Cleaning.

[blockley]

Newbie question I'm afraid, so brace yourself!!

Just transferred my third batch from the FV.
The previous two times I've cleaned the FV with Stellarclean PBW which I've been using for the brewing equipment.
Today it dawned on me this might not be necessary (and might be a waster of money).

So, the question is - Can I clean the FV with good old fashioned water and a brush?

 

[AnimatedGIF]

If you're talking about after use, I just use washing up liquid and warm water(I do this in the shower). Then I rinse and air dry.
Prior to use, I do the same, followed by sanitisation.

 

[blockley]

If you're talking about after use, I just use washing up liquid and warm water(I do this in the shower). Then I rinse and air dry.
Prior to use, I do the same, followed by sanitisation.

Perfect, thanks very much.
The was the answer I was hoping to hear!

 

[Davy6Mac]

Be careful with washing up liquid, there are some threads on here about it. The best thing is stick to one cleaning regime that works for you, I clean and sanitise after use and then I clean and sanitise before I brew and use the FV

 

[Wilfy]

I use thin bleach to clean. Cheap as chips.

 

[ChrisInBucks]

I use thin bleach to clean. Cheap as chips.

Have you got a 'recipe' for the Bleach solution?

 

[Fireside Ales Homebrewery]

By all the gods in Ásgardr, don’t use washing up liquid. Not on your fv, not on your long handled spoon and not on your pint glass. Just use water and a soft cloth, clean like a chef. Use it, clean it. This way nothing will get so caked on that a bit of water won’t remove it. Then use a good no rinse san to get yourself ready for the next brew day.

 

[Fireside Ales Homebrewery]

Have you got a 'recipe' for the Bleach solution?

This link has a great recipe for bleach as a no rinse cleaner sanitiser..... https://beerliever.com/bleach-no-rinse-sanitiser-home-brewing-beer/

 

[ChrisInBucks]

This link has a great recipe for bleach as a no rinse cleaner sanitiser..... Bleach: cheapest most effective no rinse sanitiser homebrew

You sir, are a gent and a scholar. Looks simple enough! I have StarSan as a sanitiser and currently a cleaning product that I've since realised (first time brewer) is probably not suitable. What do you use?

 

[foxy]

Newbie question I'm afraid, so brace yourself!!

Just transferred my third batch from the FV.
The previous two times I've cleaned the FV with Stellarclean PBW which I've been using for the brewing equipment.
Today it dawned on me this might not be necessary (and might be a waster of money).

So, the question is - Can I clean the FV with good old fashioned water and a brush?

A good alkaline clean, & rinse followed by a no rinse sanitiser of your choice. Trying to take short cuts and cost cutting can lead to tears and a loss of money.

 

[Fireside Ales Homebrewery]

You sir, are a gent and a scholar. Looks simple enough! I have StarSan as a sanitiser and currently a cleaning product that I've since realised (first time brewer) is probably not suitable. What do you use?

No trouble at all, the link is courtesy of @MyQul to be honest and comes from another thread discussing sanitisation and alternatives to Star San. I have since given the links instruction a go and have found it to be very successful.
Historically though I have just used water to clean and a no rinse san like ChemSan or StarSan.

 

[Wilfy]

Have you got a 'recipe' for the Bleach solution?

All the supermarkets sell it. About 30p for two litres. I don’t use is as no rinse though. Clean with it mixed with hot water and then rinse with clean water until I can’t smell it any more.

 

[RichardM]

All the supermarkets sell it. About 30p for two litres. I don’t use is as no rinse though. Clean with it mixed with hot water and then rinse with clean water until I can’t smell it any more.

What ratio of bleach to water?

 

[NPi]

What ratio of bleach to water?

As per @Fireside Ales Homebrewery link, it's 3.7l of water, to 1 teaspoon of thin bleach and 1 teaspoon of white vinegar.

You can scale this up or down as much as you like. Contact Time is 30 seconds, but you can spray on with a (thoroughly washed) reused spray bottle.

Cheers, Nick

 

[RichardM]

As per @Fireside Ales Homebrewery link, it's 3.7l of water, to 1 teaspoon of thin bleach and 1 teaspoon of white vinegar.

You can scale this up or down as much as you like. Contact Time is 30 seconds, but you can spray on with a (thoroughly washed) reused spray bottle.

Cheers, Nick

My question was to @Wilfy about using bleach for cleaning, not for a no rinse sanitiser. When @Wilfy said

All the supermarkets sell it. About 30p for two litres. I don’t use is as no rinse though. Clean with it mixed with hot water and then rinse with clean water until I can’t smell it any more.

I assumed he would be using a much higher proportion of bleach.

 

[Wilfy]

What ratio of bleach to water?

A big glug normally in about 10 litres of water. I don’t go in for measuring stuff like that. Like I say I rinse until I can’t smell it anymore.

 

[labrewski]

By all the gods in Ásgardr, don’t use washing up liquid. Not on your fv, not on your long handled spoon and not on your pint glass. Just use water and a soft cloth, clean like a chef. Use it, clean it. This way nothing will get so caked on that a bit of water won’t remove it. Then use a good no rinse san to get yourself ready for the next brew day.

What's wrong with it I use it in the shower and rinse all the time no problem so far

 

[samale]

Bleach and water for me. Then a no rinse sanitizer before I use it again

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Why is no rince sanitiser so popular, is it convenience?

 

[AnimatedGIF]

I must have missed something - what's the problem with using washing up liquid?