Cleaning

[snooka]

I have a cleaning guestion. What do most of you clean your buckets,carboys and other equipment with? Star-san, other cleaners or is clean water good enough?

[Prairiepiss]

Starsan isn't a cleaner. It's a sanitizer. You need to clean it first then sanitize it. I use oxyclean to clean whatever I'm cleaning. Then starsan.

I wouldn't recommend dish soap. They don't rinse off good. And most have a flowery smell. That can and will carry over to your product.

You want to clean the crud off with a cleaner. You want to do this as soon as you can. So it is easier to do. When cleaning say a plastic bucket. You don't want to have to scrub the plastic. Scrubbing will scratch the plastic. Making places for bacteria to collect. Making the next step harder.
After you get it clean. Then you want to sanitize it before use. You should do this right before use. Or with enough time for whatever you use to work. You just don't want to sanitize it. Then sit it aside for bacteria to collect in it. Then a week or two later use it. You are better off putting it away after cleaning. Then sanitize it when you about to use it. Good thing about starsan. You can spray it down just before you use it. And you don't have to rinse. Just leave it wet and go.

I should add there are many ways to sanitize. Bleach water is one. That should be rinsed good before use. Boiling water is another. There are iodine sanitizers available. They work good. But need to be rinsed. There are many others. With a little searching. You will find all kinds of ways.

I just find having a spray bottle of starsan around. A lot more handy and easy. Spray and go.

[snooka]

Thanks for the reply PP

[Truckinbutch]

PP gave the best advice anyone could

[Windy City]

+1 on Mr P's reply with a little more explanation.
Use a percarbinate cleaner (follow manufacturers instructions, normally 1 tblsp per gal) then let soak (no brushing or scrubbing) for approx 24 hours and rinse. This will loosen and clean the toughest grunge. Years ago when my cousin first turned me on to this I used to use all sorts of brushes, rinsing tools and elbow grease. Since then my brushes lay dormant. I use this method on all my brewing, distilling, fermenting and kegging equipment. After this cleaning I store my equipment unti ready to use then follow Mr P's instructions and spray down with a heavy solution of Star San. Bobs your uncle and your ready to go
On a side note I have tried many of the percarbinate cleaners. I prefer Straight A or PBW, I just finished a 5 gal bucket of Craft Meister and was not impressed. I have used Oxy Clean in a pinch.
I prefer the Straight A or the PBW for how well the work and I don't have to

Good Luck
Hope this helps

Windy City

[MitchyBourbon]

I never use anything but hot water and a soft all cotton rag. I never let a fermenter sit long enough for crud to get dried on. I use starsan after cleaning. I also treat with starsan just before filling with wort.

If I suspect a fermenter had an infection I treat it with bleach. I also clean down my work area and my mash room (garage). It may sound like overkill but if if you get an infection chances are your work surfaces are contaminated. You will continue to be plagued (pun intended) until you eliminate the sources.

[Hound Dog]

I spray it out with a hose and let it dry or start another ferment.