Cleaning may not sound very exciting, but it is actually one of the most important elements in the brewing process. Cleaning brewing equipment and thoroughly washing beer bottles are crucial for a good end result. For a new brewer, it can be difficult to know what cleaning equipment is necessary.
Good cleaning makes good beer
To avoid off-flavors and sour beer, good cleaning is the most important part of brewing. Everything that comes into contact with wort after boiling must be clean, and especially sanitized. Without going deep into microbiology, here we will go through some cleaning products along with some tips and tricks.
Cleaning brewing equipment
Anything dirty should naturally be rinsed thoroughly before a proper wash. Preferably as soon as possible after use. This is called pre-cleaning, and it includes: fermenters, brewing machines and kettles, kegs, reusable bottles, and all other equipment that will be used again. If equipment is left unwashed for too long, it will dry out and become difficult to clean later. It will also be a breeding ground for unpleasant bacteria, mold, and wild yeast.
During a brew day, there's a lot of waiting time. Use this time to wash equipment as you go, and there will be less work at the end of the day!
Alkaline detergents
The world's most widespread detergent for cleaning everything from brewing kettles, fermentation tanks, and bottles is PBW (Powdered Brewery Wash). It is a powerful alkaline, non-caustic cleaner that dissolves organic material. It can be safely used on most materials, including soft metals such as copper, aluminum, and brass. For the best possible effect, it should be mixed with water at around 60 degrees Celsius. Scrub well, or let it soak for a while if something is heavily soiled. After use, it should be rinsed thoroughly with water at the same temperature.
There are also other variants, such as Chemipro Wash. This is essentially very similar to PBW and can be used as a direct replacement. Detergents designed for brewing equipment have a higher content of the correct active ingredients and are decidedly more effective at breaking down residues from the brewing process than regular dishwasher powder. Often, dishwasher powder will also contain rinse aid and similar additives that are not beneficial.
Chemipro Oxi is a product that in many ways resembles PBW, but is composed in a slightly different way. Oxi uses active oxygen for cleaning and can also be used as a sanitizing agent. There is also no need to rinse out Chemipro Oxi after use, as it is not as strong as PBW. For light cleaning, this can be a good alternative, for example, for cleaning kegs that are not heavily soiled.
Alcohol-based cleaners
Alcohol-based sanitizers, such as Sirafan Speed, are mainly used for items that cannot tolerate acid-based sanitizers. Brass, for example in parts of the uKeg, will corrode upon contact with acid. It is also widely used in the food industry for sanitizing benches and surfaces.
Sanitizing brewing equipment
Even though cleaning removes dirt and microorganisms, it is still necessary to sanitize everything that comes into contact with wort or beer on the cold side. The most commonly used for this are acid-based sanitizers such as Star San.
Star San from Five Star Chemicals is a no-rinse sanitizer / disinfectant that lowers the pH value of the surfaces it comes into contact with. This makes microorganisms unable to thrive. Star San also contains an additive that creates a lot of foam, which helps it reach into all nooks and crannies where undesirable elements can settle. Chemipro San works in the same way and is a disinfectant with a similar function. A good alternative from another manufacturer.
Saniclean is a similar product from the same manufacturer as Star San, but without the ability to foam. Therefore, a contact time of at least 2 minutes is recommended, as opposed to 30 seconds with Star San. Since it does not foam, Saniclean can be recommended for soaking or CIP (Clean In Place), for example.
It's a good idea to have a spray bottle with pre-mixed Star San or similar ready for quick use.
Clean In Place (CIP)
CIP is a term you've probably heard. It simply means "Clean In Place": that you clean a permanently installed brewing machine or fermenter where it stands. Mostly, this is most relevant for larger brewing equipment, mainly made of steel. The principle is to attach a CIP ball or similar (rotating ball) in the tank to be cleaned, and pump water and detergent through it. Heat, detergent, and water pressure do all the work for you. You can then use your time on other things besides cleaning.
Detergent for hoses and dispensing lines
For cleaning hoses and dispensing lines, we recommend Pipeline. This is a chlorine-based cleaning agent specifically designed for cleaning hoses. Perfect for dispensing lines, serving hoses, Lindr coolers, kegerator, Duofiller, BeerGun, and much more.
Pipeline also has a unique property, in that it changes color during use. In short: It should be pumped through your hose system and left for a few minutes. After this time, what comes out will have changed color from purple to grey-green. This means it has done its job. This process should be repeated until there is a constant purple color, which indicates that it is clean and ready for use again. This cleaning agent can truly work wonders if your tap gives the beer an unpleasant taste.
Protective equipment: Your safety
When we talk about chemicals, we can't avoid protective equipment. Strong acids and bases are not something you want on your skin or in your eyes. Therefore, we strongly recommend a small investment in good gloves and eye protection. Please read the safety instructions on the packaging of all chemicals carefully.
Also keep in mind that certain surfaces are not a good combination with certain detergents. A typical example of this is pure, undiluted Star San. It can leave its mark when it leaks onto the kitchen counter!
Plastic equipment
Fermenters and other plastic equipment may, over time or with frequent use, develop scratches and scrapes. These can be so small that you don't even see them, but bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms can actually settle here, where your detergent cannot reach. Therefore, it may be wise to replace these periodically, depending on how often they are used, how they are used, cleaning, and storage.
For example, if you find mold in plastic brewing equipment, it is recommended to replace it before the next brew day. Plastic will also become discolored, and with frequent use of hot water and detergents, it will become weakened and brittle. Fermenters made of stainless steel and similar materials can withstand significantly more and are easy to clean. With good cleaning and maintenance, steel will last so long that it can practically be inherited.
Smart solutions for bottles and kegs
In addition to the self-explanatory items like wash buckets and bottle brushes, dish brushes and cloths, there are quite a few aids that can streamline your cleaning routine. They may not be crucial to the process, but several of these products will definitely make things easier and faster for you:
- Bottle rinser: A good aid for sanitizing bottles internally without having to soak them in sanitizer.
- Bottle dryer: After washing or sanitizing bottles, this is a good way to dry them afterwards.
- Jet bottle washer: Connects directly to the faucet and provides good rinsing of the bottles internally.
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Keg Washer: The original Keg Washer allows you to wash kegs internally without having to spend time scrubbing and soaking. Can also be used for light fermenters and PET carboys. An indispensable tool for anyone with Cornelius kegs!
- Fastwasher Rack: A slightly simpler version of the Keg Washer that is placed in a tub or sink to clean kegs and fermenters.
- Fastwasher: Comes in two variants for cleaning 12 or 24 beer bottles at a time. Must use a tub, sink, or FastRack as a container for wash water.
- FastRack: System for drying and/or storing clean bottles. Comes in two variants for 12 or 24 bottles, and can be expanded as you wish with frames and trays.
