cleaning / sterilising products

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marco491

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I have done four kit brews now, and so far so (very) good. Having decided that this is a hobby I can definitely go with, I want to rack up my supplies.

For cleaning, so far I have been using little pots of Youngs steriliser/cleaner, but I have heard people talking about things on here like soda crystals / oxygen-based laundry stain removers / and plain old diluted bleach. Any advice on what is the best bulk buy for my mixture of plastic buckets and about-to-be-delivered cornies?

Thanks!
 
I wash everything with oxy cleaner available in supermarkets to make sure everything is clean.

I then sanitise everything with Starsan, which is a no rinse sanitiser, other people use peracetic acid or videne as no rinse sanitisers.

You can sanitise with a bleach solution, but you have to do lots of rinsing to get rid of the smell.
 
Hi,
I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you use chlorine based sanitisers (thin bleach, VWP etc.) and your brew ends up tasting like TCP then it's probably down to not rinsing enough. I've had so many bad TCP brews, I've switched to using Videne and peracetic acid. I just can't trust myself :D
 
Thanks for those two replies already. As I live in Germany I am looking for something generic that I can easily get hold of or at least ask for. They might have their own version of Videne here but I'm damned if my German is up to explaining that to the old lady in the local pharmacy :)

And no, they're not big on home brew here, no specialist stores near me - local brewery in every town makes it a very niche hobby!
 
marco491 said:
For cleaning, so far I have been using little pots of Youngs steriliser/cleaner, but I have heard people talking about things on here like soda crystals / oxygen-based laundry stain removers / and plain old diluted bleach. Any advice on what is the best bulk buy for my mixture of plastic buckets and about-to-be-delivered cornies?
Click to expand...
If you've got or acquire any old demijohns the Young's cleaner & steriliser is absolutely excellent on heavily soiled glassware.

For buckets and Cornelii I use the oxy cleaners, but then I disinfect with Videne.

So are you a Brit living in Germany, and if so do you come back here often? If you can get it, a 500ml bottle of Videne lasts a very long time.
 
Thanks for all the advice. I'll try to unearth some Chemipro Oxi here in some cleaning materials outlet, it does indeed exist. It seems silly to pay shipping costs for such stuff but it's really not that all expensive - I guess I was just hoping I could find something suitable in the local supermarket, cheapskate that I am!

Otherwise I could try to get some videne next time I am back (though I heard it was difficult to find?)

Thanks again.
 
I got my Videne online from a pharmacy. Cost about £5 plus £5 delivery. Just google and find one, if you struggle to get it over the counter. Failing that I'm sure you will get an overeas delivery of starsan from one of the online homebrew suppliers.
 
Just got Videne today, for first time, at Tesco pharmacy.

By fluke, they had some in stock so didn't even have to order it in.
 
I used to use VWP, but now I just use the sterilising fluid / tablets from the supermarket that you use for sterilising baby bottles - Morrisons seems to be cheapest at 82p for 1250ml, ASDA is 80p for 1000ml (I do appreciate you are not in the UK, but I guess you will have the equivalent German supermarket own brand stuff).

For heavily stained / soiled fv's, I use soda crystals first.

I've not had a brew in all my time brewing taste of TCP, or had a brew fail as a result of my sanitisation regime. After dropping the primary to secondary, I immediately clean the primary, so all my FV's are more or less spotless straight away.

if you want no rinse I would go with the Starsan suggestion from the others etc.

HTH
 
I get that oxi clean powder from poundshop and videne by mail order.

Videne has pretty much changed my life lol :thumb:
 
Hi All, Newb here so be gentle. Going to start my first kit tonight and purchased the basic Woodfordes Wherry as a starting point. Nowhere on the instructions does it really get into sterilising and I am a bit worried. For a first time would it be ok to use hot soapy water to clean and then the steriliser that came with it. I've been reading about soda and videne and that looks like the way I'll go in the future.

Also will normal tap water be ok or do I really need to get some Campden Tabs before I start. My nearest Shop is 15 miles away and I am quite prepared to drive to it this afternoon if totally neccessary. But was kind of hoping that what I have would be good enough for a first effort.

Cheers Ian
 
I'm not sure what comes with the kit (does it say what it is?) but I would certainly advise that you sterilise the bucket before you add the extract and water.

I wouldn't bother with the soapy water, just make sure that you have thoroughly cleaned the bucket and ensure there are not bit sticking to the sides etc. Then use the sterliser and, assuming it is probably chlorine based, ensure you fully rinse it off.
 
okay, you will be fine with that. Just use according to the instructions and ensure that all parts of the fermenter get contact with the sterilising solution.

You will want to get something a bit more cost effective for future brews but you are good to go for this one.

:thumb:
 
Cool :thumb: Right, time to go and wipe the kitchen down, sterilise and get brewing. Got 2 hours with no wife and kids so should be fine and dandy with no interuptions.
 
Bugger, I'm right on the 21-27°c temp. The ambient temp in my kitchen is 27°c, should I brew or wait til the evening.

(what a newb) :oops:
 

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