Cleaners/Satinisers & Exposure To Metals

[markp]

Hi there,
Our hobby invloves so much cleaning that I'm always on the look out for products that will make our brewing lives easier.
When ordering some hops the other day I came accross 'FiveStar Saniclean', so without thinking too much I ordered a bottle.

The active ingredients - 'a blend of phosphoric acid and Sulfonate Oleic Acid'
Low foaming, non-rinse at less than 200ppm, non-spotting.
Then I read this - 'It is not recommended to use SANICLEAN on soft metals because of
the acid nature of this product'

Now this has got me a little worried as my brewery is principally all metal.
I'm using stainless Nordic pots converted by muddydisco.....the bottom drains are fitted with copper pipe outlets and there is a side drain to ball valve on the HLT.

My intention with the Saniclean was to use it for cleaning out the tun and boiler at the end of each brew day as well as using it to clean and sanitise FV's.

Does anyone have any more detailled information on this cleaner or this type of cleaner and the do's and don'ts?
I don't really want to disolve my mash tun or have the outlet pipe of my boiler fall off mid-boil.

Thanks in advance :)

 

[phettebs]

Hi Mark,
I use StarSan which is also phosphoric acid based. It's a sanitizer though and not a cleaner. I simply use OxyClean or dish soap to clean my pots. I use the StarSan to sanitize my plastic FVs, glass carboys, and stainless cornies. I don't leave it in contact with cornies for a long time. Maybe 20 minutes. I've never had a problem with them. Makes me think I should do a little more research into it though!


Baz

 

[pjbiker]

What concentration are you using it at? I make 200ppm 2ml in 10L ? That's very economical if it is effective at that concentration. :thumb: I'd be surprised if thats enough to damage any of your kit.

 

[Aleman]

Star San should be used at 1.6ml per litre . . . which is a 300ppm concentration of the active ingredients . . . can't remember the dosage for saniclean.

Soft metals means Copper, brass, bronze, and probably zinc . . . as they will be dissolved . . .but then they would if you used vinegar or lemon juice. Stainless would have no problem at all.

Neither starsan or it's low foaming brother saniclean are cleansers they are sanitisers only and designed to work on clean surfaces . . . Use powdered brewery wash (PBW) as a cleanser which is a mixture of washing soda and Sodium peroxycarbonate . . .Oh wait that's oxyclean by another name :grin:

Personally I rinse my boiler and mash tun out with hot water, and a non stick pan cleaner.

And remember starsan and saniclean are effect at pH3.0 and below only.

 

[pjbiker]

Personally I rinse my boiler and mash tun out with hot water, and a non stick pan cleaner.

Me too, seems to work OK. I've always avoided detergents as I read that even in small amounts, can affect head retention. Just use thin bleach ~10ml/gallon to sanitise 'the cold side' and rinse like F***.