Sanitizing Question

[LiquidFlame]

I guess I'm a little paranoid when it comes to sanitizing, and I've always wonder this. Once I sanitize something, how long does it stay sanitize? For example, I use One Step when I sanitize, so when I sanitize my funnel or mixing spoon or even my carboy, and then place them on a towel to dry off/wait to be used, how long will they actually stay sanitized? I know I'll be using them within and hour or two, but do I have to worry about anything?

Also say for example, I'm using my sanitized thermometer in my brewing kettle to read temperatures, and then I use the same thermometer to check the temperature of my wort while it cools. Do I need to re-sanitize the thermometer before I use it to check the cooled wort? Sorry for the paranoia, but any insight would be great. Thanks.

 

[jkarp]

First off, you can basically ignore sanitization up through the wort boil in your process. It's once the wort cools that you need to pay attention. Minimize your finished wort's contact with open air to avoid dust, etc. from falling in.

Most sanitizers are considered effective only when wet. So, if it's dry, re-sanitize. One-Step has a relatively long contact time - you may want to consider replacing it with Star San which only needs a few seconds contact time to do the job. Many homebrewers even fill spray-bottles with Star San for quickly sanitizing surfaces, hands, etc.

Another good process would be to fix up a gallon bucket of sanitizer at the beginning of your brew session and just leave your utensils / tools in it, ready for use. Once the wort is ready, you can use the same sanitizer to prep your fermenter too.

 

[tjpfeister]

Sanitizing brewing equipment is no different than washing your hands; it depends on what they touch and what environment they are in. You don't wash your hands until they bleed do you? No? Good, now stop fretting so much about brewing equipment! Now, that being said, don't place your clean equipment on a towel, that thing is like a sponge for bacteria. Get yourself a cookie sheet or some sort of other container that you can properly clean, then place your clean materials on top of. Then, keep in mind that as things sit STUFF will be falling out of the air on them. If you have a clean kitchen, free of cats and children, this is no big deal, your items can sit for a while. If you are working in a dusty garage with the wind whipping through? I would consider giving your utensils a second dip right before usage.

Sanitation is more about common sense than anything. So many people either fail at it or go overboard to the point of OCD, I advocate a path somewhere in between.

To answer your thermometer question: The BEST answer depends on the temperature of the wort the first time. If the thermometer was placed in boiling wort, then no. There is no reason to reapply sanitizing solution as the boiling water is just as effective. Now if the wort in the boil kettle was only 150F, then YES as it is undoubtedly full of lactobacillus from any grain hulls and therefore would not be prudent to put that in your fermenter without first cleansing the potential sour bugs.

Treat your equipment like your hands while going to the bathroom and you will be okay! Did you pee on your fingers? No? Then you don't NEED to wash them, but it certainly wouldn't hurt ;-)

 

[soberJim]

I actually fill my brew chamber with sanitiser, leave it for a few hours with all the gear in it then rinse with hot water .. but I don't have a rinse free sanitiser, which would make it a lot easier. Star san is like that I think, not too sure though. I'm picky though, everything which goes near the brew gets sanitised, plus a bit

 

[LiquidFlame]

Thanks for the valuable information.

 

[unionrdr]

Starsan is a no rinse sanitizer that works best when wet. And it lasts a long time when kept in a sealed jug.