is this statement true?
Is B-Brite more for cleaning and Star-San used for sanitizing???

In other words, I just bought new bottles from my LHBS. should I clean them with b=brite using the bottle brush and sanitize them in either the dishwasher on heat cycle or use star-san? and would I do the same thing cleaing my glass carboy I just used for primary??

 

[ajf]

B-Brite, PBW, Oxiclean, and Bleach all work well for cleaning. They all remove the gunk from primaries with little to no scrubbing. The first three work in an hour or so. Bleach is rather slower (like overnight). All of them should be thoroughly rinsed afterwards.

For new bottles from the brewing shop, hot water and dishwashing detergent should be all that is necessary, again followed by a good rinse. If you rinse the bottles out well after drinking, you shouldn't ever need any of the above cleaners for the bottles. If you forget to rinse the bottles, then any of the cleaners will work.

Starsan is a sanitizer, and should be used on previously cleaned items immediately before using those items. Some people use the sanitizing cycle on the dishwasher to sanitize bottles. I've tried it, and it takes forever for the bottles to cool. You either have a small carboy or a bigger dishwasher than I do if you can get the carboy in the dishwasher.

If you do use the dishwasher, remove all traces of Jet Dry before using it, and don't use any detergent.

-a.

 

[kfgolfer]

thanks Ajf. Great information!

 

[kfgolfer]

Is it best to use hot water or cold when using both B-Brite and Star-san?