Sanitizer Question....

CornyKegs 728
Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
I feel like I have the sanitizing process down well, but my question is on handling of sanitized objects. If you have odd shaped equipment like the siphon cane where you can't just pull it out of a bucket, what do you do to keep it sanitized until done? Also, what about your own hands? star-san suggests using gloves. Do you glove up and dip your hands in the sanitizer?

Thx in advance.
 
cstrub said:
I feel like I have the sanitizing process down well, but my question is on handling of sanitized objects. If you have odd shaped equipment like the siphon cane where you can't just pull it out of a bucket, what do you do to keep it sanitized until done? Also, what about your own hands? star-san suggests using gloves. Do you glove up and dip your hands in the sanitizer?

Thx in advance.
Click to expand...

I will not claim I am RIGHT but I just use my bare hands honestly, it dries them out but it won't kill you
 
I am based in the UK and use a sanitiser called VWP as it's widely available in all my LHBS. It recommends complete immersion for 5-10 minutes to sanitise items.

I am impressed by all talk of Star san, especially as it kills almost everything in less than 30 seconds. I have just looked, but cannot see an outlet that sells this in UK.

Have any UK users managed to find a supplier for this?

Cheers
 
Adam's Apples said:
I am based in the UK and use a sanitiser called VWP as it's widely available in all my LHBS. It recommends complete immersion for 5-10 minutes to sanitise items.

I am impressed by all talk of Star san, especially as it kills almost everything in less than 30 seconds. I have just looked, but cannot see an outlet that sells this in UK.

Have any UK users managed to find a supplier for this?

Cheers
Click to expand...

PM Orfy, he would know...
 
Gave my one-step($12) to my son. I like bleach, it's cheap and effective and my wife always has some by the washer.
 
I actually used a no rinse sanitizer for my first time this week. I believe it was Iodophor. I know I used the right amount, but I let it sit for about a half an hour while my grains were steeping. Is that way too much time and will it affect my brew?
 
MacGruber said:
I actually used a no rinse sanitizer for my first time this week. I believe it was Iodophor. I know I used the right amount, but I let it sit for about a half an hour while my grains were steeping. Is that way too much time and will it affect my brew?
Click to expand...


No it won't affect your brew, but you don't need to soak stuff for a half hour...30 seconds wet contact will do...if you haven't actually read this thread, then do so. :D
 
Revvy said:
Oyclean???

Yeah it's the Billy Mays stuff...it is amazing as a cleaner...I've had nothing not be clean by it in the brewing process...even the things that sit below the heating elements on the stove....I had a boilover, and immediatey after put them in a bucket full of oxyclean and hot water....it took a couple of changes of water and oxyclean but it came clean..

You can even soak the labels of beer bottles in a few hours.
Click to expand...

Oxyclean is a blend of sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate. I believe the ratio is 70% percarb and 30% carb. It is an excellent cleaner of anything that's organically occuring. It is best used in warmer/hot water. It is not a sanitizer.

Is starsan a bleach derivative, alcohol based solution or maybe a quaternary ammonium compound?
 
how long does one step last stored in a bucket?

will it last 2-3 weeks till bottling time or will I need to remix a fresh

batch?
 
Revvy,

I was reading through this thread yesterday. You and some others are using Oxiclean to clean up after brewing. Consider using a couple of drops of generic manual dish soap in that Oxiclean solution. It will increase the wetting times and allow you to use less Oxiclean. $.02
 
OhioGuy said:
Revvy,

I was reading through this thread yesterday. You and some others are using Oxiclean to clean up after brewing. Consider using a couple of drops of generic manual dish soap in that Oxiclean solution. It will increase the wetting times and allow you to use less Oxiclean. $.02
Click to expand...


Hmmm I'll have to try that.

Thanks.
 
Revvy,
I saw you were getting your Iodophor at a Ranch supply shop. Are you getting actual Iodophor or an iodine product? I've been into one local one and can get iodine but not Iodophor. Also, is there a time limit on how long a 5 gal mixture of Iodophor will last or do you just use test strips to occasionally check the concentration?
 
snowbum007 said:
Revvy,
I saw you were getting your Iodophor at a Ranch supply shop. Are you getting actual Iodophor or an iodine product? I've been into one local one and can get iodine but not Iodophor. Also, is there a time limit on how long a 5 gal mixture of Iodophor will last or do you just use test strips to occasionally check the concentration?
Click to expand...

No not Iodophor....Concentrated iodine teet and dairy sanitzer, antiseptic...

