New brewer question.

[Tarndt]

What type of dish soap is recommended for cleaning equipment before use and sanitatizing. I read in a book something like ivory but really can't find anything that has no scent

 

[Germelli1]

I use Oxyclean Versitile free. You can get big tubs of it at target or walmart or similar stores. The only thing I don't use it on is my aluminum pot.

You can use any dish soap just as long as you are sure to rinse off any residue!

 

[buffalobrewer]

soap won't sanitize. My favorite sanitizer is star-san as it's no rinse. If you go the cheap route and use bleach you need to get it all out using boiled or distilled water which is a pain. I use oxi clean to get gunk off of things, and it's great for bottle lables too.

 

[Revvy]

If I use anything but a hot water rinse I use an oxyclean soak and rinse after.

 

[Golddiggie]

For cleaning stainless, Bar Keepers Friend (BKF) does wonders. Rinses really easily too. Otherwise, I use PBW (Powered Brewery Wash) to clean items.

For sanitizing, I use StarSan on everything that needs to be sanitized.

You can get BKF in most grocery stores. PBW can be found in most LHBS's or online stores. Same thing with StarSan.

I actually mixed up some PBW in my SS kettle after Saturday's brew day (did this on Sunday) and let it soak. I also put in the silicon tubing I ran hot wort through, my grain bag (I use it to catch any grain that gets through the false bottom/bazooka tubes in the mash tun) and everything else I could think of. I even used it on my SS travel coffee mug and thermos. Last night I soaked the coffee maker carafe in it too. Does a great job in cleaning everything. :rockin: I drain it into the kitchen sink, which gets the added benefits there too.

I do realize that PBW is more expensive than oxiclean... They don't carry oxifree at the grocery store I visit, and the times I go past a wally-mart, I never remember to go in for any. It's also so easy to add it to my orders when I need more (PBW that is)... I measure 1oz per gallon for solution there.

 

[starrfish]

bleach. I know... but as a newb in an areas that my not have star san.... bleach it's cheap. a little goes a long way and a solid hot water rinse does the job. HOWEVER IF you can get your hands on starsan 1 oz to 5 gallon use about 3 times... swweeet. done a few ferms A few bottles... ran a quart through a keg... yes still viable

 

[cincyjrod]

Ok,
I have been using Iodaphor for sanitizing for years and ALWAYS just used a highly diluted formula of dish soap and water for cleaning. I was told to "try some oxyclean" and had a horrible experience re-cleaning most all of my equipment. (Keggle, corny, lines, tap, valves, etc.) This stuff stuck like glue to everything it touched, I assume because we soaked it? It formed in a small pile in the bottom of whatever it touched. It left a white film on every surface it came into contact with. (Glass, Aluminum, Stainless, Plastic) I will NEVER USE OXYCLEAN again! Now I did buy the Regular OxyClean and had I done more research maybe there is another BRAND>? But nothing I know of; as of now. I break down my lautering tun each time I brew and soak everything in a light bleach 2 tps - 5gal. water solution before rinsing. This is a safe amount of chlorine to use in LARGE situations.

 

[Golddiggie]

For those using bleach... It could be good for cleaning, or killing infections in hardware, but you won't find me (ever) using it to sanitize. IMO, it's pointless since you need to rinse with water after you use it. With things like StarSan, you don't need to rinse at all. IMO, you're better off using a no-rinse sanitizer than bleach any day of the week.

As for oxyclean issues... I didn't encounter any when I was using it (I had someone who was coming to a brew-day at my place pick some up). Of course, I probably diluted it further, and shook the hell out of it.

I've had great success using PBW. I mix it in warm/hot water and it fully dissolves by the time I'm done using it. No residue on the items either. Of course, I do a good job of rinsing what's cleaned with it.

If you've had bad experiences with oxyclean, I would suggest giving PBW a shot. Mix it at the concentrations on the container and see how you like it. I will say that I typically let it sit in the item being cleaned (or the item in it) at least overnight. mostly due to wanting to use it to clean other things over the following 24-48 hours. I've also had excellent results using it to clean my keg fermenters.

