bleach as a sanitizer

[Bruno_78]

I've read all sorts of opinions on using bleach as a sanitizer. And it seems that people are pretty split down the middle. Either they say it's ok to use, or they believe it imparts off flavors in the beer. I've been reading Charlie Papazian's book and even he advises using it. I've recently depleted my supply of iodophor, and am considering using bleach, but not if it could turn out bad.

Could someone shed a little light on the subject for me?

[Fast_Eddy]

My opinion is that it's a good santizer when used correctly. Make sure you mix in the correct proportions and RINSE(RINSE) thoroughly. Did I mention you have to be sure to rinse it well? Bleach can be detected in VERY, VERY small amounts.

[b3s]

for about the first nine months of brewing i used bleach...then moved to iodophur (can't wait until that crap runs out!), but i'll be switching to star sans...bleach is great, really great...rinse LOTS...did fast_eddy and i mention rinsing? and DO NOT SPILL! that is, unless white splotches on your carpeting are a style you're going for ;) i don't like iodophur because the rust colored stains on my counter piss me off.

[DreamWeaver]

I use bleach on glass & One-Step on the rest. And I rinse the fire out of both. Any microbes need to have time to establish a place to grow/reside, so a fast rinse will do.Then rinse again, then rinse well. I'm a rinser!

[b3s]

i've never rinsed one-steps...ever (not even when i was a cook).

[sallad]

i agree that bleach is a very good sanatizer. but rinse, and rinse well. (has someone mentioned that already? sounds familiar...) when i use bleach, i wear old clothes. a little splash, and you've got bleach spots all over you! also, i think its recommended that you do NOT use bleach with anything stainless steel - kegs, brewpots, etc.

[Fast_Eddy]

Yeah - I never rinse One Step. A small amount of One Step residue should actually be good for yeast since it really just creates H202 which decomposes to O2 in solution(I think). I also infer this from the oxygenate your wort article in Zymurgy a few issues ago. It shows them injecting a wort with H2O2.

[brewmonkey]

Chlorine based sanis will pit your metal equipment.

If used incorrectly it will also lead to chlorophenol flavors/aroma in the finished product. IMHO it is a sani best left alone.

Of course I am also very anti anything that requires a rinse if it is used as a sani agent.

[O2 Mash]

I once heard that bleach can even put microscopic pits your glass carboys. Hearsay, but it might be worth looking into.

[Steve16823]

Bleach or other sodium hypochlorite based sanitizers are VERY common in the dairy and food industry because they are inexpensive and extremely effective. It will, however, corrode metals and even stainless steel if used for long contact times or in high concentrations.

Rinsing is important, as everyone has said. But, another factor is that I think most people (myself included) use A LOT more bleach than is necessary. In fact, FDA regulations specify a maximum of 200 ppm chlorine for sanitizing food contact surfaces -- that's only about a tablespoon per gallon! A teaspoon of bleach per gallon will make an effective sanitizer with a chlorine content of about 50ppm.

[ray m]

Ya know, you really need to rinse the hell out of anything you use bleach in/on:p

Seriously.....do yourself a favor and get some StarSan....contact time is one to two minutes and absolutely no rinsing is required, nor recommended!!

[axis714]

you know Ive been useing star san for almost a year now and it really kicks ass....the only prob is i really really really want to rinse out the foam...it kills me to just leave it ...it foams up so much a quick sanitise really begs for a rinse.....anyone else have a mental problem with suds?

[Fly Creek]

I'm a bleach user for plastics and glass, and use B-Brite for stailnless parts. This is so due mainly to availability and price. I've read a lot here about Star San, but I've never used it. How do you use it and how much does it generally cost?

[danno]

Star San is a no rinse sanitizer, so it's extremely easy to use. last time I bought it I bought the quart, it's about $11, but I make 2 gallon batches of sanitizer, so I use about a half an ounce for each brew session, so it goes a long ways. mix it with cold water, pour it in to your carboy, or bucket, or wherever, it needs 2 minutes contact time, but it takes longer than that to dry, so swirl it around and pour it out, it does the rest... I actually like the foam, because you KNOW it's getting everywhere...

the bottles has cool built in measuring, so no need to get out the teaspoons every time you need to use it... (pic (http://www.northernbrewer.com/pics/fullsize/star-san.jpg))

i'm using idophor as my primary sanitizer right now, but that's only because I also have a quart of it, and want to use some of it up before I go get another quart of Star San... my previous Star San quart lasted me close to two years...

[Steve16823]

Originally posted by danno
mix it with cold water, pour it in to your carboy, or bucket, or wherever, it needs 2 minutes contact time, but it takes longer than that to dry, so swirl it around and pour it out, it does the rest... I actually like the foam, because you KNOW it's getting everywhere...




Are you implying that you wait for the Star-San to dry? I don't think that's necessary. I drain the container (whether it be a bucket, carboy or keg) as best as I can and then I rack right into the residual foam. Most of it floats on top of the beer and is purged out as the container fills.

[mmmBeer...]

You also don’t have to make gallons at a time. I make one gallon and pour it in, shake it around to coat all surfaces, let rest for a min or two then pour it back into a one gallon jug. I also reuse it a couple of times before throwing it out. If you keep it sealed it will last a while.

[danno]

Steve, no, I didn't mean to imply I wait for Star-San to dry. I'm trying to get the point across that 2 minute contact time doesn't mean you have to have liquid in contact for two minutes, you can swirl it around, pour it right out, and the wetting you leave behind will accomplish the two minute time...

clear as mud, right?

[Steve16823]

Ahh.. Makes sense Danno. I just didn't read it that way for some reason.