What Sanitisers and Cleaners are used.

[pola0502ds]

Regarding the use of PBW and Starsan, since this stuff is expensive and you use so much water, is it possible to re-use both solutions after a typical brew day. What I would like to do is rinse everything with water first and then use PBW so that the solution doesn’t get a lot of build up in it. After I’m done using it, store it away for the next brew day. For starsan, everything should be clean already so nothing will build up in which is why I don’t think it would be a problem for storing and re-using it.

I’m a newer brewer so I don’t know the chemicals that well.

For storing these chemicals, can I use 5 gallon soda kegs? I worry that either solution will damage the seals or create off flavors if I go to use the same keg for beer that was used for storing these solutions.

Is there away to test starsan to make sure it will still do the job if it’s been stored for a while?

Say you have a 5 gallon carboy and 5 gallon soda keg, how do you guys go about cleaning and sanitizing them? Do you fill them up completely with 5 gallons of PBW and then Starsan or do you just get enough in there and shank it up or do whatever it is you do?

 

[BrewBoy19]

I am sure its already in here but, i bought a keg and cleaned it now i need to sanitize it. I have B-T-F Iodophor sanitizer. The home brew guy said to mix it in water and soak for 2 minutes then let air dry. problem is I can't remember the ration to mix it. bottle only says if u do this much it = this many PPM. Any help?

 

[pola0502ds]

I use starsan so I can't help, but I would recommend visiting their website or calling them. It's that simple.

 

[nate456789]

I am sure its already in here but, i bought a keg and cleaned it now i need to sanitize it. I have B-T-F Iodophor sanitizer. The home brew guy said to mix it in water and soak for 2 minutes then let air dry. problem is I can't remember the ration to mix it. bottle only says if u do this much it = this many PPM. Any help?

I use 1 Tablespoon for 5 gallons of Cold water. I would soak longer than 2 minutes. Unless you plan on using using Star San.
I have switched to star san now because it last so much longer and you can get thru a few brews before changing. And even then I am just changing it for peace of mind.

I do like using Iodophor for the glass Carboys because it doesn't foam like star san. That really bothered me at first because I started out using Iodophor. But the convenience of star san in a spray bottle out weighs the foaming issue for me now.

 

[nate456789]

Regarding the use of PBW and Starsan, since this stuff is expensive and you use so much water, is it possible to re-use both solutions after a typical brew day. What I would like to do is rinse everything with water first and then use PBW so that the solution doesn’t get a lot of build up in it. After I’m done using it, store it away for the next brew day. For starsan, everything should be clean already so nothing will build up in which is why I don’t think it would be a problem for storing and re-using it.

I’m a newer brewer so I don’t know the chemicals that well.

For storing these chemicals, can I use 5 gallon soda kegs? I worry that either solution will damage the seals or create off flavors if I go to use the same keg for beer that was used for storing these solutions.

Is there away to test starsan to make sure it will still do the job if it’s been stored for a while?

Say you have a 5 gallon carboy and 5 gallon soda keg, how do you guys go about cleaning and sanitizing them? Do you fill them up completely with 5 gallons of PBW and then Starsan or do you just get enough in there and shank it up or do whatever it is you do?

Just my opinion but I would not store any of your chemical solutions in the soda kegs for long periods of time.
I personally don't reuse my PBW because after cleaning my carboys and kettle on a brew day it is pretty nasty. I only make up 2 gal at a time. If I manage it right I can get by with just the 2 gallons on brew day. Sometimes I need 4. Cleaning chemicals are cheap if you look at the big picture. If you have a bad batch of beer because it is not cleaned enough or right. You have now wasted dollars in ingredients and your 4 or 5 hours it takes to brew it. $1 worth of chemicals are cheap insurance to me.
Starsan last a very long time if you mix it with distilled water. I store it in a spare Carboy with a sealed bung in the top. If I don't have a spare one I use a spare 5 gallon plastic water cooler jug until a glass carboy is free.
I only mix up a gallon of starsan at a time. and it lasts over a few brews and keggings. If starsan is mixed right using distilled water and it is not hazy. you are good to go.
I clean my carboys with a brush. I clean my kegs with a gallon of pbw and a keg brush and then I stick my arm in with a rag and scrub it top to bottom. Inspect it with a flash light and a mechanics mirror to make sure I got everything.

