The cleaning and sanitation process is an integral part of the beer-making process. Thoroughly cleaning before making a batch of beer in a microbrewery helps reduce the risk of your beer getting spoiled.
However, beer making using a microbrewery kit is a sensitive process, and there is a right and wrong way to clean. To ensure that the beer you have worked hard for remains excellent and free from contamination, here are certain things you need to know to clean effectively.
Always Clean Your Microbrewery Kit
Before using your various brewing supplies in your new batch, make sure you clean out any existing visible dirt. Focus on the pieces of dirt stuck in the wort or the fermentation tank as it only takes one piece of dirt to spoil your batch. Carefully clean your wort before use using clean water and a smooth cleaning cloth.
Use A Good Cleaning Agent To Clean Your Microbrewery Kit
Using plain water and a soft brush to clean isn’t enough. For this reason, invest in a cleaning agent to properly clean your equipment and remove invisible dirt. Fortunately, there are powdered brewing washes available that simplify the process and are widely available.
Usually, powdered brewing washes are highly effective and cheap, allowing you to clean thoroughly without leaving a soapy taste.
Avoid Using Bleach When Cleaning Your Microbrewery Kit
If you are using stainless steel beer equipment kits, using bleach is not recommended. Bleach can cause corrosion and turn anything it comes into contact with slightly acidic. When using plastic, you can use bleach agents, but make sure to thoroughly rinse it out. It’s best to avoid using bleach altogether to reduce the risk of spoiling a beer batch.
Consider Using Chemical Cleaning To Clean Your Microbrewery Kit
In your quest to make great beer, you may encounter hard-to-reach places that you cannot physically scrub. Instead of doing nothing and hoping for the best, invest in quality microbrewery equipment chemical cleaning agents. Though slightly alkaline, these agents do not cause corrosion in stainless steel or irreversible environmental damage. Soak your equipment, including hoses, airlocks, and racking canes, for 20 minutes to ensure everything is clean and ready for use.
Sanitize Your Microbrewery Kit
Finally, sanitize your beer brewing kit to ensure that all items that come into contact with the wort are free from contaminants. Invest in a flavorless, odorless, and rinse-free sanitizing agent to avoid having to rinse again. As the sanitizing foam reaches every crevice, leaving it sparkling clean, make sure to clean everything, including the fermentor (carboy), airlock, stopper, thermometer, funnel, yeast packaging, scissors, and bottles.
