Sterilizing

[Dalgie]

A query on sterlizing. I make up 10 litres at a time (4 tablespoons) and store in a ex spring water container. After a couple of days the fumes will burn the hairs of your nostrils if you poke your nose into the container. (also tastes god-awful too! :(P)

 

I were planning to store mixture in fermenter between brews, and place approx 2" in each bottle as they are emptied and rinsed, leaving them until they are needed. At the present rate of consumpion (evaporation) this means they will be in the bottles for about 2 weeks. longer as I build up stock.

 

Is there any danger of the mixture permeating the fermenter or the Coopers pet bottles and tainting the brew: they are well rinsed with warm water before use. and how many times can I use the mixture? To my way of thinking if the mixture is still clean and the fumes are present no self respecting bacteria can grow. Your thoughts will be appreciated.

[PB2]

What chemical are you using?

[Dalgie]

Hi Paul,

 

I use Coopers sterilizer when retailer has it in stock, otherwise Brewers Sterilizer from International Homebrew Supplies, a West Aussie company.

 

I have never had a problem with either, just looking for a way to make mixture last longer and spend less time sterilizing bottles before bottling.

 

Also I wish to buy spare hydrometer, little bottler and mixing spoon but cannot find the link on the Coopers website.

[PB2]

Sorry, we don't sell the items you mention separately. You will need to get them from a Home Brew Specialist store or Variety Store.

 

 

 

We have ceased production of Coopers Sterilizer - acitve ingredient being Sodium Metabisulphite.

 

I don't advocate the use of Sodium Metabisulphite for Home brewing. I feel that it is not effective and the fumes are dangerous to asthmatics. As Home Brewers we can sanitise but we can not sterilise. I would recommend some form of bleach, whether it be a chlorine or oxygen bleach. If using chlorine bleach make sure all traces of chlorine smell is driven away by rinsing with very hot water.

[kieran]

We have ceased production of Coopers Sterilizer - acitve ingredient being Sodium Metabisulphite.

I don't advocate the use of Sodium Metabisulphite for Home brewing. I feel that it is not effective and the fumes are dangerous to asthmatics.

 

 

 

i can vouch for this.. we did about 3 brews before christmas, and I did most (if not all) of the stanitising with the Sodium metabisulphite, and I am still suffering the effects of the worst bout of asthma that I've had in probably 10 years (no joke). I felt dodgy the first time (few puffs of the ventolin inhaler did the trick - but I didnt know it was from the bisulphite), but the nasty odour made me keep my nose well away 2 weeks later when we set up 2 more brews. However with the subsequent two brews it got worse and worse (I was obviously still getting a fair dosage of the stuff). I'm the kind of asthma sufferer that normally might get a mild case once a year, and only takes a ventolin puffer (no preventative). This was the first time we had used metabisulphite, and I'll never use it again.. nasty stuff indeed. I'm still coughing up shit as I type. :(

[Hashie]

I have never used anything other than hot water to clean and sterilise.

 

 

 

All my bottles/kegs are rinsed imediately with cold water (kegs are taken apart to ensure they are clean). When the time comes to re-fill, the bottles are given a dose of hot water and a hit with a bottle brush, rinsed and filled.

 

 

 

Kegs are given a couple of litres of boiling water, sealed shaken about and emptied, prior to filling with beer.

 

 

 

In 12 years of brewing Cooper's fine products I have never had a 'bad' batch. And have never allowed chemicals to interfere with what is a natural product.

[kieran]

With some of the yeasts I've used, I am normally not overly concerned about the ability of wild bacteria to outdo the growth performances of the yeasts. However, as for bottling or kegging, I'm quite suprised that you've never had a problem in 12 years. Although one can not underestimate the variability in a brewing environment between household to household. "Cleanliness is next to godliness" not only applies to sanitation, but also the general cleanliness of the preparation and brewing area. :)