Separate bucket for sanitizer?

I was saying in MY brewing routine, the only time I don't secondary is if I am too lazy. I wasn't talking about you in the slightest. We just have differing views. Neither of us is right. I like to secondary for various reasons, while you don't. No big deal.

As for dry hopping, haven't tried it with yeast in primary for a long time. Not sure I'll ever go back to hops in the same primary vessel unless I get a conical fermenter. I've found that a 10-14 day dry hop before kegging with 2-3 oz/carboy plus a randall connected to the keg is the best way to get a big fresh hop punch (hops hung in the keg achieve a similar goal). Just my way, you do what you do.

 

Yes, that's what I'd do.

 

I realize that. I figured the "I accept!" comment was sufficient to let you know that I was joshing about reading an accusation between the lines. Should have added one of these guys:

It sounds like you understand your process sufficiently and are convinced that secondary is right for you. Let's agree to keep on brewing.

 

I never really thought anyone sprayed down their equipment. Always make 5+ gallons sanitizer in a big big bucket and soak everything.

 

Spraying is just a different option. At first I was skeptical that it wouldnt be good enough, but havent had a problem with infections since using sanitizer in a spray bottle. It seems to be a little easier and the starsan lasts a long time this way (I brew twice a month and the bottle has lasted over 2 years). I do submerge/soak euipment that is hard to simply spray (inside of hoses, plate chiller, etc). The starsan will also stay good kept in a bucket with air tight lid for about a month from my experience. Spraying is a good option, IMO

 

I've tried to see how lax I could be with sanitation when doing a few 1 gallon batches and with just spraying starsan and quick soaks (ie: dipping for a few seconds) of hoses, and no sanitization of bottles (just a hot water rinse) I've yet to have any issues. I wonder how overkill we go on sanitization, really. That being said, when brewing a triple IPA or a big stout with over $100 in ingredients you bet your ass I don't slack there, lol.

You mentioned starsan keeping for 'about a month' - for what its worth I have had starsan in a covered bucket for over a year without any problems! That stuff is robust.

 

I spray down my 14.5 gallon conical, rather than fill it with star san, which is more than I think I want to make at one time.

How do you think commercial breweries clean and sanitize a large fermenter? They use an aggressive caustic solution that get pumped through a spray ball so that the interior is fully covered with spray.

 

I think I may have been misleading in my wording. What I meant to say is "I always make 5+ gallons sanitizer in a big big bucket and soak everything.", not that everyone should. I have no doubt that others' methods work just fine.
Cheers!

 

We all brew on different systems and use different techniques, so no problem.

 

If it CAN be sprayed...IT gets sprayed, but for things like kegs, 5 gals of Starsan is split between 2 kegs and forced through lines and fittings. The Starsan also gets used again after the kegs are emptied and the fermenter buckets have been rinsed and gently sponged off.

My Starsan is stored in a dedicated 5 gal Better Bottle when not in use...I just have to remember to add the Starsan immediately after filling with RO water from the store. I wish my well water allowed me to use it with Starsan, but it doesn't : (