Beginner - still confused about sanitizers

[duotwr]

Hi there

First post, and first time trying to make home brew in about 20 years!

I'm sorted out with the gear I need, and hoping to start the Woodforde Wherry kit this week. Having read, and re-read, numerous posts about sanitizing gear I still feel confused. I'd be grateful for any simple answers.

I've bought some cleanser/steriliser from Wilko's - labelled Bruclens. I assume I can use this for my FV and other kit - just by mixing a soaking for a while as per instructions? Anything I should bear in mind for this step?

When I come to do my bottles (I'm getting from by brother in law who runs a pub) I'm planning to give them a soak in Oxyclean, and then sanitise. Should I just use the Bruclens as for the FV, or would you recommend getting Videne to do this? The main issue is time - with two young kids I need to get these jobs done as quickly as possible.

And on this note - can I sanitize bottles a few days before and just cover the openings with clingfilm until needed?

Thanks for reading. Looking forward to getting started!

Keith

 

[graysalchemy]

Welcome to the forum :thumb:

There is a good How to explaining all the different types of products available. If you are using one of the chlorine based products you need to rinse them afterwards. Personally I wouldn't sanitise then cover with clingfilm best having a bucket to dunk in for a few minutes jusy before bottling.

You say your brother in law works in a pub, he may be able to get you some starsan which is a good no rinse sanitiser. :thumb: :thumb:

 

[joe1002]

Welcome to the forum :

THIS is the thread GA is referring to :thumb: :thumb:

 

[duotwr]

Thanks for the replies. I'll go with what I've got to start with, but see about getting some Star San for future brews.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Keith

 

[marksa222]

I have used the same sanitiser and here's what I did;

FV - boiled 5 litres of water and dump it in the fv with 4 teaspoons of the sanitiser. Put any equipment that will touch the beer in the fv and put the lid on. It needs to be left for 10 mins, but swirl it round the fv quite a few times during the 10 mins. (During this 10 mins, I soak the can in hot water to thin it out a bit for later on.)

After 10 mins, put the water into the clean sink and sanitise the lid. If your lid clips on, I guess you could just put the whole thing upside down. I have a coopers fv that doesn't clip shut. Because I have a tap, I run the water through that into the sink, then disconnect it and put that in with the lid. I took the tap out after a few mins so I could crack on with the rest. Including sanitising, I got the whole brew on the go with 40 mins.

Bottles - I wash as I go. When it's empty I have rinsed it out and give them a decent clean when I'm delabeling (I tend to do when I've got about 8 to do) I quickly give each one a rinse out again as it could have been several weeks since I washed it originally, and put to one side. When they're all done, I fill the sink, add 4 teaspoons or the sanitiser and fit as many as I can in there and leave for 10 mins. I can get about 6-8 in my sink. After 10 mins, I take them out, put another 6-8 in. I rinse and shake dry the first lot, add the sugar, fill and cap. When thats done, I take the second lot out of the sink and repeat the process. The caps I put in a jug of 500mls water and 1/2 tspn of sanitiser at the start.

I think it took about an hour and a half - 2 hours to bottle, but I wasn't rushing round... I was having a pint : .

If your rushed for time, it might be worth looking at Star San. I'm bottling tonight using that, and I'm hoping to get it all done in 20-30 mins all being well. I have also found a decent way of draining instead of shaking them dry, and that is opening the dish washer and pulling the top drawer open and standing them upside down in there. The gap in mine is enough for the bottle neck to sit nicely in, but maybe a bit of a balancing act! I need a bottletree really...

Best of luck!

 

[lukehgriffiths]

I don't currently use bottles but planning to do some and without doubt will be using star san. Currently use bruclens to do stuff like FV etc... Star san does not clean just sanitise but is.rinse free.and just the best thing by miles. Can also be reused by maintaining the fluid. I keep a.spray bottle handy as it gives a 2 min emergency sanitiser for dropped.airlocks etc Also great for boiler and FV taps when brewing and barrelling. The potential to just swirl and drain bottles is great and even if it is food safe so won't leave a taste and shouldn't harm you in small concentrations.