Cleaning...

[Zambi]

I need some "out of the box" ideas.
I'm running low on star san (acidisan, but it's more or less the same)
What can I use after I run out?
Running to specialised shops or buying online is not an option.

I can get:
Teepol (unscented dish washer)
Bleach
Milton's (hypochlorite/chloride)
Vinegar
Citric acid
Hydrogen peroxide (possibly)
Vodka/Cane spirit
Oven cleaner
Standard household cleaners
Iodine maybe

I need to clean/sanitise an HDPE fermenter, a cheap fermenting bucket marked pp05 & a stainless steel one plus an auto-syphon & beer bottles

According to Palmer I can make Chlorine dioxide by mixing milton & acid, but he warns that it is highly corrosive so maybe not so good for my stainless steel

As an aside: my water contains no chlorine

Any good other options/solutions?

 

[Minbari]

If you don't have stainless, then clorine works. Just have to rinse really well.

Iodine works too, will stain plastic

 

[Zambi]

I forgot to add that 2 of my fermenters had diastaticus brews in them, so they need some extra care

@Minbari , I've got one stainless fermenter.
I'll have to have a look see if I can get iodine. Is all Iodine created equal? As I can probably get the wound disinfection stuff

 

[Minbari]

I forgot to add that 2 of my fermenters had diastaticus brews in them, so they need some extra care

@Minbari , I've got one stainless fermenter.
I'll have to have a look see if I can get iodine. Is all Iodine created equal? As I can probably get the wound disinfection stuff

You will prolly have to look at the concentration, but it should work.

 

[Sunfire96]

How long do you use your acidsan before tossing? If it's like starsan, then unless it gets physically dirty or the pH drops too much, you can use it forever

 

[Zambi]

I keep the solution.
But will obviously loose some when rinsing bottles and draining & spraying them.
I've been told to toss it when it gets cloudy, but I've yet to see that happening.

My original bottle leaked. I've decanted and have less than 100 ml left (at 10 ml per litre for dosage)

 

[Minbari]

I keep the solution.
But will obviously loose some when rinsing bottles and draining & spraying them.
I've been told to toss it when it gets cloudy, but I've yet to see that happening.

My original bottle leaked. I've decanted and have less than 100 ml left (at 10 ml per litre for dosage)

Nah, i only toss it if it gets dirty, it literally lasts for a year if you keep it in an air tight pail.
My water is high in calcium and carbonate so the acid precipitates the minerals out instantly making it cloudy

 

[Dornbox]

I forgot to add that 2 of my fermenters had diastaticus brews in them, so they need some extra care

boiling water is king if you want to kill bugs

 

[Ward Chillington]

Look into the iodine option...I think the trade off is time...it's not an "on contact" cleaner and it will stain but I think that's a good option to what you have and is a known quantity. Good luck Z

 

[GFHomebrew]

I've used Chlorine and vinegar ad a suped up cleaner 2:1 vinegar to chlorine when I was using plastic.

I'd just use dishsoap even (unsented) on the stainless and boiling water to rinse after a cold rinse.

Good luck sounds like a tricky one.

 

[Zambi]

I still got some time to figure it all out...
I had enough starsan for the current batch.
Next shopping trip will be interesting.
I have to go to the capital where there is more choice, as I have to pick up new glasses end of the month

 

[GFHomebrew]

I still got some time to figure it all out...
I had enough starsan for the current batch.
Next shopping trip will be interesting.
I have to go to the capital where there is more choice, as I have to pick up new glasses end of the month

I rekon Milton's has gotta be an option as well...

 

[The Brew Mentor]

Depending on how the equipment can handle it, my first choice would be boiling water. Most #2 plastic can handle that temperature.
PET will melt at about 140°, so you can't use it on that plastic.
If using bleach, which is a great sanitizer, I'd rinse thoroughly with previously boiled water. Bleach tends to leave residue that is difficult to remove with just a rinse, so thorough is emphasized.
Citric acid is cheap and effective. I'd extend the contact time, but other than that, I'd be comfortable with it.
Good luck

 

[Ward Chillington]

Bleach tends to leave residue that is difficult to remove with just a rinse, so thorough is emphasized.

Yeah REAL thoroughly

 

[Zambi]

Thanks all
Good ideas

I picked up an old brewing book (1989, the year the wall fell) and figured they would have something useful about cleaning with products you can get anywhere.
But not a word about sanitising, hygiene and cleaning

 

[Ward Chillington]

But not a word about sanitising, hygiene and cleaning

That explains a lot.....! Really, for your glass and metals...I think @Dornbox and @The Brew Mentor but the nail on the head....you got plenty of water there...how's the ability to boil it and get your hardware in it or it in your hardware?
Maybe the plastic bucket can get the iodine and wear the scar proudly with your diy spirit and creativity?

 

[Zambi]

Not much metal (yet), just my milkcan fermenter.
I think quick clean after use, then chlorite/vinegar and fingers crossed and hope for the best
Till of course, I get someone to bring me starsan or likewise from Europe or South Africa.
This might not be a bad time for organising with lot of people's christmas & family visits around the corner
(I'll be working)

 

[Dornbox]

@Zambezi Special whats your mailing address? Lol now I’m interested to see what it would cost to send you some starsans! Lol

 

[Donoroto]

@Zambezi Special whats your mailing address? Lol now I’m interested to see what it would cost to send you some starsans! Lol

Ha! This made me laugh.

OK, look at these coordinates, which is her 'neighborhood'.
16.15794° S, 28.83963° E

Think the mailman visits, ever?

 

[TetersMillBrewing]

OK, look at these coordinates, which is her 'neighborhood'.
16.15794° S, 28.83963° E

Think the mailman visits, ever?

Using Google Earth I am sure some of the surrounding areas could get a delivery in a reasonable time. Probably faster than waiting on a trip to Europe or South Africa. Where did the Lat / Long coordinates originate from? Took a quick look and shipping would be much more than $40 USD give or take. Might take a week or two, but not an impossible task with a valid address.