Sterilise or Not to Sterilise!!!

[Anavrin]

Hi guys

I've decided to go against everything I've been taught and not bother sterilising a sugar wash, I'm gonna use a full pack of Alcotec 48 with 6kg sugar, topped up to 25lt with water, everything I'm using is visually clean and the hole batch of water has been pre heated to 30°c in my HLT

It should ferment in a couple of days, I'm thinking it will be fine, does anyone else get away without sterilising?

I wouldn't dare not sterilise if it was a grain wash because of the additional time and cost involved, but for a fast fermenting sugar wash, I recon I'll get away with it

[Mash]

"does anyone else get away without sterilising?"

All the time.
All of my ferments are done in washed out fermenters , whether that is 5 L 25 L or 500 L.

I do use alcohol in a spray bottle as a wipe and I store most empty vessels with a splash of spirit in them.

Fermentation in itself is a sterilising process. Hence why years ago people would drink the beer, but not the water it was made with.

It will be fine.

[fuf]

Hi Anavrin, I did sterilise for the first 2 months when first started out but have not bothered for the past year. I have not had any problems at all. I use a full pack of Vodka Star and 6kg of sugar topped up to 25lt with water and pre heated to 30°c just as you have done.

[Toper]

I'm not sure if what you mean by sterilisation is the same thing that I mean.

In the past, when doing sugar washes, I used a kettle of boiling water to sterilise the fermenting bin and my stirring spoon. That is all I ever did.

Water was heated until sugar totally dissolved, then, added to fermenter.
Tap water was then added to bring wash up to volume.

Then left under lid with airlock until cooled enough.

Over many years I never did anything else, and never had a problem with countless washes.

[Admiral Toad]

still give my fermenters a quick sterilise for what it takes to do and cost

[Anavrin]

I've always religiously fully sterilised all my gear with warm water and 1 teaspoon of VWP per gallon for 20mins, ever since I was 18 and my sister bought me my first home brew kit and bucket for my birthday, that's almost 19 years ago!!!

In the past I've re-used a fermenter straight after it's been emptied without re-sterilising but that's about it, I've decided to do two 25lt batches now, using half a pack of Alcotec 48 in each, and no sterilising

[Mash]

Wash, Sanitise & sterilise are completely different things .... as any environmental health officer will tell you :-)


Is there an EHO in the house ?

[chill]

I usually sanitize the fermentor or carboy after they are emptied and cleared. I sometimes sanitize a fermentor before starting a new wash if it has sat empty and open for a while. That is probably overkill, but it makes me feel good.

Chuck

[Icefever]

For what it's worth.....I Star-san everything....it goes back a long way to when I started AG brewing.

[Almanac]

I had one all grain get infected because of failing to sterilise the FV I racked it into. It turned sea sick green in a matter of hours

Ever since, even for a sugar wash, when I've filled the boiler to get the brew water heated I spray everything that might contact the wash with Chemipro Oxi - same kind of thing as Star San, a no rinse steriliser.

Takes hardly any time, costs almost nothing and the peace of mind is definitely a big bonus. A good robust sanitary routine, in all brewing, may not be absolutely necessary but if you have one it's definitely a routine worth sticking with.

AM

[Capt-Cudellez]

I haven't properly sterilised for years, if you are pushing ABV to double digits not much is going to to get hold for the short ferment times we do in my opinion.

I've forgotten about a couple of litres left in the bottom of a fermenter for over 6 months - it was still fine, that is until about a week after I lifted the lid and let fresh air or nasties in - it went pretty funky after that.

I washed it out, with fairy liquid and hot water - sprayed with high ABV heads and haven't had any negative repercussions.

If running sugar washes I really don't see the need - but I'm sure each brewhouse will have its own local fauna so do what you feel you need to.
My garage gets a black mold on the surfaces that needs wiped down occasionally- but never seems to impact my brews

[RumJohn]

I rinse everything and that's enough. I also encourage airborne yeasts in my wash.

[Easydrinker]

I am another of the lackadaisical users here.
All new to me glassware etc gets a thorough cleaning.
After that,just a rinse,to wash out what I can see.
The same with my plastic fermenters.
All good so far,whatever I chose to put in said receptacle.

Robert.

[Chubbs]

An old post but thought I would share what I use for sterilisation.

A lot of the chaps over on a homebrew forum that I used to frequent use Videne. Not the antiseptic scrub but the solution. A bottle goes a long, long way as the dilution rate is 1 part Videne to 1000 parts water.

As long as my fermenters are clean I just spray everything with the mix and the job is done. Larger vessels get a little poured into it and swilled round a few times before been drained. A quick shake to get rid of surplus droplets and am ready to go.

The made up solution lasts in a spray bottle until the colour starts to fade, and it has lots of colour considering the dilution rate. Mine went out of date a couple of years ago but still use it at a slightly higher dilution rate, just to be on the safe side. Never had a bad fermentation while using it and saves a lot of water and time.

[Capt-Cudellez]

You have to buy that product though. 95% abv heads are a free byproduct of what we do if running a column, spray bottle, and any excess evaporates.