 

[togodoug]

Brewers are an ingenious lot.

This is a list of some of the products uses for cleaning and sanitising.

Cleaners

1. Oxyclean (an industrial version)
2. PBW (Powdered Brewery Wash) - Caked on deposits, similar to oxiclean usage.
3. Bleach Soak (~1c/5gal) When visibly clean, but I want a good single cleaning/sanitizing step
4. Hot water no detergent
5. If it's stainless, BKF.
6. Dish soap.
7. TSP (tri-sodium phosphate solution)
8. dishwasher detergent.Calgonite brand
10. Anti-bacterial dish soap
11.Antiformin S (it's like bleach but with more caustic). It's rapid! A 20% bleach solution makes an excellent cleaner too.
12. BLC for the hoses/connectors/faucets.
13. an unbranded powdered beer line cleaner (not BLC) I get from the LHBS for cleaning my keg lines
14. Straight-A (percarbonate cleaner)


Sanitisers

1. Idophor (a medical version -- Betadine 10% aqueous)
I pay £3 for 500ml and need 1.25ml per litre to make a no rinse solution
Description: If you keep your equipment clean between brews, Iodophor is a great sanitizer. (Your equipment will not be clean if you simply rinse after use. You must use a cleaner, such as TSP.) Iodophor is excellent for stainless steel- which Diversol will corrode- and all other beermaking equipment. Mixed properly and used in a spray bottle, Iodophor is almost magical in its convenience: there's no waiting and no rinsing. Cleaning Iodophor does not clean. Use a cleanser such as TSP before sanitizing with Iodophor. Sanitizing Mix 1 ml per litre of cold water. You must use a syringe for accurate measurement. Use a spray bottle to coat equipment with solution. Shake off excess or allow equipment to drain. Do not rinse. Use the equipment. It's that easy! Cautions When in solution, Iodophor rapidly breaks down. Every time you use it, you must make a fresh solution. Not effective unless mixed accurately. Use a syringe. Will not clean dirty or stained equipment. Hazardous for those with iodine allergies. Concentrated solution stains skin and fabric.

2) Bleach (15mL/gal) + HOT water rinse (Sodium Hypochlorite)

Description: Unscented household bleach can be used as a sanitizer and cleaner. For sanitizing, it is just as effective as Diversol. For cleaning, however, either Diversol or TSP would be preferable. Cleaning Mix 2.5 ml per litre of cold water (1 tbsp. per gal.) and follow the cleaning instructions for Diversol . When rinsing, remove all traces of chlorine smell. Sanitizing Using a solution of 5 ml per litre of cold water (1 tbsp. per gal.) follow the cleaning instructions for Diversol Cautions See above. Don't use scented bleach. Those 'spring fresh' and 'lemony' perfumes will sink into equipment permanently. All subsequent batches will smell and taste like perfume.

3) Autoclave (glassware only) (18psi @ 250˚F for 20min)

4. Starsan- no rinse and I love the foam

5. Diversol (Sani-Brew) Description: As well as being a sanitizer, Diversol has the added benefit of being an extremely effective cleaner. Available under a variety of trade names, you'll recognize Diversol because it is a chlorinated pink powder. Cleaning Dissolve 3.5 g per litre of cold water (5 tsp. per gal). Soak stained equipment up to 48 hours. Rinse thoroughly with hot water. Sanitizing Fill primary fermenter with Diversol solution (3.5 g per litre of cold water [5 tsp. per gal.]). Fully immerse all equipment: hoses, spoons, bungs, hydrometers, thermometers, airlocks, and primary lid. Soak equipment for at least 20 min. Remove lid, rinse carefully (but thoroughly) with hot water and turn it upside-down on the counter. Rinse equipment, placing items inside sanitized lid. To sanitize a carboy: With bung in carboy, slosh 9 litres (2 gal.) Diversol solution all around inside. Repeat twice, with 5 minutes between repetitions. Rinse after 20 min. Cautions Corrodes stainless steel. Can bleach clothing. Do not mix with acids, amines, or ammonia. Such a mixture produces dangerous gases.

