Sanitisation concerns

[Isambard]

I wonder if someone could give me some sanitisation advice. I finished my second ever brew yesterday, having sanitised everything post boil with starsan, however I noticed a few points where contamination could have occurred and I don't know how likely that is to have happened.

Firstly after liberally dousing everything in starsan it was left out in the air, not always submerged. Could airborne bugs get on my equipment like this, or would residual starsan keep it safe?

Secondly, due to my clumsiness, I accidentally dipped a finger into the cold wort while I was taking its temperature during cooling. It was only a second, and my hands were pretty clean if only from repeatedly grabbing stuff from the bottom of the starsan bucket. There were also other things like touching the FV lid while sealing it. Are little mistakes like these likely to ruin my batch? (Airlock is nice and bubbly this morning so I pressume yeast has taken, although I suppose I could end up with 5 gallons of vinegar.)

Thanks, and if anyone can suggest some best practice to avoid contamination as much as possible that would be awesome.

 

[Sandimas]

You can only do so much to stop infections, if there's airborne bugs / wild yeast around where you're brewing then there is a chance they'll get in. But stop worrying, most of us have brew after brew successfully.

The time of the year doesn't help: was re-reading a brewing book yesterday and it said stop bewing in May and resume again in Oct due to increased risk of infection. I had a bad summer last year with infections, but none in the previous years.

The best thing that's worked for me is to have a kettle of boiled water handy and use that to sanitise things. I always use a kettle full in the FV prior to adding the wort and re-boil it to use on all the kit.

 

[JapanBrew]

Sounds like your doing fine. You're hands are fine. Like you said, touching all that starsan makes them clean.
The biggest thing is making sure the FV is soaking in starsan for at least 10 min. I think the bottle says like 2 min. but just to be safe.
Most of the problems come in the bottling. Got to make sure the bottles are really sterile. Some people bake them, I use a high heat dishwasher then let them soak in sanitizer for awhile while I'm preparing and cooling the bottling sugar.

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi!
It is very easy to become overly obsessive about sanitisation; you cannot work in a sterile environment when brewing, so observe basic cleaning and sanitisation schedules and then stop worrying.
If you have cleaned effectively, sanitising is just a final step to cover the fact that rinsing with mains water could leave little nasties that we don't want in wort.
I have a spray bottle filled with StarSan for last-minute treatment of FV lids etc. Remember that StarSan sanitises any surface after only 30 seconds, so there's no need for lengthy soaking.
Colin

 

[Cwrw666]

You will find a range of `sanitation' procedures used by people on this forum - from some who merely wash everything through to people who apparently attempt to totally sterilize their entire house before proceeding. I can't say I've noticed any difference between them as to who ends up getting infections in their beer.

 

[geetee]

Hi!
It is very easy to become overly obsessive about sanitisation; you cannot work in a sterile environment when brewing, so observe basic cleaning and sanitisation schedules and then stop worrying.
If you have cleaned effectively, sanitising is just a final step to cover the fact that rinsing with mains water could leave little nasties that we don't want in wort.
I have a spray bottle filled with StarSan for last-minute treatment of FV lids etc. Remember that StarSan sanitises any surface after only 30 seconds, so there's no need for lengthy soaking.
Colin

Be aware that the Star San specification sheet does specify 1 -2 minutes contact to ensure sanitisation although most people do use equipment after 30 seconds or so.

 

[Isambard]

Thanks all. I will try not to worry then, and see how the beer turns out.

 

[Spapro]

Thanks all. I will try not to worry then, and see how the beer turns out.

You really should be fine, sounds like you are doing as much or more than most on here with regard to paying attention to cleaning and sanitising.

You cannot avoid touching the equipment while brewing and occasionally dipping a finger etc in the wort does happen.

 

[dweb]

Since I discovered Starsan,I`ve become less obsessive with sanitation and sterilising.I`m sure some day I`ll come a cropper but after around 5 years of brewing(4 just using Milton),I haven`t had a contaminated brew yet.

 

[brumbrew]

I've Only ever chucked one brew on bottling day. Of which I still put some in 2litre drinks bottles.

And one mini keg that I scrapped/repurposed because of a worn rubber insert on the top.

I'll hold my hands up and say my cleaning isn't 100% but all happened during warmer weather.

 

[Bigcol49]

Be aware that the Star San specification sheet does specify 1 -2 minutes contact to ensure sanitisation although most people do use equipment after 30 seconds or so.

Hi!
There is a podcast interview with Charlie Talley, the inventor of Star San, in which he says 30 seconds is enough contact time to kill any nasties. He confirms that the 1 - 2 minutes indicated on the spec sheet is a "government thing"; the Environmental Protection Agency test for new products stipulates a 2 minute contact time.
Colin

 

[JapanBrew]

I believe it. But better safe than not. I just don't have access to Starsan. I use Milton. So far no issues but my routine allows me to sanitize for long periods, ie when mashing starts, FV gets soaked as well as hoses, hop bags, clamps... Everything. That goes on throw till end of boil 3 hours later. For quick stuff, spray bottle of pure ethanol is always around, hands and quick release fittings. One spray and good to go.

 

[Bigcol49]

I believe it. But better safe than not. I just don't have access to Starsan. I use Milton.

Hi!
Does Milton have to be rinsed after application?
Have you tried Charlie Talley's recipe for no-rinse sanitiser? Mix 1 oz (about 30 ml) cheap household bleach into 5 gallons (about 23 litres) water, then add 1 oz white vinegar and mix.
He stresses that you must mix the bleach in the water before adding the vinegar - mixing bleach and vinegar will kill you!
I use 6 ml in 1 gallon to make a batch - 23 litres is far too much! I use a 5 litre plastic bottle marked off at 1 gallon.
For me it works out at 0.33 pence per litre of solution.
Colin

 

[YeastFace]

I'm quite particular with my sanitation regime, however yeast is all around us, as I believe the original lyrics went. It's not specialised to convert the sugars in wort, so as long as you've pitched brewer's yeast shortly after it should outcompete any wild yeast that may have got in.

 

[Fore]

My 1 failure actually came about due to attempts to sanitise (poor rinse). I've never suffered once due to infection. If you are asking this question, it's very unlikely you'll suffer either.

 

[JapanBrew]

No. I probably should but I worry about Japanese vinegar.
As for rinsing, it says you don't have to and I never had.

Yeastface is kind of right. There are tons of yeast everywhere, some are actually great tasting. I'm growing some from a tangerine. But remember, it takes a lot of it to take over the batch. Another reason to make yeast starters or at least re hydrate your yeast. Give it a chance to claim its territory.

 

[Bernie]

Good housekeeping goes a long way. I make sure that fermenters including valves and taps, siphons, etc are thoroughly clean after use with using Chemipro and checking for any residues, and dried before putting them away.
Thoroughly rinse bottles to remove any residue, drip dry and cover with dust caps for storage. A quick rinse with Chemipro before use.