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G'day all

Am interested in hearing your different methods for sanitising your bottles and fermenter for that matter.
I use unscented bleach but want to move away from it if possible.

Is there any other cheap and simple methods people use that work.?


Phill

i use no rinse sanitiser in a spray bottle it is cheap, easy and it seems to do the trick.

I use sterex, costs about $20 for 1.5kg (powder) but you only use 1 scoop (provided) which is about a level tablespoon per 2.5 litres cold water so its pretty cost effective, i brew up to six fermenters at a time and go through i tub in about 5-6 months

melbourne man do you just use a water sprayer to squirt each bottle?

erm. Miltons tablets.

yer i just use a sprayer and do maybe 5-6 squirts per bottle.

Whats wrong with Anti-bacterial solution as used to sterilize babies bottles? This works well and I rinse twice using a trigger hose (gives a high pressure rinse). Never had any problems and there is no sterilizer taste in the beer due to this sterilizing method.

I use Iodophor - no rinse, and economical (just 1ml per litre).

I use a spray pack 500ml, and that sanitises my fermenter etc. I also have a bottle steriliser pump thing which needs 1 litre.

I use Sodium Metabisulphite, but only cos that's what my (mostly wine focussed) HBS sold me when I was starting out. I won't be buying it again, and will probably instead move to Idophor. It does the job, but it's a bit harsh on me!

For the bottles, I have some alkaline salts and a bottle brush (which helps with the mould that can form in the bottom of the bottle if they haven't been rinsed). If you're really anal you can use the alkaline salts on your beer glasses instead of detergent to protect your head.

rwh wrote:I use Sodium Metabisulphite, but only cos that's what my (mostly wine focussed) HBS sold me when I was starting out. I won't be buying it again, and will probably instead move to Idophor. It does the job, but it's a bit harsh on me!

For the bottles, I have some alkaline salts and a bottle brush (which helps with the mould that can form in the bottom of the bottle if they haven't been rinsed). If you're really anal you can use the alkaline salts on your beer glasses instead of detergent to protect your head.

I used to use sodium metabasulphate but as you say its a bit harsh on you and really gets done you nose and throat, sterex is the version of this that is for asthmatics and is substantialy less iritating, thats the only reason i changed, i was thinking of getting a gas mask but thought sterex may be a better option also if your running round the house with a mask on and mixing powder solutions people could get the impression your running a drug lab

rwh wrote:I use Sodium Metabisulphite, but only cos that's what my (mostly wine focussed) HBS sold me when I was starting out. I won't be buying it again, and will probably instead move to Idophor. It does the job, but it's a bit harsh on me! :

Thats the way I went, from Sodium met to Iodophor. It is MUCH better, and less harsh. I feel a lot safer using Iodophor.

lethaldog wrote:I use sterex, costs about $20 for 1.5kg (powder) but you only use 1 scoop (provided) which is about a level tablespoon per 2.5 litres cold water so its pretty cost effective, i brew up to six fermenters at a time and go through i tub in about 5-6 months

Where do you get that one from?

about any homebrew store should have it

luckyphill wrote:G'day all

Am interested in hearing your different methods for sanitising your bottles and fermenter for that matter.
I use unscented bleach but want to move away from it if possible.

Is there any other cheap and simple methods people use that work.?


Phill

A mate of mine uses Napisan.

She says that as long as you rinse it properly, no worries.

Have not been game enough yet myself. She has minimal infections over a year. About 1%.

I too have been using nappy san,and have never had an infection yet from 45 brews.I also use it to disinfect my fermenter.

I am another who uses Milton Anti-bacterial tablets for all my brewing equipment & bottles.

No rinsing required, and economical if one is able to organize oneself. Sometimes I succeed in this department, but frequently fail. The penalty for failure only costs a few cents extra, which probably explains something!

I soak all my bottles in Sodium Percarbonate (nappy san - the soap) after use, to break down any build up on the bottles. I rinse out & leave to dry. Then swirl a small amount of Iodophor in each bottle before botting.

mark68 wrote:I too have been using nappy san,and have never had an infection yet from 45 brews.I also use it to disinfect my fermenter.

Hey Mark68,

Bought some Napisan 2 day and will give a run. If this doesn't work will try Lethaldogs stuff from HB shop.

Thanks for the tip 45 is good going for 0 infections.............

I've been using Pink Stuff from HBS but is about $6.00 per "Chinese Takeaway Tub" and I generally go overboard and it only lasts me a few times.

Boonie