Sanitation Question

[LostPhoenix]

Hi Guys,

I am new to homebrewing and am getting ready to move my first brew (Chocolate Stout) for secondary fermentation with some chocolate.

I read to soak the chocolate nibs in vodka for a few days to bring out extra flavor, so I wanted to start the soak today for a sunday racking.

Here is my question. Since I have to wash and sanitize a container for the chocolate nibs to soak in, can I wash my carboy today at the same time, and just sanitize it before racking on Sunday?

It seems really silly to break out all my cleaning supplies for a mason jar.

Thanks!

 

[ob_1jr]

I wouldn't worry about sanitization of the mason jar...the vodka will do that just fine. Just make sure it is clean.

 

[LostPhoenix]

Thanks

 

[Calypso]

And yes, you can clean your container (carboy in this case) well ahead of when you'll use it. When you go to use it then, you can just give it a rinse and sanitize it.

 

[flars]

Hi Guys,

I am new to homebrewing and am getting ready to move my first brew (Chocolate Stout) for secondary fermentation with some chocolate.

I read to soak the chocolate nibs in vodka for a few days to bring out extra flavor, so I wanted to start the soak today for a sunday racking.

Here is my question. Since I have to wash and sanitize a container for the chocolate nibs to soak in, can I wash my carboy today at the same time, and just sanitize it before racking on Sunday?

It seems really silly to break out all my cleaning supplies for a mason jar.

Thanks!

Keep a gallon jug and full spray bottle of Starsan solution on hand for small jobs that come up.

 

[VulgarCelt]

Yes you can clean well ahead of time. I do all my cleaning immediately after use and then simply rinse / sanitize on the day I use the equip again.

The vodka will certainly sanitize the mason jar, just clean it first.

Also I think the vodkas primary purpose is to sanitize the nibs rather than extract flavor. But you may get a tincture from the nibs in vodka if you let them sit a while.

+1 on the spray bottle. It's a real time saver and it keeps a good long time.

 

[Nightstrife]

I also clean everything right after use, thus cutting down on scrubbing later. The. All I have to do is rinse and spray star san and the ready to go.
+1 for spray bottle 1$ at Walmart

 

[LostPhoenix]

Thanks guys. That is good to know. I will probably just clean everything I have since I don't like to waste the water!

 

[pablosbrewing]

Also - buy two spray bottles - fill the 2nd with water. Spray when the hot break foam threatens to boil over. Works 10X better than stirring to knock it down.

 

[Nightstrife]

I bought a bottle of FermCap for the hot break as I have a smallish brew pot. Works great!