1st timer sanitizing question - need answer ASAP please

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Hop-Droppen-Roll, Sep 19, 2015.

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  1. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    I am about to brew for the first time, within the next couple hours, in fact. I was going through the contents of my kit, and realized there was no sanitizer. I have gone through the kit before, but it seems I incorrectly thought there was oxygen wash for pre-san washing, and a separate sanitizer for the hardcore sanitizing - but all there is is oxygen wash. Can I use this for sanitizing? Can I use regular dish detergent? Was I supposed to buy my own bottle of professional food-grade sanitizing chemical?

    Thanks
     
    #1 Hop-Droppen-Roll, Sep 19, 2015
  2. minderbender

    minderbender Initiate (0) Jan 18, 2009 New York

    Is this a kit that is sold on the internet, so we can look at it?
     
    #2 minderbender, Sep 19, 2015
  3. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    #3 Hop-Droppen-Roll, Sep 19, 2015
  4. Britt

    Britt Pooh-Bah (1,998) Apr 17, 2009 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I don't recommend using dish detergent, as it can leave a soapy residue it you don't give it a really REALLY thorough rinse. If you have a homebrew store close by, I suggest popping over and picking up some StarSan or Iodophor to use as a sanitizer. If you're up a creek, you can always dilute some bleach. There are some helpful options and suggested ratios in this section of John Palmer's "How to Brew" http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/chapter2-2-3.html

    Hope this helps!
     
    #4 Britt, Sep 19, 2015
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  5. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    Thanks. I live in a town with a population of 1,300 and sadly we don't have a homebrew store (LOL) BUT there is a restaurant supply store about 45 minutes away from me... not sure if they're open today...
     
    #5 Hop-Droppen-Roll, Sep 19, 2015
  6. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    It seems my options include 1) bleach, or 2) waiting until next week. I'd happy use bleach but according to Palmer, you must soak your items in the bleach solution for 20 minutes - how would I let the 5 gallon bucket soak for that long? I don't think I'm willing to go buy 5 more gallons of water just so I can sanitize my bucket. So my question for you is, do you think wiping and scrubbing the bucket with the bleach solution, and waiting 20 minutes to rinse it, would that be acceptable?
     
    #6 Hop-Droppen-Roll, Sep 19, 2015
  7. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    Wait. I'm being silly. I can use bleach with water from the faucet. It doesn't have to be the drinking water that I'm using for the actual beer...

    Thanks!
     
    #7 Hop-Droppen-Roll, Sep 19, 2015
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  8. minderbender

    minderbender Initiate (0) Jan 18, 2009 New York

    I hate to be a downer, but I recommend waiting to brew until you have obtained some StarSan or Iodophor. I personally would not use bleach, because it could contribute bad flavors and must be rinsed (at which point you are re-introducing the possibility of microbes).

    I find it pretty bizarre that Midwest sold that kit promising that it contains "everything you need to dive into homebrewing." No homebrewer would brew a batch of beer without sanitizer.
     
    #8 minderbender, Sep 19, 2015
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  9. Britt

    Britt Pooh-Bah (1,998) Apr 17, 2009 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    It is strange that they didn't include a santizer with your kit. I am inclined to agree with @minderbender that it's worth waiting until you can pick up StarSan or Iodophor. It will come in handy down the road. Plus, properly sanitizer gear makes it much easier to RDWHAH in my opinion. If you're buying sanitizer, I would also pick up a hydrometer, as that doesn't seem to be included in the kit. A hydrometer will help you know when you're beer has finished fermenting.
     
    #9 Britt, Sep 19, 2015
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  10. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    I know you are anxious to brew, but it would be better if you got some starsan and brewed later. Patience is a virtue in homebrewing and this is your first test of patience.
     
    #10 Brew_Betty, Sep 19, 2015
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  11. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    Roger that. I will pick some up in the restaurant supply store in the town where I work sometime this week. Bummer, but whaddya gonna do. Thanks guys.
     
    #11 Hop-Droppen-Roll, Sep 19, 2015
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  12. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    Man... how did they do it before sanitizer?
     
    #12 Hop-Droppen-Roll, Sep 19, 2015
  13. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Peter, a weak bleach solution with tap water will work just fine for sanitizing. Just thoroughly rinse it out with hot tap water.

    I have been homebrewing for over 20 years (before lots of these 'fancy' sanitizers were available) and I have always used bleach and water for santitizing and I have never experienced an infected batch. I homebrewed a batch yesterday (batch no. 357) and yup, I used bleach and tap water to sanitize my bucket.

    At the end of the day it is your personal choice on which sanitizer you prefer to use but don't listen to folks who post you need something like StarSan or Iodophor to sanitize. Bleach and water works just fine as a sanitizer.

    Good luck with your first batch! Homebrewing is a great hobby but it can be an addictive hobby (as I learned over 20+ years/350+ batches).

    Cheers!
     
    #13 JackHorzempa, Sep 19, 2015
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  14. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Pretty easy: bleach and water and it works.

    Cheers!
     
    #14 JackHorzempa, Sep 19, 2015
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  15. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    Thanks! It also looks as though my dad has located someone with a bottle of StarSan we can borrow. We'll see. I'll probably try the bleach if that doesn't pan out - then I do believe I owe you a bottle! :wink:
     
    #15 Hop-Droppen-Roll, Sep 19, 2015
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  16. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Sweet!!:slight_smile:

    Cheers!
     
    #16 JackHorzempa, Sep 19, 2015
  17. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    No one in this thread said you *need* starsan or iodophor to sanitize.

    If you can't wait, go right ahead and use bleach. It sanitizes. It just happens to be the least convenient sanitizer and it's more appropriate for making your socks white than it is for making beer.
     
    #17 Brew_Betty, Sep 19, 2015
  18. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    UPDATE: a friend gave some starsan to my dad, who is on his way to help me.

    Double checking: I can hold off on sanitizing the bottling equipment until later, correct? I don't see why not... so basically I just need to sanitize my fermenting bucket, my big spoon, and the airlock, correct? And maybe the packet of yeast?
     
    #18 Hop-Droppen-Roll, Sep 19, 2015
  19. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    Sanitize your bottling stuff on bottling day.

    Everything that touches sub 150F wort on brew day gets sanitized.
     
    #19 Brew_Betty, Sep 19, 2015
  20. Hop-Droppen-Roll

    Hop-Droppen-Roll Initiate (0) Nov 5, 2013 Minnesota

    Tips on sanitizing the airlock? I have one of the S shaped ones - how the heck do I get the starsan in there and how the heck do I rinse it thoroughly?
     
    #20 Hop-Droppen-Roll, Sep 19, 2015
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