Sanitizing fermentors

[DreBourbon]

Hey guys, Im new to brewing and I bought some slightly used equipment and It came with 3 fermenting buckets. I read that you can't use the same fermentation bucket for wine and beer. Is this true? Will a previously brewed batch of wine let's say ruin my new batch of beer? I figured I'd sanitize the crap out of the bucket and I should be ok?

 

[WI_Wino]

I use the same buckets for beer, wine, and cider. Normal sanitizing processes will be fine.

 

[Rhumbline]

I regularly use my fermentation buckets for either wine or beer with no ill effects.

Take a look inside the buckets for scratches that may harbor bacteria, fill it up with boiling water or run it through a dishwasher without soap. Use Starsan or whatever you prefer to sanitize just before use.

Don't forget to give the lids the same treatment, and carefully inspect the sealing surface.

 

[flars]

Use a good cleaner before sanitizing. Sanitizers do not act as a cleaner. PBW or Oxyclean are good cleaners. Use unscented Oxyclean if PBW is not available. Rinse very well after cleaning.

 

[DreBourbon]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it. Great advise.

 

[mrgrimm101]

Oxyclean Free (the green lid) is good..as is PBW. Before I brew (usually on brew day, sometimes the day before) I typically fill the bucket with a PBW/water solution and let sit while I get some things set up. I submerge all my necessary equipment..such as hoses, autosiphon, bung, airlock, stirring paddle, etc. Then I drain it all and rinse everything off really well. Then I do the same process with star-san. This way everything has good contact with both the cleanser and sanitizer.

After brew or bottling day, I will typically hand scrub away any residue or grime that gets left behind. Then I fill and let my buckets or carboys sit for a few hours in a solution of the Oxyclean and water. Rinse really well, let dry, and store for the next use.

This way, everything get's cleaned before and after each use.