The practice of removing the majority of microorganisms from equipment, utentils, fermentors, bottles etc. that comes into contact with the cooled wort. Poor sanitation can contaminate the wort, producing off-flavors.
7
votes
1answer
466 views
How can you use an oaken barrel for secondary fermentation?
I may be able to get my hands on a oaken barrel that I'd love to age a Scottish ale in. What can I do to sanitize it adequately and minimize oxygen exposure?
6
votes
5answers
2k views
How long do sanitized bottles keep?
If you sanitize a bunch of bottles and store them upside down on a tree or in a box (still upside down); how long can you store them like that before you feel the need to resanitize them?
Is there a ...
3
votes
3answers
887 views
Can the plastic caps on PET bottles be re-used?
My brew kit came with 750mL plastic (PET) bottles & screw-on caps, which I've used. The "safety seals" are broken, but I thought they were more an indicator of product tampering than a functional ...
6
votes
1answer
669 views
What do I need to refurbish a corny keg?
What do I need to prepare a used corny keg (picked up at a flea market say) for brewing?
Should I replace the seals?
Do I need a special tool to remove the posts?
What products and techniques ...
8
votes
7answers
467 views
How do you sanitize the outside of your racking cane?
I'd love to hear the creative ways which folks have come up with to sanitize the outside of their racking cane.
Sanitizing the inside is straightforward - siphon some sanitizing solution through the ...
2
votes
2answers
418 views
Is there a problem if one forgets to sanitize caps?
I bottle about a third of my batches in longnecks with crown caps. On my most recent brew (that's carbing up now) I forgot to sanitize the caps. Didn't realize this until I had bottled everything ...
8
votes
5answers
2k views
Boiling bottle caps
I've always soaked my bottle caps in sanitizer before using, but a friend of mine suggested boiling (throw in the same pot with priming sugar) instead because the cooties can theoretically hide from ...
6
votes
2answers
217 views
Hopping In Secondary
I'm brewing an IPA that calls for the addition of hops when I rack to secondary. I have pelletized hops still sealed in their plastic packaging and I'm wondering if they can be added to the secondary ...
6
votes
2answers
755 views
Is it okay to store a batch of mixed star-san?
I use a spray bottle with star san, so I don't use a lot of it each time I brew.
Is it okay to store the rest in a bucket and then refill my spray bottle when I need some?
I've read that it should ...
5
votes
3answers
628 views
Do you reuse Io Star Iodophor Sanitizer?
I understand that Io Star Iodophor Sanitizer is reusable, but it seems cumbersome. Do you reuse this sanitizer?
4
votes
3answers
298 views
Removing Fruit From Secondary
I recently brewed a peach hefeweizen and I added 7lb of fresh peaches to the secondary. I just chunked the peaches and popped them into the carboy. I have siphoned the beer out for bottling and now ...
7
votes
2answers
709 views
How long does StarSan last?
I keep StarSan in a spray bottle for easier sanitizing during brew day.
How long does the StarSan last in that bottle? Is it good forever?
9
votes
3answers
4k views
Consequences of infection in a beer?
Everyone learns during their first brewing experience that you have to carefully sanitize anything that touches your wort after the boil to avoid infection.
What happens when wort gets infected? How ...
2
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I clean an old carboy?
I received a 5 gallon carboy that I want to use but it has some crud in the curve of the bottle. What's the best way to clean this off?
7
votes
2answers
531 views
Keeping a bottle of no-rinse sanitiser
Some sanitisers, like star-san, chemipro oxi and betadine are no-rinse in certain dilutions. Star-san can additionaly be kept diluted in a bottle for months and used whenever one wishes. Can the same ...
2
votes
2answers
874 views
Boiling water and plastic equipment
I've been boiling my water prior to brewing (extract), and pouring this whilst still hot into my plastic barrel figuring the boiling water will make sure anything that survived the sanitisation is ...
3
votes
1answer
472 views
Sanitizing Second Hand Equipment (plastic fermenters etc)
Would you ever use second hand brewing equipment?
What's the best way of making sure it's absolutely clean?
Ordinarily, for something like this, I'd just buy new (so you know where it's been), or ...
5
votes
2answers
985 views
Beer tastes like sanitizer
I've used a no-rinse iodophor sanitizer both times I've brewed. Both times the beer seems to taste a bit like sanitizer. Is it possible I am using too much sanitizer? The last beer I brewed was an ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
preparing fruit for secondary
What is the best method for preparing different fruits for fruit additions into secondary fermentors?
There are issues of sanitation and good fruit to wort contact, via chopping, slicing, mincing or ...
11
votes
6answers
2k views
[WIKI] Bottle Sanitizing Techniques - Pros & Cons
What are the pros and cons of each bottle sanitizing method? Let's look at time, equipment, quality of sanitation, and other factors.
Post one answer for each method. Edit the answers if you have ...
