I'm as green as an alien

[brewprint]

I got two 5 gal glass carboys and they have some sort of contraption that goes in the cork. Haven't looked up what exactly it is yet.

Also got 2 plastic 5 gal carboys. one looks like it has sediments in the bottom. Might toss it, don't wan to to toy with unsanitary equipment, especially if it's plastic.

I would soak the plastic with oxiclean and clean them all with it.

Make sure that you use the proper brushes for cleaning. Plastic requires a different brush than glass. Your LHBS should be able to get you squared away on that.

 

[Peruvian802]

i would soak the plastic with oxiclean and clean them all with it.

Make sure that you use the proper brushes for cleaning. Plastic requires a different brush than glass. Your lhbs should be able to get you squared away on that.

+1

 

[Pappers_]

Here's the break down. I will try to clarify by not quoting anyone else . . .

Grain is mashed in a bag lining the pot for BIAB. Grain is steeped in a muslin bag for extract. Both extract and BIAB grains are steeped/mashed at the same temperatures and both have to be held. BIAB is 60 minutes and extract is 20-30.

A clarification - this implies that steeping grains for extract brewing and mashing grains for all-grain BIAB are the same thing. They are not. For example, temperature is critical in mashing - five degrees difference one way or the other produces a very different wort. Steeping temperatures, on the other hand, are not very critical, since you are only adding color and flavor, with no conversion of the sugars happening.

 

[Pappers_]

OP, for cleaning any of the older equipment, I find that PBW works great (your homebrew store will sell it). Use the hottest water you can and let the items soak. Rinse it well afterwards.