You have to clean this stuff?!

[Redbird Fan]

If you have a cleaning trick, please share it!


Bottles
Fermenters
general equipment


I use the One-Step no rinse cleanser for convenience, although I've made the MISTAKE in using dish soap in the past.

I run my bottles through the dishwasher (no soap - and with no other dishes) full, heated cycle and haven't noticed any problems (I hear the spot-free rinse solutions can create problems). I use the One-Step no rinse before bottling even after the dishwasher run (actually I run them through the dishwasher twice, once after use, before storage and then again just before bottling on a heated rinse only limited cycle).

[shughes600]

Something I read recommended using only the amounts called for on the lable. Says that a solution too strong will actually damage your equipment over time.

[Redbird Fan]

looks like there's a vote for "other" -

what "other" did you use?

[batkins]

May not be the kind of tip your looking for, but I have found that wallpaper trays(the kind used to soak wallpaper when hanging it, long and skinny) are great for sanitizing things like racking canes, auto siphons, beer thief, etc. Those things that are too long for the sink.

[Tweek]

Heh the other was me. I use PLC for a cleaner and Iodophor for a sanitizer, The Iodophor is no rinse so that part is easy and the PLC I just let things soak in a little bit of it with some warm water and then whatever gunk is on there usually comes right off with minimal effort.

[S.F.B.]

I am the second other vote. I use TSP on my kegs for cleaning. I run bottles thru the diswasher. I use a no-rinse on both for sanitizing.

[rossmarp]

I'm in the One Step crew, however, I do use bleach for sanitizing the fermenters, whether it be the bucket or carboy. I add a bit over a cup and then fill to the brim and let stand for awhile. Usually this is convenient because you can let it stand while the boil is a-boilin' or while you prepare the other equipment for either racking to the secondary or bottling.

I *do* dig that idea about the wallpaper tray... I was racking my brain (yeah, that didn't take long) trying to think of the ideal way to accomodate the racking cane or wine thief without having to waste a ton of water or One-Step. Excellent.

[Redbird Fan]

I like the wallpaper tray idea too - I started the board / survey to get an idea of what others do. I'm fairly comfortable with the One-Step no-rinse.

To clean my hoses I've been starting a siphon and working the One-Step through that way.

My biggest mistake in cleaning, thus far, was using dish soap, scented too!

Bottles have been fairly easy to clean - no problems there - I like rinsing in the dishwasher with no soap (after rinsing well with the bottle washer) just as an added sanitary step (from the extra heat if nothing else - I set it on heated drying).

Toughest thing to clean has to be the 6.5 glass carboy (even with the elbow brush).

[BufordT]

I've been using 10ml of concentrated bleach per gallon of water on my plastic primary and glass secondary. A cup seems like a lot for 5 gallons. Is it just wishful thinking that 10ml/gal is enough? Bleach is pretty powerful stuff and my fear has been too much + not enough rinsing = bad beer.

[toneyc]

I dunno how much 10ml is, but I use a quarter cup of bleach for five gallons of water. I think I read it in the book that came with my kit, "The Joy of Homebrewing" maybe. It was not the Charlie P. book.

Edit: Oh, just found where I read how much bleach to use. It is on the St. Pat's page. Lynne says to use one tablespoon bleach per gallon. See: http://www.stpats.com/guidetip.htm

:) Toney.

[paul84043]

I fill a 5 gallon bucket and add one ounce of Star San pretty much every time I do anything serious. If I'm just doing a small job like taking some gravity readings, I'll put a gallon or so in the sink and hope I finish before it leaks past the plug.

I put all of my stuff in the bucket and let it sit while I'm doing my thing.
The thief and the racking cane go into the bucket or sink and I pour the sanitizing solution over them with a cup, then maybe flip them over and do it again.
It seems to work very well.

I don't think my wife ever thought she would see me claan the kitchen this many times in her entire life...

[Redbird Fan]

amen on the cleaning the kitchen thing - I don't think I ever thought I would be cleaning the kitchen up that much!

toughest cleaning job: boiling over your DME when preparing your yeast starter - I definitely heard about that one.

[paul84043]

I found out that if you throw an ice cube into a mason jar full of hot wort, it cools the wort....if you throw it in and shake the mason jar...it explodes.


I knew that...I just forgot for a minute. But hey, the stove hadn't had a good cleaning for a while anyway...

Hot wort sticks to everything.
It cools instantly.
It never comes off.
It smells really bad when the wort that fell into the oven through the air vent begins to burn off.

My next starter is going to get made in the garage.

[mic]

Why is using dish soap a mistake when cleaning you equipment?

[paul84043]

It's fine for cleaning as long as you rinse it all off. It leaves lots of nasty residue and is not a sanitizer at all.

[Redbird Fan]

yes, it will leave a residue - and that can effect your beer - especially if your dish soap is scented.

[Tweek]

mmmm soapy beer

[S.F.B.]

Here I thought soap residue would add to head retention.:p

[Tweek]

Are you saying it doesnt? hmm guess I wont be making the Ivory Ale anymore :p

[Redbird Fan]

...and my plans for a citrus scented breakfast beer - Dawn(s) Amber ale!

[hnrblbrbrn]

I always wondered why I'm teased about my beers running towards kerosene, it's the gasoline I use to clean everything. :D

[hnrblbrbrn]

I have multiple fermenters I like to cycle through. I prefer using one step immediately before brewing but if I'm not using it within the the next month or so, I like to use the bleach to sanitize before putting it up, just one of those quirks.
Oh yeah I don't let the bleach sit the whole time I'm not using the fermenter :)