 

[Tarndt]

Thanks for the info lots to think about hope to be brewing first batch in two weeks after my vacation just a little nervous about cleaning an sanitizing

 

[Germelli1]

For the record, you can use bleach safely as a no-rinse sanatizer. Charlie Tally, the inventor of starSan gave his recipe for a bleach, no rinse sanatizer. 1 oz bleach, 5 gallons of water. Once that is mixed up (VERY IMPORTANT to mix once bleach is diluted in water), add 1 oz vinegar.

 

[starrfish]

most tap water is safe for rinse unless it's well water. been doing it for years... bleach after ferm, oxy to take out stains rinse, 5 gallon to sanitize bucket or 3 plus a cleaned keg.... left over to do a spray bottle.

 

[cincyjrod]

Golddiggie,

I will give PBW a shot. I have to sanitize quite a bit of hardware when doing large batches. PBW stands for??

Thanks.

 

[Golddiggie]

Golddiggie,

I will give PBW a shot. I have to sanitize quite a bit of hardware when doing large batches. PBW stands for??

Thanks.

From post #5 of this thread... "Powered Brewery Wash" made by the same people that bring us StarSan and other fine products. :rockin:

 

[Pascal]

What type of dish soap is recommended for cleaning equipment before use and sanitatizing. I read in a book something like ivory but really can't find anything that has no scent

I'm in a similar spot. I can't buy PBW or BKF locally. I’ve been using Sani-Brew for most of my cleaning since my HB shop carries it but it seems fairly expensive compared to others. Does anyone have experience with Sani-Brew? I use bleach on any glass gear and oxi-clean in/on kegs and such. For sanitization I’ve been ordering star san and I’ve been using it to san my kegs and beer lines. From earlier posts it seems that people are just rinsing their lines with hot water and then sanitizing but I’ve been changing up the beer per tap each batch. What should I be using to clean my lines between batches and should I stick with Sani-Brew for clean / Star San for san or could I use something like oxi for the cleaning side?

Thanks!
P.

 

[jmsanta]

for cleaning I take a dishwashing detergent let it soak a few minutes. For sanitizing I take for all my brewing equipment on the "cold side" of the process a foodsafe alcohol e.g. a cheap rum (54 %) a few minutes before use.

 

[Homercidal]

Ok,
I have been using Iodaphor for sanitizing for years and ALWAYS just used a highly diluted formula of dish soap and water for cleaning. I was told to "try some oxyclean" and had a horrible experience re-cleaning most all of my equipment. (Keggle, corny, lines, tap, valves, etc.) This stuff stuck like glue to everything it touched, I assume because we soaked it? It formed in a small pile in the bottom of whatever it touched. It left a white film on every surface it came into contact with. (Glass, Aluminum, Stainless, Plastic) I will NEVER USE OXYCLEAN again! Now I did buy the Regular OxyClean and had I done more research maybe there is another BRAND>? But nothing I know of; as of now. I break down my lautering tun each time I brew and soak everything in a light bleach 2 tps - 5gal. water solution before rinsing. This is a safe amount of chlorine to use in LARGE situations.

I have this same thing happen if I soak my stuff in oxi. The problem is the amount of minerals I think.

I've since learned to soak only overnight, and then I spritz everything with starsan, which is an acid, to remove any residue.


Also, I think bleach and acid is a good sanitizer, and it is no-rinse, but I believe you are supposed to let it dry completely before using, so the bleach has time to evaporate? I could be wrong there.

Bottom line - Bleach is not that effective as a killer straight up. It's great at bleaching, but it's only a very effective sanitizer if you mix some acid int here as well.

I will not use it. Starsan is so cheap and effective. I can mix 2 gallons up with distilled water and it will last MONTHS. That's .5 ounce.

Use with a spray bottle and collect any that I may pour in a bucket and siphon for sanitizing my hoses and CFC.