Dionne Gentle Iodine...

2209723.jpg


It doesn't last too long using tap water...no more than 24 hours...It lasts longer in a sealed container when mixed with RO water...THat's why a lot of us use a spray bottle with it...you really don't need to mix 5 gallons of EITHER iodophor or Starsan...THey have quick kills and are wet contact...so you can use a spray bottle, or mix up a couple gallons and swirl.

With iodine based ones you can go by color...when it looses the straw color than it's time to dump or prime with more iodine...
 
Revvy said:
No not Iodophor....Concentrated iodine teet and dairy sanitzer, antiseptic...

Dionne Gentle Iodine...

2209723.jpg


It doesn't last too long using tap water...no more than 24 hours...It lasts longer in a sealed container when mixed with RO water...THat's why a lot of us use a spray bottle with it...you really don't need to mix 5 gallons of EITHER iodophor or Starsan...THey have quick kills and are wet contact...so you can use a spray bottle, or mix up a couple gallons and swirl.

With iodine based ones you can go by color...when it looses the straw color than it's time to dump or prime with more iodine...
Click to expand...

something like this?
Tractor Supply Company - Dairyland Controlled Iodine Teat Dip 1/2%
 
OhioGuy said:
something like this?
Tractor Supply Company - Dairyland Controlled Iodine Teat Dip 1/2%
Click to expand...

Well that's 1/2 percent.....I get this one, that's 1%

Tractor Supply Company - Dionne Gentle Iodine 1%, 1 gal

IIRC iodophor is 1.5% so I kick it up to 1.5 TBS/5 gallons.


I treat it like IO Star...The Iodine based Sanitizer sold by Five-Star Chemicals (the makers of Starsan) it has some foaming action just like mine.

Here is the product sheet on the IO-Star.

http://www.fivestarchemicals.com/tech/iostar.pdf
 
OhioGuy said:
something like this?
Tractor Supply Company - Dairyland Controlled Iodine Teat Dip 1/2%
Click to expand...

If you use something like the above Iodine, do you mix it with water? How much? Can you just pour it directly into a spray bottle and spray your fermentor and consider it "sanitized"? Also, I don't have access to Iodine like that but our Walgreens sells Betadine (Betadine Solution | H | Walgreens). Could I just use this and spray it on the fermenter and consider it sanitized? What would the mixture be 1 part this with 10 parts water for example....? If I use Betadine sprayed on the fermenter is there any risk of poisoning?
 
Poincare said:
If you use something like the above Iodine, do you mix it with water? How much? Can you just pour it directly into a spray bottle and spray your fermentor and consider it "sanitized"? Also, I don't have access to Iodine like that but our Walgreens sells Betadine (Betadine Solution | H | Walgreens). Could I just use this and spray it on the fermenter and consider it sanitized? What would the mixture be 1 part this with 10 parts water for example....? If I use Betadine sprayed on the fermenter is there any risk of poisoning?
Click to expand...

Well, since iodophor is recommended @ 1 tbs/5 gallons of water, and it is 1.5% titratable iodine, and the stuff we get is 1% (it's almost impossible thanks to methmakers to get higher except through brew suppy stores) I use 1.5 tbs/5 gallons of water...

But I tend to match it to the light straw color from back when I actually had iodophor.
 
What happens when you assume? Infected beer? j/k.

I'll just use the doubled dilution ratio.

Thanks
 
OhioGuy said:
Revvy,
Just purchased the .5% iodine. Am I correct in assuming that I'll need 3 Tlbs/5 gallon distilled water, or 1.67 tsp/gallon?
Thanks
Click to expand...

So do people know what is the difference between something which is 1% iodine Wound Spray, 10% Providone Iodine, or 2% Tincture Iodine?? :confused: Is any of this poisonous (as the bottles all say For External Use Only) if used as a fermenter sanitzer?? :confused: Are these mixtures no-rinse?
 
Poincare said:
So do people know what is the difference between something which is 1% iodine Wound Spray, 10% Providone Iodine, or 2% Tincture Iodine?? :confused: Is any of this poisonous (as the bottles all say For External Use Only) if used as a fermenter sanitzer?? :confused: Are these mixtures no-rinse?
Click to expand...

Anyone know about the use of these kinds of Iodine as a sanitizer??
 
Poincare said:
Anyone know about the use of these kinds of Iodine as a sanitizer??
Click to expand...

