Team,
I have been reading all I can on this board over the last few days - great site fellas. I used to make my own beer for years with satisfactory results (it was good but not bragging material) however stopped doing it about a year and a half ago. I am going to start up again soon when it is not so hot up here in the tropics, and was wondering if anyone can help out. I have never used chemicals in my fermenters (one 30 litr, one 60 l) due to my old man drumming it into me that chemicals will spoil your brew - he had a bad experience once with not washing out some metabisulphate which he then brewed over the top of - end result one dead drum. I have only ever cleaned with a chux and hot water for about 50 brews in my small drum and 30 odd thru the big drum and never had one brew go bad. Maybe more arse than class I imagine.
Anyway, the question i have is this. The two drums have now sat in my shed for the 18 months. I want to give them a proper clean before I start up again, as well as the 300 bottles i have to sort out. I realise that everyone on here uses chemicals and i think I have to do this also to get the stuff back into order - basically I'm just too scared to do it. Will chemicals kill my drums?? I just have this underlying fear that what the old man said may come true - chemicals are no good near your beer. Any kind words of reassurance would be most appreciated
Restarting brewing
Restarting brewing
Evo wrote:I'd suggest you swallow a packet of Safale (your body temp would be too hot for a lager yeast) and some finishing hops and call me tomorrow.
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Oliver
- Administrator
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: Thursday Jul 22, 2004 1:22 am
- Location: West Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Whitty,
Welcome. My advice would be this:
To get your fermenters back into condition before you start brewing with them, sterilise with unscented bleach (don't forget to run some through the tap, which is where many nasties hide) and rinse well in hot water. There shouldn't be any residual bleach left (even if there is, it will soon evaporate).
Given your reluctance to use chemicals and the fact that you've never had a problem, just keep on doing what you used to. Some people here might be shocked by that, but my view is, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Cheers,
Oliver
Welcome. My advice would be this:
To get your fermenters back into condition before you start brewing with them, sterilise with unscented bleach (don't forget to run some through the tap, which is where many nasties hide) and rinse well in hot water. There shouldn't be any residual bleach left (even if there is, it will soon evaporate).
Given your reluctance to use chemicals and the fact that you've never had a problem, just keep on doing what you used to. Some people here might be shocked by that, but my view is, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Cheers,
Oliver