6. One Step since it came with my kit. I have not noticed any discernible effects of the two. I use star-san because it can be re-used and I can buy it in larger quantities.

7. 70% Isopropyl Alcohol for little parts

8. Potassium Metabisulphate (Campden tablets) Potassium metabisulfite is sometimes used in the brewing industry to inhibit the growth of wild yeasts, bacteria, and fungi. This is called 'stabilizing'. It is used both by homebrewers and commercial brewers alike. It is not used as much for brewing beer, because the wort is almost always boiled, which kills most microorganisms anyway.

I have a bad smell in my fermenter. I have cleaned with bleach and still have like a funky smell that effects taste. I’ve brewed a few batches and it all tastes the same regardless of the recepe and the taste is like the smell.
I think its caused by, well, I don’t know what, maybe not good cleaning?
It's kind of hoppy, the smell, yet not good and I'm an IPA guy. I'd use hops as air freshener, so its not that hops are bad, but this is a bad hop-like smell. It’s just off. It's not a chemical smell. I've used just water to clean or One Step. Recently I used straight bleach. I sanitize with Idophor.
What is it and how do I get rid of it?

 

[pola0502ds]

What kind of fermentor are you using? If it's glass or stainless I don't know why you would still have this issue. You just have to make sure you clean them really well. If it's plastic, i wouldn't try anything else, i would pitch it and buy a new one. It's not worth the effort and stress of worrying "did I clean it good enough and did I fix the problem". So 2-3 months after you think you fixed it and after your $60 10 gallon batch of beer is done fermenting, you find out it's still screwed up.

 

[togodoug]

What kind of fermentor are you using? If it's glass or stainless I don't know why you would still have this issue. You just have to make sure you clean them really well. If it's plastic, i wouldn't try anything else, i would pitch it and buy a new one. It's not worth the effort and stress of worrying "did I clean it good enough and did I fix the problem". So 2-3 months after you think you fixed it and after your $60 10 gallon batch of beer is done fermenting, you find out it's still screwed up.

its plastic

 

[pola0502ds]

its plastic

Get rid of it, Honestly, not worth all the trouble. You ruin another beer and the beer gods are gonna get pissed!

 

[Snotpoodle]

For the sake of clarity, and for non US brewers, could you tell us what these products are?

Oxyclean - is this the laundry product, ?

Would that be the same as something like this? Vanish

One Step - is this a bleach?

Starsan isnt available here either, we have something called Perasan : Peracetic acid based oxidising disinfectant which is free rinsing, low foaming and non-selective. Exhibits a broad spectrum kill at ambient temperature. Should be used at ambient temperature, at concentrations of 0.15 to 0.5% (1.5 - 5ml / L of water). Solution must remain in contact with surface for minimum of 5 mins. Hot water should not be used as this causes corrosion.

 

[shaeyt]

Hi, I am a severe asthmatic, and my local home brew shop told me that I should not use the powder sterilizer as it could impact on my asthma, and not to use bleach as it stuffs up the fermentation process.
Which is a sterilizer to use on my bottles? Is iodine acceptable and safe?

 

[Snotpoodle]

Is anyone able to answer my questions below?

For the sake of clarity, and for non US brewers, could you tell us what these products are?

Oxyclean - is this the laundry product, ?

Would that be the same as something like this? Vanish

One Step - is this a bleach?

Starsan isnt available here either, we have something called Perasan : Peracetic acid based oxidising disinfectant which is free rinsing, low foaming and non-selective. Exhibits a broad spectrum kill at ambient temperature. Should be used at ambient temperature, at concentrations of 0.15 to 0.5% (1.5 - 5ml / L of water). Solution must remain in contact with surface for minimum of 5 mins. Hot water should not be used as this causes corrosion.

 

[ACbrewer]

Hi, I am a severe asthmatic, and my local home brew shop told me that I should not use the powder sterilizer as it could impact on my asthma, and not to use bleach as it stuffs up the fermentation process.
Which is a sterilizer to use on my bottles? Is iodine acceptable and safe?

iodine could be used, and the Iodophor is an iodine solution - it comes concentrated, so follow mixing directions. This would be your sanatizer. You should avoid things like oxyclean.

