Very basic question on sanitizing

[linusstick]

When sanitizing my equipment for the first time, one of the pieces is the primary. The bucket is so big how do I do it? I know it's probably a basic question, but I don't want to mess up this early. My instinct says to fill it up and put the solution in there. If I do that, can I drop the other things that I am sanitizing in there? (lid, airlock, hydrometer, etc) or should I use the other bucket to do that? Also should I leave the stuff in the sanitizer until I need it? I can't imagine I should take it out and set it on the counter (getting it dirty again).

 

[Grinder12000]

What kind of sanitizer are you using.

What you plan on doing is correct.

When brewing I have an extra pot fiull of solution that I put things in with a rag for wiping and anything else.

 

[Nurmey]

Having an extra bucket is good. After you're done sanitizing the primary (as you described), put the solution in the second bucket for all the other stuff. Then as you need it while brewing you can grab it out. No reason to take it out before you need it.

Welcome to HBT! Stick around and learn other intesting stuff.

 

[linusstick]

It's called Easy Clean by LD Carlson. And do I fill the whole primary fermenter up with water and sanitizer? Up to the top?

 

[Nurmey]

It's called Easy Clean by LD Carlson. And do I fill the whole primary fermenter up with water and sanitizer? Up to the top?

Yes, mix a full 5 gallons and let it sit for 10 minutes or so. You might want to check into getting better sanitzer like StarSan. It only takes 30 second contact to be effective.

 

[bradsul]

I'd be careful cramming the lid into the bucket. I did that for my first couple batches and scratched up the inside of the primary quite a bit. I stopped doing that and just put some sanitizer onto the upside down lid instead.

+1 to starsan, MUCH easier. I just fill up a spray bottle and spray things down as I need them.

 

[monty3777]

Yes, mix a full 5 gallons and let it sit for 10 minutes or so. You might want to check into getting better sanitzer like StarSan. It only takes 30 second contact to be effective.

I just brewed my first batch (I hope!) and I doubt that most of my stuff had 30 seconds contact. I simply washed the stuff in a sink full of hot water and sanitizer. Will that be good enough or did each piece need to soak?

 

[Nurmey]

I just brewed my first batch (I hope!) and I doubt that most of my stuff had 30 seconds contact. I simply washed the stuff in a sink full of hot water and sanitizer. Will that be good enough or did each piece need to soak?

If it was wet for 30 seconds, you're fine. It doesn't need to soak in StarSan just be wet for that long. I'm sure your first beer will turn out fine since it's really hard to mess up beer.

 

[fat x nub]

I have said this before and will say it again. It is very hard to mess up beer. You have to lick the spatula and then stick it in a bowl of piss to do some seriouse damage

 

[PUD]

i'm a starsan spray freak. i think i just like spraying things knowing bad things are dieing. wonder if my girlfriend would be nicer if i sprayed her? just kidding, that was bad.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

If you enjoy throwing your money at sanitizers feel free to keep on keepin on. But, if you want a more practical but frugal way of sanitizing definitely look at starsan.

The stuff has something like a 5 second contact time .

And to be clear, that contact not immersion so a spray bottle soaking ismore than sufficient for wetting the surfaces of most everything inside and out (yes, even hoses).

What's more, if you monitor the pH of the starsan solution you can keep re-using the mix for months.

 

[ZAndersonOC]

Newbie here: Is it common to use Star San in a sprayer?

 

[newbrewr4fun]

If you enjoy throwing your money at sanitizers feel free to keep on keepin on. But, if you want a more practical but frugal way of sanitizing definitely look at starsan.

The stuff has something like a 5 second contact time .

And to be clear, that contact not immersion so a spray bottle soaking ismore than sufficient for wetting the surfaces of most everything inside and out (yes, even hoses).

What's more, if you monitor the pH of the starsan solution you can keep re-using the mix for months.

How do you go about monitoring the PH of starsan. What kind of strips should I get and what levels do I need to be monitoring?
THanks,.

 

[DutchK9]

I have said this before and will say it again. It is very hard to mess up beer. You have to lick the spatula and then stick it in a bowl of piss to do some seriouse damage

I have to some what agree. I use Iodophor in a spray bottle and coat everything I plan to use. I don't let it sit for 30 seconds or more and never have had a problem with infections.

 

[Amiaji]

Newbie here: Is it common to use Star San in a sprayer?

I think I'm addicted to StarSan in a spray bottle. I keep a bottle handy the whole time I'm brewing and spray everything before I use it.

 

[Ben25]

I think I'm addicted to StarSan in a spray bottle. I keep a bottle handy the whole time I'm brewing and spray everything before I use it.

+1

Just get one of those big spray bottles from home depot or probably any other store. I sanitize everything with it!

 

[Moonpile]

Lots of good advice here. I'd like to add that I like to use an $8 rubbermaid rope handled tub and fill it halfway or so with whatever cleaner I'm using, typically Star-San or OxyClean. Often times I'll mix it in the bucket or carboy I want sanitized and then pour that out into the tub. All the other stuff goes in the tub and lids, racking canes, hoses, etc are all easy to fit in. You can leave it full while you're brewing and resanitize things (rinse/clean them first!) throughout the session.

Don't lift the tub by the rope handles while half full. They may or may not pull out. Personally I like to just pull them out in a controlled fashion rather than forgetting and dropping a tub of Starsan.

 

[Special Hops]

+1 on the star-san in the spray bottle. That's all I use now. just squirt everything down and you are good to go.

 

[ChefBrew]

I use diluted bleach, any thoughts?

 

[Brian S]

Make sure you rinse WELL if you use bleach. If there is even a trace of bleach off-flavors will ensue.

 

[mykayel]

I'm another big fan of Star San. Many say you can re-use it, but its so cheap why bother? I also use spray bottles and I just toss everything (other than the lid) in my fermenter bucket and spray the everything down a couple of time during the boil. I also use star san in my airlock.

 

[newbrewr4fun]

I would put my money on a no rinse sanitizer like iodopher or star san. Why take a chance with bleach?

 

[fatbob]

I'm still a newbie here, but I often read people say that you shouldn't throw everything into your fermenter because you can scratch the inside of the plastic, and scratches are good places for bacteria & other nasty things to hide.