Sanitation

Most flaws in home made beer or wine can be traced back to improper sanitation. There are a wide range of bacteria and wild yeast that can cause off-flavors in fermentations. It is a big disappointment to discover that your work, time, and money have been wasted producing a bad batch just because you did not spend the few extra minutes and cents that it takes to sanitize properly. Proper sanitation will reduce the micro-organism exposure of your beer or wine to a point where it will not be spoiled.

Sanitation vs. Cleaning

A surface cannot be sanitized until it is clean. If something does not look or smell clean, it probably is not clean. Cleaning chemicals are very powerful, often alkaline, chemicals which effectively remove organic deposits. These cleaners need to be thoroughly rinsed after use (unless noted otherwise). Examples of these chemicals include B-Brite and Powdered Brewery Wash (PBW).

Contact Time

All sanitizing solutions (One Step, Star San, etc.) need to be fully immersed with a surface for a certain amount of time to effectively reduce the number of microorganisms on that surface. Times vary so read the instructions on the sanitizer's packaging before use.

Rinsing

All unboiled water is a potential source of contamination in fermentations. Rinsing can cause infection so it is important to use cleaning chemicals designated “No Rinse” or “Final Rinse” - examples include Star San and One Step. These are very effective against bacteria, but harmless to beer, wine and people when used as directed.

What needs to be sanitized?

Everything that comes into contact with wort, beer, must or wine should be sanitized. This includes fermenters, tubing, spoons, rubber stoppers, fermentation locks and bottles.
There is one exception to this rule: it is not necessary to sanitize prior to boiling beer wort. Part of the purpose of boiling is to ensure the sanitation of the wort. Kettles, spoons, etc. will not need a separate sanitation step.

Using One Step

All of Northern Brewer's starter kits come with One-Step sanitizer. We choose to include One Step with our starter kits because it is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and also because it can be used as both a cleaner and a sanitizer. It does not require rinsing.

• Find a clean container large enough to hold all the items you are going to be sanitizing. Larger items, like fermenters and carboys, can have the sanitizing solution prepared inside them.
• Mix a solution of One Step by mixing one tablespoon of powder per gallon of warm water. Stir to dissolve the powder.
• Ensure that all surfaces get at least two minutes of contact time. Remove the items from the sanitizing solution as you need them. If any items or your hands touch an unsanitary surface, they should be re-sanitized.
• One-Step solution will lose its ability to sanitize as it ages. Always make a fresh solution of One-Step every time you sanitize.

Sanitation.pdf: Sanitation PDF