Cleaning

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Permalink Reply by denimglen on August 2, 2009 at 7:28pm

What are you fermenting in? Standard HDPE brew bucket I assume?

I'd throw away that cleaner stuff you have, especially if it has a Brewcraft sticker on it.

All the brewery related cleaning I do is done with the unscented napisan (or similar brand) in hot water, followed by a hot water rinse until clear of all residue. Sanitising is then done with StarSan, mixed up at 1.5mL per Litre of water - at this concentration it sanitises in about 30 seconds and does not need to be rinsed.

If there beer smell isn't to strong I wouldn't worry about it, the next brew will cover it up ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Pilgrim on August 2, 2009 at 7:39pm

I'll endorse Glen's comments. I use Clorox Oxy Magic as a cleaner. All of the Oxy cleaners use Sodium Percarbonate as the active ingredient which breaks down easily so is environmentally friendly, if you care about that sort of thing. Napi San has 14% active ingredient whilst Clorox has 33% active ingredient for about the same price. StarSan rocks.
Don't worry about a small amount of residual beer smell, plastics will absorb some smell but it won't hurt your next brew.

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Permalink Reply by Peter Dear on August 2, 2009 at 7:42pm

thanks, are all of these products available at NZ supermarkets?

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Permalink Reply by denimglen on August 2, 2009 at 7:53pm

Napisan or similar is. You're looking for something with a 'percarbonate' as an active ingredient. You want the unscented/sensitive-skin version, otherwise those smells will be leached onto your equipment.

StarSan is only available via homebrew stores. Where are you located?

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Permalink Reply by Peter Dear on August 2, 2009 at 8:36pm

karori, wellington

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Permalink Reply by Pilgrim on August 2, 2009 at 10:41pm

Give Great Expectations a ring out at Lower Hutt, they may have StarSan. I get my Oxy Magic from Pak-n-Save.

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Permalink Reply by Nolen Smith on August 4, 2009 at 11:06am

Great Expectations in Lower Hutt do carry StarSan (it's where I buy it usually). Though he seems to often only stock one at a time as he is often out of it when I stop by (and I've only ever seen one bottle on the shelf).

You can also mail order it from Brewers Coop in Auckland.

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Permalink Reply by Peter Dear on August 3, 2009 at 2:45pm

have bought some clorox oxy magic - am slightly disturbed though as it seems to be designed to clean clothes - i have got the right stuff yeh?

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Permalink Reply by James P on August 3, 2009 at 3:26pm

Yep, if it cleans babies nappies, it's gonna clean your fermenter.... no worries! (Just as long as it is not scented).

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Permalink Reply by denimglen on August 3, 2009 at 4:03pm

Yeap, that's it mate.

I clean everything beer related with it, even my glassware.

I soak in that shit overnight will remove damn near any organic dirt.

I heart percarbonate.

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Permalink Reply by Dale on August 5, 2009 at 12:54pm

Do you use this on copper as well?

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Permalink Reply by denimglen on August 5, 2009 at 3:57pm

Not usually but I can't see why not. Too long of a soak may cause some oxidation though, but it wouldn't be a biggie. Most of my copper stuff is rinsed with water straight after use so I don't really bother 'cleaning' it as such.

A side note - vinegar is awesome for cleaning copper, some vinegar and water in a pot, chuck your copper in, boil for a while = shiny copper.

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