I've Been Infected

[jimmy01]

I've been brewing for 6 years and rarely had an infection in my brews. Started using Sod Metabisuphite and then bleach. 12 months ago I swapped to no rinse hydrogen peroxide. Since then I've had at least 3 infections possibly 4. Havent been able to identify anything else that may be a cause.

Has any one else had any problems with hydrogen peroxide?

Cheers

 

[Adamt]

Hydrogen peroxide is a quite unstable chemical, but a strong oxidiser. I'm assuming a no-rinse peroxide sanitiser would contain perxoide-stabilisers, however theres always the possibility of decomposition (into water and oxygen, yielding it useless).

If you're having problems with it, switch back to metabisulfite, bleach, or consider iodophor or ortho-phosphoric acid (slingshot/oneshot) as a no-rinse sanitiser.

 

[berapnopod]

Just had a thought about H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide). Since it is a strong oxidiser, I assume any remaining in a mash tun would be a significant problem for oxidation of the mash. However, for kits it would probably be a good thing since it will be extra oxygen for the yeast.

Berp.

 

[Ross]

I've been brewing for 6 years and rarely had an infection in my brews. Started using Sod Metabisuphite and then bleach. 12 months ago I swapped to no rinse hydrogen peroxide. Since then I've had at least 3 infections possibly 4. Havent been able to identify anything else that may be a cause.

Has any one else had any problems with hydrogen peroxide?

Cheers

What sort of infection jimmy01? what are the symptons? I'd be very surprised if the Sodium peroxide is your problem.

cheers Ross

 

[jimmy01]

Hi Ross

Small round balls of debris floating throughout the beer - wasn't there in the first few weeks. Beer has developed an sharp acrid taste after 4-6 weeks. Not undrinkable - but not like my usual results

cheers

 

[jimmy01]

View attachment 10692

Hi

Hope you can help. As previously posted I have had a number of infections in my brews this year after many years with only one.


Infection seems to have gotten worse in the last beer with symptoms resulting in this batch being discarded. See piccie above. Has anyone any ideas on what this may be?

 

[Linz]

Have you popped your fermenter taps apart and given them a good clean out??

 

[jimmy01]

Hi Linz

Yes been pulling taps apart taps for some time now. Changed all my fermenter seals and grommets recently. Though I don't think this is the source.

I am going to number my fermenters and watch this year to see if the infection is linked to a particular fermenter.

A I posted previously the only major change I have made is changing from bleach to Hydrogen Peroxide with silver, as the sanitiser. Other forum members have assured me that they have not had probs with this sanitiser. Will persist with this for time being as it is great not having to rinse.

cheers

 

[InCider]

Hi Linz

Yes been pulling taps apart taps for some time now. Changed all my fermenter seals and grommets recently. Though I don't think this is the source.

I am going to number my fermenters and watch this year to see if the infection is linked to a particular fermenter.

A I posted previously the only major change I have made is changing from bleach to Hydrogen Peroxide with silver, as the sanitiser. Other forum members have assured me that they have not had probs with this sanitiser. Will persist with this for time being as it is great not having to rinse.

cheers

I had two consecutive infections in 10 months of brewing just recently. I have started using bleach and napisan as a rinse, and all seems fine. I use the high pressure gurney on all my brewing gear (makes bottle washing easy!) and normally bottle clean fermenter and re-use. I gotmy infections after leaving the fermenters empty for 2 weeks....

So, now I just go back to back brews... :beer:

 

[Linz]

Iodorphor(sp?) and orthophosphoric acid are also no-rinse sanitizers too.....

 

[jimmy01]

I gotmy infections after leaving the fermenters empty for 2 weeks....

So, now I just go back to back brews... :beer:

Thanks InCider

Is there a problem with leaving the fermenters empty?

I sometimes don't brew for a month or so so my fermenters are stored dry and covered in plastic.

 

[Jazzafish]

I have never had a problem with leaving a fermenter for a couple of months. I always leave them dry, lid off and taps out/open/seperated.

My cleaning is always the same... A wash with napisan after a brew then left to dry as above.

Before wort enters the fermenter: A soak for 15mins in PSR, followed by a good scrub with a cloth... rinse out with hot water, then a kettle full of boiling water + a good splash around and soak. I flush everything through the tap too. I also do the same with the lid, air lock and anything close to touching wort.

When I run out of PSR:

A clean with napisan, rinsed with hot water. A soak in Iodorphor, rinsed with hot water... followed by a kettle full of boiling water + a good splash around and soak.

Overkill... Probally, but no issues yet, other than the moth finding its way into a brew while I got the lid some time ago :lol:

I know Iodorphor is a no rinse method, but so is boiling water... LET THE POWERS COMBINE!!!

 

[InCider]

Iodorphor(sp?) and orthophosphoric acid are also no-rinse sanitizers too.....

Thanks Linz - it really is time for some real stuff, not just knocking off things from the laundry...

I take it the iodophor leaves no smell of taste?

Edit: Just found the thread on it...

 

[InCider]

Thanks InCider

Is there a problem with leaving the fermenters empty?

I sometimes don't brew for a month or so so my fermenters are stored dry and covered in plastic.

Hi Jimmy,

There was a problem for me - they were cleaned etc, stored with llids on, and cleaned again prior to use... could be the heat in November... I have decided to run fermenter full time to store up as many bottles as possible to age them and leave my spares for bulk priming...

When I first started brewing this bloke I kept running into buying coopers kits at woolies said he never steralised (bottles or fermenters) just rinse and re-use. I have done the same sucessfully for many months in my shed too... until I lost two on the go. All up I have done at least a dozen or more before that...

So, until I go AG when the kids get bigger, I will keep my cowboy ways

Sean