I haven't used Star San, so I don't know how much 'mist' the foaming creates. Probably none at all. I've had no problems with Iodophor and it creating any sort of air particles to breath in.

 

[ACbrewer]

For the sake of clarity, and for non US brewers, could you tell us what these products are?

Oxyclean - is this the laundry product, ?

Would that be the same as something like this? Vanish

One Step - is this a bleach?

Starsan isnt available here either, we have something called Perasan : Peracetic acid based oxidising disinfectant which is free rinsing, low foaming and non-selective. Exhibits a broad spectrum kill at ambient temperature. Should be used at ambient temperature, at concentrations of 0.15 to 0.5% (1.5 - 5ml / L of water). Solution must remain in contact with surface for minimum of 5 mins. Hot water should not be used as this causes corrosion.

Oxyclean is a laundry product, in another form, the base cleaning/'sanatizing' agent it in is the same one as One Step. They both work by creating a H2O2 solution (hydrogen peroxide) which requires a long time -10 min- in contact to sanatize. Most home brewers prefer something faster, like 'instant'.

Oxyclean would be similar to that vanish product with O2 built in.

Took a look at the Perasan homepage. Found that you had to keep it in contact for 5 mins, it also uses a H2O2 solution (that oxidizing it mentions) to kill things, and is recomended for the wine industry over clorine (a data sheet I skimed at the site). >shrugg< You could use it, I used one step when I started and only had 1 infection with it over many beers - I did the sanitation on a bit of tubing to fast. Just be sure to follow the instrctuions that they have for using it for disinfecting.

In the US, a sanatizer kills 99.999% of the microbs in X amount of time (<30 sec? less than 5?) I'm not sure if that is a standard, or just a US FDA definition. But my suggestion would be to go to your favorite drinking establishement/bar/restaunt at a time when the bartender is easy to talk to and ask to see what he uses for sanatizing the glassware. Or try a restraunt supply shop for a sanatizer.

 

[hercher]

Hi, I am a severe asthmatic, and my local home brew shop told me that I should not use the powder sterilizer as it could impact on my asthma, and not to use bleach as it stuffs up the fermentation process.
Which is a sterilizer to use on my bottles? Is iodine acceptable and safe?

Not sure I agree with your LHBS guy on bleach. I've used it off and on for years, and never had a problem with fermentation. And you don't need very much. When I was brewing in a brewpub, I sanitized 15 bbl fermenters with 1 capful of bleach in 1 bbl of water, recirculated for 30 minutes.

 

[bronzdragon]

On the Oxyclean topic, I've been using the Oxyclean Free version for a couple years now to great effect. The Free version contains no perfumes, etc. I just mix it up and let it sit in the bucket, carboy etc for about 20-30 mins while I'm doing other things. Haven't had a problem.

Cheers
~r~

 

[diver1]

For cleaning I have been using a mix of 6 parts Oxyclean, 2 parts Trisodium Phosphate and 2 parts Sodium metasilicate (by weight) with good success. I use it in the same concentration as PBW. For Sanitizing I use Starsan as directed. If I use RO water when mixing Starsan it lasts longer and doesn't get cloudy.

 

[FatherJack]

I usually rinse my fermenting buckets out with 60 degrees C water and then store them if I'm not immediately using them. I usually scrub them with a towel since it's non abrasive and make sure I get all the junk off.

Then when the time comes to use said bucket, I fill it to the brim with hot water and put a cap full of bleach with the water and let it sit for 60 minutes or so.

Everything else gets the hot water rinse and towel scrub and then sanitized before I use it.

My bottles get a good rinse and shake when they're empty and then a hot water rinse and inspection before I sanitize the bottles and fill them. If I find any junk in the bottom, I put in a wee bit of oxy clean and leave it be until the junk comes out.

Should I change any of my methodology? I always make sure there's no physical gunk on stuff, always scrub it with a towel and sanitize everything.

 

[HBrew71]

Anybody here uses B.E.S.T, an iodine based sanitizer? I wanted to try Iodophore to sanitize before bottling - I use starsan for everything else. My LHBS does not carry iodophor. But they carry B.E.S.T. They claim that it is a no-rinse sanitizer but wanted to check your experience before I buy it. Not a lot of info about this on the web.

Thanks in advance.