I think Orfy uses the Providone in England, but the 1 or 2% tinctures no matter what they call them will work fine at the low concentration of 1 tbs/5 gallons of water for the 1.5% concentrations, 1.5 tbs for the 1% concentration and probably .5tbs/5gallons for the 2%.

At that concentration the are no rinse, wet contact killers, and non-poisonous.
 
So, I hate to have my first post be an obvious kinda noob one, (Hello all BTW I have been lurking here for years) but I thought this would be the perfect thread.

So I just switched to OneStep (I know it sucks, but I got 2lbs for free) and I put it in some solution into my airlock (as I would with normal sanitizer) but a few days ago I inadvertently picked up my fermenter to move it into the cooler and when I did, It accidentally sucked onestep cleaner down into the beer. Now I think I killed my fermentation.

Did I kill the yeast with it?

I must have because I have no more activity. Gravity is holding around 1018... Is it ruined? can I just add more yeast in a few days?
 
Cryptochronolite said:
So, I hate to have my first post be an obvious kinda noob one, (Hello all BTW I have been lurking here for years) but I thought this would be the perfect thread.

So I just switched to OneStep (I know it sucks, but I got 2lbs for free) and I put it in some solution into my airlock (as I would with normal sanitizer) but a few days ago I inadvertently picked up my fermenter to move it into the cooler and when I did, It accidentally sucked onestep cleaner down into the beer. Now I think I killed my fermentation.

Did I kill the yeast with it?

I must have because I have no more activity. Gravity is holding around 1018... Is it ruined? can I just add more yeast in a few days?
Click to expand...

Read the post AND the accompanying blog linked in there...we get this 50 times a day...

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/1009600-post8.html

Onestep didn't kill your yeasts, they're not dead...the airlcok stopped bubbling becaue you moved the fermenter and vented out the excess CO2, that's all....
 
Thanks for the links, I've read those they are great advice. But the reason I decided to post is that the gravity has been constant for four days at 1018 not even a blip... and it was really really going before I moved it, it started at 1048 and was falling steadily (like nice and aggressive for three days). Now it's starting to be four days later and I have nothing going on still.

I guess the real question is - Can a healthy squirt of onestep ruin a batch?

I started a 1500ML starter with some crap yeast and DME, tomorrow when it's going strong, I am going to squirt some onestep in there to see if they all stop.

Again, this could be coincidence and my ferment has stopped but I expected somewhere in the 1012 range. WLP 013 London Ale - should give me 65-75% attenuation right?
 
Just think about it logically....IF sanitizers/cleansers were dangerous for yeast health...then they wouldn't be no rinse sanitizers would they? There would be warnings up the wazzo not to let them come into contact with yeast...and a couple tablespoons of anything after a couple weeks air exposure in an airlock would have to be pretty potent stuff to do it...ans since the sanitizer's efficacy is greatly decreased by air/light exposure the sanitizer was about as potent as a 90 year old who forgot to get his viagra refilled.

If you didn't rinse your fermenter (like you shouldn't have) the residue of sanitizer at yeast pitch was waaaay more potent then in your airlock, an your yeasties worked plenty fine then, right?

Your airlock stopped because you moved it I betcha it made a big "blurble" while you moved it and you didn't even notice you vented the built up co2....


if it's stayed 3 days at the 1.018, then it's done, regardless of the attenuation of the yeast....1.018 is a respectable gravity to end at...anything under 1.020 is...

In order to prove your thesis you'd have to find a way to squirt the sanitizer in there without disturbing the co2 pressure inside the fermenter....you can't take off the airlock, you can't open the bucket, or remove the carboy bung...without casuing a change and possible venting of the co2...even piercing the bucket lid with a needle and injexting it in, would probably be enough to outvent the co2 and casue the bubbler to stop...that's why the airlock is a faulty indicatior of fermentation to begin with, if you disturb the airlock, or the fermenter in anyway, then you change the pressure of it....
 
Ahh Revvy, yes you do speak the wisdom.
There's no way that that sanitizer could have killed my beer. There was probably more in the fermenter than what squirted inside. I am just paranoid because its for a competition here and it needs to be perfect, and already it's going out of my control with this silly 1018 gravity.
 
Thanks to Revvy and others all my cleansing/sanitizing fears have been eased. As a new brewer I was petrified of dirty gear and the lady at one LHBS sold me on C-Brite (which I hate). I was gathering up all my cleaning supplies and preparing to assess them.

I had bleach, C-Brite (basically powdered bleach), Barkeepers Friend, a 12 lb tub of Oxy, and Star Sans.

