Sanitization Of Brew Kit

[Nick JD]

I put 2L of water in the kettle (the tea 'n coffee one) and boil it. Then it's poured down the sides of the fermenter and the lid is put on.

Then I shake it softly. A laser beam of steam shoots out the airlock hole and would take the paint off the roof if I was taller. I'm sure if I shook it any more the pressure build up would probably blow the lid off and I would dial 000 leaving skin flecks on the telephone buttons. Then I roll it on its side on the bench about five times to get the superhot water in prolonged contact with the sides; the tap overhanging the edge.

It's not an autoclave, but it's the same principle.

If any bacteria or yeast can live through elevated pressure and 100 degree water vapour then they deserve a sup on my brew.

If the fermenter has been sitting for any extended length of time (rare) I do this twice. Zero infections, zero chemicals.

 

[muckey]

All the methods mentioned here work. they are tried and true.

A couple of common things though. Take your fermenters apart - take the taps out, o - rings off etc and make absolutely certain you get ALL the gunk out or it's only a matter of time before you get an infection.
If you use boiling water, as has been mentioned, you need to be carefull how you handle it but it works.
If you use any chemical less is NOT more - use them as directed or you will get off flavours and undesirables.

Remember, sanitization is not sterilization. You're not aiming for 100% kill. All sanitization does is reduce the populations of nasties to a level when a health yeast can out compete and hence make them extinct in your brew.

So whatever you decide to use, use it properly and carefully and even if you sanitise properly, if it's not absolutely clean to start with, you're on track for an infection.

FWIW I use pbw or just water and a clean chux for cleaning when emptied (unless I'm lazy) and bleach / vinegar silution for sanitisation (1.6ml of each in a full beer jug) and stand upside down on its lid to dry just before filling with wort.

edit: spnilleg

 

[drtomc]

Well said Muckey.

One extra note - replacing your taps from time to time is cheap, and good insurance, because they can be hard to clean thoroughly.

T. who recently forked out several dollars to replace all his taps.

 

[Phoney]

How do you take the o ring out? I tried prying it out with a butter knife but had no luck.

Ditto with the taps. I tried prying it apart with a flat screw driver but it wouldnt budge. Oh well, replacements are only $1.75 from Bunnings!

 

[Pennywise]

I use the back end of a butter knife and stick it in the tap hole, then bang the shit out of it till it comes apart. Never had any trouble getting the o ring out with the ol' butter knife.

 

[muckey]

you can prise the o ring out slowly and carefull work around the lid

the taps will pop apart if you have a piece of dowel that fits in them.

I'f you dont want to take them apart then you can soak them - just dont leave them too long for the gunk to dry and harden.
it's worth replacing them regularly at the price of new taps

sorry should have been 'apart' not the chappo spelling 'apaart'

 

[macneil29]

well i did a bleach rince then a few hot water rinses and then 2 boiling water ones works a treat im not leaving the fermenter laying around.. i waited for it to dry then started on another brew.. which is bubbling away like mad at the moment!

 

[fcmcg]

+ 1 on the iodophor. 3 capfuls and fill the fermentor and you can throw in the mash paddle, brew spoon, bottling wand , taps off other fermenters, bottles , oh shit the whole lot can go in.

I hearby second the iodopher....i try and be as water wise as possible living here in the used to be garden state ( Vic)...i'd prefer to use my water allocation to make more beer ! Iodopher is awsome...after some oxyper treatment of course...
Cheers
Ferg