Best known method for sanitizing a plastic fermenter?

[xscotto]

Hello,

The guy at my local homebrew supply told me he only ferments in glass, because it's impossible to effectively sanitize those large plastic buckets. I've had pretty good success with the buckets as a primary fermenter, but I'm about to start a BIG imperial stout that will need additional fermentation time.

Now that this guy has me paranoid, I was just wondering what the best known method for sanitizing plastic buckets are. I'm planning to mix up some One Step with the hottest water possible and letting that sit overnight.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!!!

[BrewDog]

I wouldn't say it's IMPOSSIBLE to sani a plastic bucket, but if it has any scratches in it, that makes it damn hard.

If yours is in good shape, don't worry about it. Just sani as usual.

You'll want to do a 1 - 2 week primary, followed by a longer than normal secondary. You'd NOT want to leave it in the primary any longer than that. Get a couple of glass 5 gal carboys and secondary in them instead. The plastic will over time leach oxygen into your beer. The glass carboys will not.

[fretlessman71]

My BIL told me that making a good starter helps with sanitation issues in a way, because the yeast gets going so fast that nothing has a chance to catch up to it. Dunno if you do that already, but it's a thought.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by BrewDog
I wouldn't say it's IMPOSSIBLE to sani a plastic bucket, but if it has any scratches in it, that makes it damn hard.

If yours is in good shape, don't worry about it. Just sani as usual.

You'll want to do a 1 - 2 week primary, followed by a longer than normal secondary. You'd NOT want to leave it in the primary any longer than that. Get a couple of glass 5 gal carboys and secondary in them instead. The plastic will over time leach oxygen into your beer. The glass carboys will not. HEY!!!!! BREWDOG HIT 1000 POSTS! WAY TO GO!!!! :D

[xscotto]

For this particular batch I'm double-pitching the yeast, and I'll shake the buh-jeezus out of it for airation. I also use the "yeast fuel" product AHS sells which helps to speed things up. I still haven't learned how to do the "yeast starter" thing yet.

I should also add that neither of my buckets have visible scratches, but super fine scratches wouldn't be visible anyway. Also, I do use a glass carboy for secondary, so no problem there I guess.

[zoom6zoom]

Also don't confuse sanitize with sterilize....

[BrewDog]

Scott-

I wouldn't worry about it, then.

BTW, and I'm not 100% positive on this, but overnight might be too long for One Step to remain active. As an alternative, I do know for sure that Star-San (and it's non-foaming version Sani-Clean) can be kept for WEEKS in a closed container.

(Thanks, Fret : ))

[xscotto]

Originally posted by zoom6zoom
Also don't confuse sanitize with sterilize....

Maybe I've done that. I use the word "sanitize" to mean killing all forms of microscopic life, most notably bacteria. I would say "cleaner" if I mean something to remove visible contamination, dirt, bugs, residual wort from the last batch, etc...

[YamahaXS]

i've always just used bleach and water to sanitize...

[HarkJohnny]

Originally posted by xscotto
For this particular batch I'm double-pitching the yeast, and I'll shake the buh-jeezus out of it for airation. I also use the "yeast fuel" product AHS sells which helps to speed things up.

PLEASE do yourself a favor and get some extra plastic tubing... maybe 3 feet or so. Connect it to the out tube of the bubbler and run other end into a bucket with sani-water in it. Be sure to clip the tube somehow to the side of the bucket so it doesn't come loose and out of the water. Keep an eye on it so in case you need to dump some of the liquid to keep your blowoff bucket from overfilling. :D

[Ill hophead]

I still haven't learned how to do the "yeast starter" thing yet.Read what John Palmer has to say about yeast starters here (http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/chapter6-5.html)

[brewmonkey]

Yes, a yeast starter helps cut down on possible infections but that would be from airborne problems. Anything in the bucket is a potential problem though.

As for the most effective way to sani a plastic bucket, dead rinse. Hot liquor at least 185F and held for a minimum of 5 minutes. Even if there are scratches anything in there would most likely not survive the temps.

[xscotto]

Originally posted by HarkJohnny
PLEASE do yourself a favor and get some extra plastic tubing... maybe 3 feet or so. Connect it to the out tube of the bubbler and run other end into a bucket with sani-water in it. Be sure to clip the tube somehow to the side of the bucket so it doesn't come loose and out of the water. Keep an eye on it so in case you need to dump some of the liquid to keep your blowoff bucket from overfilling. :D

Funny you should say that. This may have been the first batch I've made that should have had a blow-off tube instead of an airlock. When I came home from work and opened up the fridge door, I was shocked to find it had blown the lid off the fermenter. Not off completely, but just on one side and a bunch of foam coming out. I think the airlock had become plugged and stopped releasing.

I just pushed the lid back closed, removed and cleaned out the airlock, punched a few extra holes in the airlock's tiny lid, replaced it and it was fine after that. It was gurgling more violently than any batch I've made yet.

Now I'm concerned about bactierial infection after that. Has anyone else had the lid blow off and had successful or unsuccessful results? I figure with all that outgassing that contaminated air would have a hard time going in, but who knows. It gurgled for about 3 more days, and now it seems almost inactive. I kinda expected the slow gurgling to continue for about 8 to 10 days for a batch that should yield around 9.3% abv...

[fretlessman71]

Your instincts are correct - odds are you ought to be fine. Like you said, with all that pressure going out, it's going to be hard for wild yeastybeasties to get in. Add to that the fact that you didn't have a very big gap for much to get in and out and I'd say you ought to send me a bottle of this stuff when it's done just for setting your mind at ease. ;)

[xscotto]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Your instincts are correct - odds are you ought to be fine. Like you said, with all that pressure going out, it's going to be hard for wild yeastybeasties to get in. Add to that the fact that you didn't have a very big gap for much to get in and out and I'd say you ought to send me a bottle of this stuff when it's done just for setting your mind at ease. ;)

I just transferred over to the glass carboy. The lid was so caked with splatter you couldn't see a bit of plastic anywhere. It was like an imperial stout bomb went off. So far, seems like a perfect holiday brew in the making. With one of those in my hand, I won't even notice the In-laws.

Give me your snail mail. If I like how it turns out, I'll send ya one.

[fretlessman71]

Keep me posted on its progress - if you like what you're tasting, I'll send you some CO holiday brews in trade - howzzat? :)

[xscotto]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Keep me posted on its progress - if you like what you're tasting, I'll send you some CO holiday brews in trade - howzzat? :)

Sounds like a bargain if you ask me. I'll keep ya posted...

[corkybstewart]

This thread is a little old but I just got around to it. I've had several fermenter lids blow off-usually when I'm at work out of town and my wife is home. I've never had it ruin a batch. I think the positive pressure flowing out keeps the nasties away. I always use a blow-of tube now, and except for the noise it always works great. If you just poke holes in the top of the airlock you'll get krausen all over the fermenter lid, the counter and eventually the floor.