I hate the bleach smell and harsh nature of C-Brite and ever since Revvy turned me on to Oxy I have found it cleans better and faster than anything else. It even removes labels better and faster than anything else I have tried! Star Sans is my sanitizing fav because it is re-usable and it is very safe to use wet or foamy. I have not tried the Iodophor but if you can find it in bulk it sounds like a strong option.

Now I only use my Bar Keepers Friend on my Brewpot (it works great on stains and also cleans my tile, coffee mugs, etc.), I use Oxy on everything else, and Star Sans soaks for all gear before brewing as wel as my counter tops haha.

From now on, thanks to Revvy, my C-Brite and 2 free sample packs of One Step are emergency backups. I have a pound of the stuff so I think I will have cleaner/sanitizer for quite a while.

Thanks to HBT again!!!
 
I used Iodophor for years. I hate the smell. I never really trusted that it was no-rinse because of that smell even though I did a test and it did sublimate out of a quantity of water to the point where the water was drinkable.

I also hated that it stained my tubing. For me starsan was a godsend.

Just like oxyclean on the cleansing side.
 
I know Revy only mentioned PMB once. This was the recomended sani from my local LHBS. Whats your take on it. I hope it's good cause that's what I used to sanitize before my first brew last night.
 
STB said:
I know Revy only mentioned PMB once. This was the recomended sani from my local LHBS. Whats your take on it. I hope it's good cause that's what I used to sanitize before my first brew last night.
Click to expand...


PMB? Do you mean PBW?

PBW is an outstanding cleanser, not a sanitzer.
Use interchangeably with OxyClean or cleanser One Step.

Clean with PBW, rinse, sanitze with another product.
 
Revvy said:
Well, since iodophor is recommended @ 1 tbs/5 gallons of water, and it is 1.5% titratable iodine, and the stuff we get is 1% (it's almost impossible thanks to methmakers to get higher except through brew suppy stores) I use 1.5 tbs/5 gallons of water...

But I tend to match it to the light straw color from back when I actually had iodophor.
Click to expand...

Revvy (or whoever can help)... I bought the same gentle iodine from TSC... however, when I mix 1.5 tablespoons to 5 gallons... I didn't see any color change. So for the fun of it (not to use) I poured some in there and still theres barely any change in the water color. Am I getting the mixture wrong or...? I filled up a 5 gallon bucket, cleaned it with oxyclean versatile free... then rinsed, then filled it up again to 5 gallons and mixed in the 1.5 tablespoons of 1% gentle iodine from tractor supply. I am just getting into homebrewing and want to make sure I am not missing something... :confused: Thanks!
 
maffewl said:
Revvy (or whoever can help)... I bought the same gentle iodine from TSC... however, when I mix 1.5 tablespoons to 5 gallons... I didn't see any color change. So for the fun of it (not to use) I poured some in there and still theres barely any change in the water color. Am I getting the mixture wrong or...? I filled up a 5 gallon bucket, cleaned it with oxyclean versatile free... then rinsed, then filled it up again to 5 gallons and mixed in the 1.5 tablespoons of 1% gentle iodine from tractor supply. I am just getting into homebrewing and want to make sure I am not missing something... :confused: Thanks!
Click to expand...

I had this same question. I mixed some today and didn't see the color change either. I did put the TSC gentle iodine in first then put water on top to get some foam. I proceeded to use it today as sanitizer so I hope there was enough solution.
 
Shameless bump. I used the suggested amount of 1.5 tbsp per 5 gallons of water and there was no color change. This was using the gentle wound iodine from TSC. Is this normal?
 
I understand the arguments, and will be trying starsan soon. But for what it's worth, I have been using Onestep for 4 years and never had a problem. In fact, I still have 4+ pounds in a bucket that I will use happily, knowing full well that starsan is superior.

<shrug>

I guess I just get upset whenever one product in the brewing world is deemed as better, the others tend to get completely panned. :p
 

Similar threads

W
35% Hydrogen Peroxide for sanitation
Replies
22
Views
826
Peebee
Peebee
CallMeKiupid
Kiupid's Brews - Share your thoughts
Replies
2
Views
537
CallMeKiupid
CallMeKiupid
CallMeKiupid
Kiupid's Mead Guide for Beginners (like me)
Replies
3
Views
1K
Barzahl
B
CallMeKiupid
My First Brews .... what should I look out for?
Replies
10
Views
1K
CallMeKiupid
CallMeKiupid
P
First Keezer Build
Replies
5
Views
208
fluketamer
F
SSBrew 300

Latest posts

Back
Top