 

[wailingguitar]

Does anybody know if Birko's non caustic alkali cleaners (BruReze, CellRMaster) are available in home use size containers?

 

[bs72]

I have been using Proforce restaurant sanitizer for 3 years. I have had no problems with contamination. My brew buddy has been using it too for the same amount of time. We use it to sanitize everything from brew equipment to bottles. I got it from Sam's Club for $5 a gallon, much cheaper than the pricey brew shop sanitizers.

 

[rico567]

If it's an FDA approved sanitizer, then chances are it'll be perfectly fine. I'll stick with Star San.

 

[i4ourgot]

So i had to do some minor sanitizing the other day and i did it in one of my 5-gallon brew buckets. Now i have all this left over water that is fin to use for other projects but how long (as in days) can i wait to reuse this?

 

[Seeyakid]

can any of these products be purchased in retail stores?

 

[dnjmccarty]

Has anyone tried Lysol No Rinse Sanitizer? Supposedly food safe and FDA approved.

 

[bigcountry67]

I've read quite a lot about PBW vs Oxyclean and have used PBW from the start. I recently bought a tub of Oxyclean and tried it out. Very effective, but leaves that film I've read about. I'll swish with vinegar and it should remove. Bottom line, you want to save a buck, get som OC. Want simplicity? Get some PBW. My time is worth the PBW. Not to say I won't use OC in the future! Disclaimer: It's been cold and I don't have hot water in my brewshed. Figure that could cause more filming when using OC. I'm not snob, just love brewing and looking for best practices.

 

[starrfish]

giving 2 empty kegs and 2 empty primarys an Oxy soak now.

 

[Jagdad]

There is a great hospital grade disinfectant called Zerotol - a hydrogen peroxide/ peracetic acid. It kills a lot more than bleach does. I pick it up at our local farm Co-op.
You can make a homemade version of it really cheap. I think it's 3 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part vinegar. The vinegar reacts (safely) with the peroxide to form a percentage of peracetic acid. The peroxide "scrubs" the microbes and the acid burns 'em up.
It is great for washing/ rising bottles.

 

[gan]

Hi all, new to brewing and will be doing my first batch tomorrow (I am really tempted to just leave work right now and get it going).

Anyways, my brew kit came with LD Carson's no-rinse 'Easy Clean' powder. It is not labeled as a sanitizer. After scouring these forums and not coming up with much about the stuff, I gave LD Carson a call and was informed that it's a mixture of sodium percarbonate and sodium sulfite. That means that this stuff is pretty much just oxyclean with a sanitizing agent, right?

I'd rather use it up before buying a more well-known (read: expensive) sanitizer if I can get away with it. Does anyone have any experience with this product, or any intuition regarding whether it would work as a sanitizer as well as a cleaner?


EDIT: After looking around a little harder, I found more info on it--I'm going to go ahead and use it this time then upgrade on my next brews. Anyways, I'd delete this post but I can't seem to figure out how! Cheers everyone, this forum has been an incredible resource.

 

[JimTheHick]

Hi all, new to brewing and will be doing my first batch tomorrow (I am really tempted to just leave work right now and get it going).

Anyways, my brew kit came with LD Carson's no-rinse 'Easy Clean' powder. It is not labeled as a sanitizer. After scouring these forums and not coming up with much about the stuff, I gave LD Carson a call and was informed that it's a mixture of sodium percarbonate and sodium sulfite. That means that this stuff is pretty much just oxyclean with a sanitizing agent, right?

I'd rather use it up before buying a more well-known (read: expensive) sanitizer if I can get away with it. Does anyone have any experience with this product, or any intuition regarding whether it would work as a sanitizer as well as a cleaner?

EDIT: After looking around a little harder, I found more info on it--I'm going to go ahead and use it this time then upgrade on my next brews. Anyways, I'd delete this post but I can't seem to figure out how! Cheers everyone, this forum has been an incredible resource.

I like this stuff. Used 5 pounds of it so far. It works at the proper concentration, but doesn't keep for very long unless stored in the dark, closed up.

If you want to know if it's gone south, just fill a growler with it, shake it once with your hand as the 'lid'. Gas should blow out. No gas, no soup for you! The wonders of catalase....