What Sanitisers and Cleaners are used.

[DU99]

sodium percarbonate unperfumed is all i use to clean my kegs,and starsan to sanitize

 

[Jette]

I thought it was the same thing as One Step, which my LHBS said was a no rinse sanitizer. They also said starsan was toxic and would ruin a septic system. I think he needs to go to school or something. I did a couple batches this way, so I hope the bacteria was killed. Supposedly all the oxy type cleaners make H2O2 which kills bacteria.

 

[jiMithing83]

For those who use StarSan and have chlorinated water: do you boil your dilution water prior to mixing? My first batch has a decidedly "band-aid-y" hint to the aftertaste, I've done some research and found this is caused by chlorophenols. I used purchased distilled water for my brew, but I cleaned with oxifree, rinsed with tap water, then sanitized with StarSan diluted with tap water. I also fermented at 77* F for 12 hours, but that should produce esters which lend a fruity flavor if I'm not mistaken.

 

[rebeccacode]

Thanks for the list Orfy, I'm still new here and still browsing to get ideas for brewing. I'll just save the list you provided to make sure I use the safest one for sanitizing

 

[alexnova]

Easy Clean for cleaning, but use it like a sanitizer unless something is scuzzy.

Also use plain old H2O2 to quickly sanitize small things (thermometer probes, etc)

 

[HopMama]

I have a brew kit coming soon. I'm so confused about all the conflicting stuff I've read in regards to cleaning/sanitizing. I've read bleach is okay, but only if you rinse with hot water, and bleach is okay, but not to rinse or it defeats the purpose. I'm thinking PBW to clean, and Starsan to sanitize....would these be good options for someone who has never brewed, and doesn't want to risk ruining their first batch of beer? I've also read dish liquid is ok, and dish liquid is bad for head retention, heating bottles in the oven is a good, and heating bottles in the oven is a recipe for disaster. I just want my first batch (and every batch that follows) to be good. My brew kit isn't even here yet, and I'm already stressed, lol. New to this forum, not sure how to navigate yet.....sorry for the rant


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[alexnova]

There are many cleaning and sanitizing methods, and to an extent they all work. Sanitation depends as much on the person as it does the cleaner.

If by kit you mean something like a beginner's brewing kit, it'll probably have a small canister of cleaner in it and directions on how to use it. Unless you have the personal hygiene of Pig Pen, it will do the job fine. Also, the dishwasher is your friend.

Sit down, have a beer and don't worry too much about it. This is supposed to be fun!

 

[peterlonz]

For a newcomer to the subject, the wide range of individual "how to's" recorded on this topic in this thread can seem confusing.
The thing to keep in mind is you need the equivalent of "clean kitchen" hygiene throughout the brewing process.
There are a few things to avoid however: dish washing detergents & IMHO other sanitising products with which you are unfamiliar.
The issue of bottle cleaning needs a little more thought. If you are starting with new clean bottles you should not have any problem. If however your bottles are recycled from garbage they will require quite a bit of effort to get them clean. If you can purchase new 750 ml brown plastic bottles made for brewing I would recommend them. Other wise common sense rules.

 

[HopMama]

Thanks! I'm really excited to get started!


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[HopMama]

Our brew kit is here, our extraction kit is here. Waiting on our brew pot, and sanitizer to get here. Planning on brewing our first batch next Friday! Sooooo excited!!


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[Mike3701]

Has anyone found a cheaper alternative to light cleaning then pbw? With all the kegs, conicals, and brew pot cleaning I'm going through too much pbw. It's getting expensive.


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[oakbarn]

We use Oxyclean Versitale Free in Kegs, Brew Kettles and our conicals. We use PBW to run though pumps and hoses after a brew session.

 

[schmitt777]

I also use Oxyclean Versatile ( Green Lid is odor free ). I get it at my local walmart for $7 for 3 lbs.

 

[IPAndy]

Is there any special considerations w/Oxyclean? For example, only Versatile and not regular Oxyclean, right? I've heard regular Oxyclean shouldn't be used.

 

[oakbarn]

The oxyclean free does not have perfumes in it. Oxiclean should be rinsed. If you leave it in a pot or keg for quite a while, you may have to use a brush as it can leave a coating if you do not.

After a brew day, we normally rinse the brew pot and mash tun, fill with water to the brim, throw in oxiclean free and let soak overnight. If you have a poly carbonate (not glass) sight tube, it should not be left full of oxiclean or PBW for that mater as it may come apart at the seams (These tubes are actaully sprirals that are "glued" that oxiclean left for too long will "unglue".)

On our kegs, we rinse when floated and then fill with water and a scoop of oxixlean. WE have several kegs and may wait a couple of weeks before we clean several at a time.

If any residue is left, a quick scrub with BKF (Bar Keepers Friend) get rid of it quickly ( and does your stainless good).

Your brew pot will look really good as it gets rid of any baked on wort.

