Sanitation

[gals]

I'm hoping someone can help. I've heard that I can use bleach to sanitise brewing equipment & bottles rather than using the specialised stuff that you buy from the home brew shop. Is this right & if so, what sort of rate do I dilute it at?

 

[thylacine]

http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/inde...?showtopic=9233

 

[flattop]

I used bleach but had some off flavors after a dozen batches i ruined 3 brews, not sure if it was infection or bleach problems, switched to Starsan and haven't had a drama in the couple of brews since.

 

[loikar]

I'm hoping someone can help. I've heard that I can use bleach to sanitise brewing equipment & bottles rather than using the specialised stuff that you buy from the home brew shop. Is this right & if so, what sort of rate do I dilute it at?

got this from here: http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/Beer-Brewing-E...ent/Detail.aspx

• 
  Household Bleach

Bleach is readily available and inexpensive. The downside to using bleach is that chlorine can leave an unpleasant, chemically aftertaste: either rinse well with boiling water, or allow equipment to air dry several hours before you begin. Use half an ounce of bleach (1/2 tablespoon) per 1 gallon of water.

• 
  Iodine Solution

For a beer brewer's iodine solution such as iodophor, iodine is combined with other molecules in order to make the iodine safe for kitchen use. This solution is easier to use than bleach, because it does not require additional rinsing. The proper dilution ratio for iodophor can be found on the bottle, available at home brewing supply stores.

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/inde...;showarticle=18

 

[dpadden]

I used bleach but had some off flavors after a dozen batches i ruined 3 brews, not sure if it was infection or bleach problems, switched to Starsan and haven't had a drama in the couple of brews since.

exactly the same here....I now clean with PBW and sterilise with starsan. Not only does it work, its safe for your beer and doesn't get any easier.

from memory it's only sold through Ross @ craftbrewer

 

[crundle]

I am using bleach till I get some Starsan from Ross. For bleach, use 5l water, add 10ml unscented bleach, then add 10ml white vinegar to the mixture. After leaving stuff in it for 2 minutes, rinse them off with hot water, I use boiling to be sure. The heat drives off the chlorine and then your equipment is good to use.

If you rinse it off and can still smell chlorine, then you need to keep rinsing. I only use this very rarely, normally keep things clean right after use and let sit in sun to dry out, then put away till next time. I am a strong believer in using boiling water to clean and sterilise everything before making a brew, no infections yet (crossing fingers I don't jinx myself now!!)

cheers,

Crundle

ps there is an article on this, go to articles up the top of the page and look through.

Edit: welcome to the forum, sorry for missing that! Please take the time to look over the articles and search the posts to get a rough idea of what you are searching for, chances are that your question has been answered before in much greater detail

 

[Pollux]

I personally use the bleach/vinegar combo at a rate of 1.6ml/1L of water....

Just remember to mix the bleach to the water then add the vinegar, mixing the bleach and vinegar straight up causes a nice little reaction, green liquid, funky and potentially toxic fumes and also a little heat.

 

[gals]

Thanks fellas for the info, I might give the bleach thing a go & thanks Edit for pointing me in the articles direction.

 

[ianh]

I personally use the bleach/vinegar combo at a rate of 1.6ml/1L of water....

Just remember to mix the bleach to the water then add the vinegar, mixing the bleach and vinegar straight up causes a nice little reaction, green liquid, funky and potentially toxic fumes and also a little heat.

I also use bleach/vinegar at about the same rate 40ml/25L in the fermenter. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes then empty. I tip it upside down to drain no need to rinse with water.

Bottles I do not sanitise but just rinse three times with water after use then tip upside down to drain in a rack.

cheers

Ian