how do I sanitize?

JeffPorter · Post by **JeffPorter** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 9:37 am

The kit that I got from Randy has a small packet of sodium metabicarbonite, or something...how do I use it?

phat matt · Post by **phat matt** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:09 pm

I did a search on sodium metabicarbonite, and it is said to a water softener. Probably to help the malt come through in your brown ale.

Personaly I used bleach for awhile without a problems. Something like a cap full per 5 gallons if I recall correctly. Lots will say not to use it, but i havent had any problems yet. Just be sure to rinse out the container after using it. LAtely though I have switched to one step sanitizer, so I dont have to rinse the containers. Saves some time and water. This link should help you out.
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index. ... Sanitizing

phat matt · Post by **phat matt** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:16 pm

After looking over that link i noticed Sodium Metabisulfite. is that what you meant? if so there are directions for use on that link.

grub · Post by **grub** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:34 pm

bleach may work, but it's SO much easier to use a no-rinse sanitizer...

cannondale · Post by **cannondale** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 1:22 pm

He must have meant sodium metabisulfite. The trouble with that is that sanitation requires a long contact time. Honestly, save yourself the trouble and get some starsan or iodophor or no rinse sanitizer of some sort.

JeffPorter · Post by **JeffPorter** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 2:26 pm

Yes, sorry, I meant the metabisulphite...It's all I have right now...(and Randy's closed)...

So IF I was to go ahead and use the metabisulphite just for this ferment and get the no rinse next week for bottling, what might I need to do? Right now, I'm just anxious to start and get in going and fermenting...

Thanks for all the help guys...

JerCraigs · Post by **JerCraigs** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:17 pm

grub wrote:bleach may work, but it's SO much easier to use a no-rinse sanitizer...

Star San is supposed to be no rinse right? I got a TON of foam/bubbles when I used it in my carboy... Did I add too much?

phirleh · Post by **phirleh** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 5:01 pm

JerCraigs wrote:
grub wrote:bleach may work, but it's SO much easier to use a no-rinse sanitizer...
Star San is supposed to be no rinse right? I got a TON of foam/bubbles when I used it in my carboy... Did I add too much?

No, the foam means it`s working, and increases contact time by sticking to the insides of your carboy. I stopped using bleach and swiched to starsan. Buy some distilled water from the supermarket and add the proper amount of starsan. Put it in a spray bottle or put some in a bucket for immersion and reuse the starsan when you are done. Only caveat is that it is a sanitizer and not a cleaner.

It`s also somewhat of a yeast nutrient, and is drinkable. Serve it at your next tasting and astound your guests (well no, don`t do that)

icemachine · Post by **icemachine** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:37 pm

I use sodium metabisulfite, only because I was given a box of it, and I'm too cheap to throw it out. But its almost used up and I will switch to Starsan then, as I already use PBW for cleaning.

cannondale · Post by **cannondale** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 6:54 pm

JeffPorter wrote:Yes, sorry, I meant the metabisulphite...It's all I have right now...(and Randy's closed)...

So IF I was to go ahead and use the metabisulphite just for this ferment and get the no rinse next week for bottling, what might I need to do? Right now, I'm just anxious to start and get in going and fermenting...

Thanks for all the help guys...

http://www.eckraus.com/wine-making-sodi ... lfite.html

Have a read through this document.

Cale · Post by **Cale** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:46 pm

cannondale wrote:
JeffPorter wrote:Yes, sorry, I meant the metabisulphite...It's all I have right now...(and Randy's closed)...

So IF I was to go ahead and use the metabisulphite just for this ferment and get the no rinse next week for bottling, what might I need to do? Right now, I'm just anxious to start and get in going and fermenting...

Thanks for all the help guys...
http://www.eckraus.com/wine-making-sodi ... lfite.html

Have a read through this document.

I use this stuff at work. Pretty powerful when mixed with citric acid. Watch your nose as the fumes are intense! I hate the stuff due to the smell, and I've managed to get my employers to switch partly to StarSan, which will likely be the most recommended santitizer. I haven't used Iodophor but I would probably recommend it, as StarSan can be a little "fragile". The only real downside to Iodophor seems to be the staining on plastic.

iguenard · Post by **iguenard** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 9:52 pm

I use this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peracetic_acid

Brewers I know use caustic acid (http://www.ask.com/questions-about/Caustic-Acid), but thats a bit hardcore for me. Have some, but I'm afraid to use it.

JerCraigs · Post by **JerCraigs** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:28 pm

phirleh wrote:
JerCraigs wrote:
grub wrote:bleach may work, but it's SO much easier to use a no-rinse sanitizer...
Star San is supposed to be no rinse right? I got a TON of foam/bubbles when I used it in my carboy... Did I add too much?
No, the foam means it`s working, and increases contact time by sticking to the insides of your carboy. I stopped using bleach and swiched to starsan. Buy some distilled water from the supermarket and add the proper amount of starsan. Put it in a spray bottle or put some in a bucket for immersion and reuse the starsan when you are done. Only caveat is that it is a sanitizer and not a cleaner.

Can you describe how you use it? I filled the 5 gallon carboy with Star San mix and sloshed it around for a while. There was more foam leftover than I was comfortable leaving without someone telling me it was okay.

bufordsbest · Post by **bufordsbest** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:24 am

phirleh wrote:
JerCraigs wrote:
grub wrote:bleach may work, but it's SO much easier to use a no-rinse sanitizer...
Star San is supposed to be no rinse right? I got a TON of foam/bubbles when I used it in my carboy... Did I add too much?
No, the foam means it`s working, and increases contact time by sticking to the insides of your carboy. I stopped using bleach and swiched to starsan. Buy some distilled water from the supermarket and add the proper amount of starsan. Put it in a spray bottle or put some in a bucket for immersion and reuse the starsan when you are done. Only caveat is that it is a sanitizer and not a cleaner.

It`s also somewhat of a yeast nutrient, and is drinkable. Serve it at your next tasting and astound your guests (well no, don`t do that)

why distilled water? I've never heard of having to use starsan with distilled, i've always used it with tap water with great success.

bufordsbest · Post by **bufordsbest** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:26 am

JerCraigs wrote:
phirleh wrote:
JerCraigs wrote: Star San is supposed to be no rinse right? I got a TON of foam/bubbles when I used it in my carboy... Did I add too much?
No, the foam means it`s working, and increases contact time by sticking to the insides of your carboy. I stopped using bleach and swiched to starsan. Buy some distilled water from the supermarket and add the proper amount of starsan. Put it in a spray bottle or put some in a bucket for immersion and reuse the starsan when you are done. Only caveat is that it is a sanitizer and not a cleaner.
Can you describe how you use it? I filled the 5 gallon carboy with Star San mix and sloshed it around for a while. There was more foam leftover than I was comfortable leaving without someone telling me it was okay.

when filling a bucket or carboy i actually put the starsan liquid in first and then add water on top to get the most foam action possible. even contact with the foam will sanitize the vessel as long as it's free of debris. often times when filling a carboy or keg i'll have foaming pouring out of the top of the vessel as the height of the liquid gets near the top.

don't fear the foam!