 

[hitthewall79]

I was still way below the threshold of getting any ill effects. Besides, beer makes everything OK.

This is going to become my motto for life... As long as you're not dying, beer can fix it


Colorblind brewing

Flavor beats color every time

 

[oakbarn]

The oxyclean free does not have perfumes in it. Oxiclean should be rinsed. If you leave it in a pot or keg for quite a while, you may have to use a brush as it can leave a coating if you do not.

After a brew day, we normally rinse the brew pot and mash tun, fill with water to the brim, throw in oxiclean free and let soak overnight. If you have a poly carbonate (not glass) sight tube, it should not be left full of oxiclean or PBW for that mater as it may come apart at the seams (These tubes are actaully sprirals that are "glued" that oxiclean left for too long will "unglue".)

On our kegs, we rinse when floated and then fill with water and a scoop of oxixlean. WE have several kegs and may wait a couple of weeks before we clean several at a time.

If any residue is left, a quick scrub with BKF (Bar Keepers Friend) get rid of it quickly ( and does your stainless good).

Your brew pot will look really good as it gets rid of any baked on wort.

Update: I left my fermenter with oxiclean for a week. I had added it "hot'. There was a film on the fermenter that was not coming off that easy. Soaked in Starsan and off it came!

 

[peterlonz]

Regarding bleach:
It is very economical, even when used at high strength sometimes necessary for speed.
Needs thorough washing away with a sanitised agent such as hot water from the domestic hot water tank.
You should wear safety specs & old clothes because you will get some minor splashes & in higher strengths this is destructive/risky.
I use strengths of about 25 to 30% for fermentor cleansing & I do this near naked in summer (Australia). No failures but lots of little holes in old clothes & washing of exposed skin.
Highly recommended, you can almost see it working, yes it's even better when some acidity is added (vinegar is OK) but this is not essential.

 

[jiMithing83]

... it's even better when some acidity is added (vinegar is OK) but this is not essential.

Please do not advise people to make chlorine gas. If you want to slowly kill yourself, that's your business, but mixing bleach with acids is never a good idea unless you have SCBA or a really REALLY good gas mask. Do a little research and use a safer procedure, such as bleach wash, thorough rinse, then vinegar wash (or vice versa)... or PBW or oxi.

 

[ianw58]

+1 to jiMithing!

Mixing ANYTHING with chlorine bleach is a very BAD idea!!!

Cleaning with bleach, followed by a water rinse, followed by a vinegar rinse is a great way to clean, though. (Note the water rinse between the two steps)

 

[Backwoodsbrewing]

Let me get this straight. The Oxyclean free that many people are using is a laundry detergent ? If it works why not. Just asking


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[Malticulous]

Let me get this straight. The Oxyclean free that many people are using is a laundry detergent ? If it works why not. Just asking


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Yes but I usually just use the generic brands. The scented stuff can add off flavors.

 

[oakbarn]

Let me get this straight. The Oxyclean free that many people are using is a laundry detergent ? If it works why not. Just asking


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Either Oxiclean Free or like SUN Oxygen cleaner. But only soak for a few hours. If you leave it longer you get a film on your equipment. Heated water and Oxiclean seem to cause this film more but even cold water and a long soak will cause the film. Also if you have polycarbonate sight tubes, I soak NO longer than 30 minutes. I had one de laminate when left over night. You can easily get rid of the film by soaking in Star San. That being said, I only use in things I can see the inside of. I have never had a film issue with PBW but then we do not leave any equipment in that very long.

 

[MarkKF]

So I switched to Star San as my sanitizer. I just can't get over the bubbles that form and take forever to go away. I know it's a no rinse sanitizer but someone tell me this is O. K.

 

[ncbrewer]

So I switched to Star San as my sanitizer. I just can't get over the bubbles that form and take forever to go away. I know it's a no rinse sanitizer but someone tell me this is O. K. View attachment 234812

Just pour it out and don't worry about the bubbles remaining.

 

[govner1]

Don't fear the foam!!!

 

[radiogorillaz]

I have my own Oxiclean question...

Is anyone familiar with a natural version like Seventh Generation Oxy Stain Remover? (http://shop.seventhgeneration.com/laundry-stain-remover.html?sku=69) According to their info it's all mineral-based but I don't see any info about what the Oxiclean brand is made from. (I think oxygen cleaners are powdered forms for hydrogen peroxide) Could this be a better alternative that is cheaper than PBW but slightly more expensive than Oxiclean brand?

Just wondering if anyone has used a "natural" version and what that experience was like.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Try it out, and let us know!
We use Seventh Generation liquid laundry detergent, and liquid dishwashing, ( for the sink), soap.

 

[ckelly999]

Are all cleaners equal, and are all sanitizers equal? Or should I be using different cleaners/sanitizers for different jobs? Are some considered "better" than others or is it a matter of personal preference?

 

[mmmooretx]

PBW or Oxyclean from my brew store and Starsan. :rockin: