How to Sterilise Homebrew Equipment - Bucket, Syphon, Bottles

[@theemperorofboxingtruth3745]

Great vid! The subtle Bristolian accent just adds that extra layer of reassurance! These lads know their brewing!!

[@Brewbitz]

:)

[@АндрейПопов-ч2о]

Thank you, mate! I am going to make my first cider. Greetings from Estonia!

[@Brewbitz]

Cheers frome England.

[@samjw1999]

Thanks for the straightforward guide. I’ve got 50 beer bottles coming today and wanted to know the best way to sanitise them, so this is really useful.

[@Brewbitz]

Glad I could help!

[@clarkewi]

Why is that the best instructional vids come from England? Great entertainers.

[@seancurry7100]

This is the only sanitization guide that explains how to clean those 5 gallon jugs. Thank you!

[@Brewbitz]

Glad it was helpful!

[@graemecrowther.7557]

The most simple to the point explanation I have seen, well done thank you.

[@Brewbitz]

Thank you

[@laraghcon]

Really good, informative, and easy to follow video. Thanks for sharing.

[@Brewbitz]

Thanks.

[@paularnold4440]

Great tips. Thanks very much

[@keshatton2334]

i assume rather than do all your bottles just before you need to use them, if you sterilise them as soon as you have consumed the product using the above method and seal them either with screw caps or the flip on Grolsh type they will be ready for use. Obviously if the wine or beer was OK to drink the bottle was sterile? so clean and sterilise it straight away and store it ready for use. Great video as always. There was nothing on TV last night so i showed the missus your videos and she is HOOKED

[@Brewbitz]

Hi. Interesting thoughts. Ill speak to one of the biologists i know re this. I think I know what he’s going to say though. Bacteria when they know they are going to die release spores. These are really hard to destroy. And as soon as you open that bottle, those spores will hatch and become bacteria. So probably best to sterilise just before use. But ill let you know what they say.

[@madzr3093]

Hey brewbitz, I heard once you have rinsed the brew bucket with sodium metabisulphite we shouldn’t use tap water to rinse again. Just let it dry for an hour and start using the bucket apparently. What do you think?

[@harperhellems3648]

I've been making fruit wine for 15 years and I don't know. I can't help myself, I rinse with water afterwards. I know they say you don't have to do that, but it just doesn't feel right. I use LD Carlson One Step No Rinse Cleanser. A batch of wine has never gone weird by my rinsing cold water after using this product. I've used bleach in the proper proportions too, but you have to absolutely make sure you really rinse it out. I'm sure the producer's directions are fine. You'll be cool sippin' either way. Hahaha. I left this note before I watched this. I use Campden tablets and that powder. Definitely rinse that stuff out!

[@DaviMqrs]

Thank you for show me how mate! Quick and easy.

[@Brewbitz]

Happy to help

[@HitchHikersBlues]

You could also use Milton or a weak bleach solution.

[@Brewbitz]

Milton is not a good idea. It can react with compounds and create a soapy taste. Bleach sticks to surfaces, so can remain even after rinsing. It is best to use a cleaner / steriliser designed for brewing - www.brewbitz.com/collections/sterilisers-cleaners

[@arunasbytautas6431]

Simple, easy and genius!!! Thanks a lot!!!

[@John-dl6re]

Hello. I have a question for you. Why go to the trouble of sterilising only to add tap water to rinse off? Tap water can have as many as nine different bacteria in it. Wouldn't it be better to boil the tap water first? Cheers John.

[@johnfreeborn979]

I'm with you on the no rinse. What he's not telling you though is if you have some dregs of sodium metabisulphite left over it can scavenge a little bit of oxygen in the filling of the vessel on transfer that helps to minimise oxidation.

[@winnguyen443]

Star San!

[@Brewbitz]

You MUST to leave Star San to dry!

[@winnguyen443]

Nope, never.

[@Brewbitz]

Then you need to read the instructions on how to use it again!

[@Calendyr]

I realise this is an old video but there are 2 things I want to correct in what you said: 1) Potassium Metabisulfite is preferable to Sodium Metabisulfite, I cannot remember the reason why. 2) There is no need to rinse the bucker or anything else off once cleaned with the solution, just get rid of the excess and use.

[@Brewbitz]

Potassium is preferable if you were on a low sodium diet - it all adds up especially if you are using campden tablets too. And yes, with further future knowledge, it can be used after the majority has drained away, however the way it works, it doesn’t actually kill yeast or bacteria, but the rinsing process helps remove the ones that have been subdued by the process.

[@RickyGibson]

That's a lot easier than I thought it would be. Thanks

[@garybloxsom7538]

this is the video i was looking for so simple so easy,cheers

[@johnhalpin5158]

Just the video I was looking for! Thank you sir! I'm starting off and needed some answers before I began the first batch. I've heard that sterilization is the most important thing. I'm going to start this weekend!

[@anandpanchbhavi]

When you are rinsing with cold tap water to get rid of the sterilising liquid, will there not be a risk contamination from the water again?

[@Brewbitz]

Not here in the UK.

[@picdriver]

Good & quirky vid....I personally like to use a no rinse sanitiser..ie Starsan. Cut's out all that rinsing. And if you take Hydrometer readings from the bucket itself, you can pour some of that Starsan into the hydrometer housing and it's constantly sterilised & good to go for every reading. I also use one of those bottle washers then drain on a bottling tree. Before that, I'll wash each bottle with bottle brush/washing up liquid after pouring beer out...then after drying on the bottling tree, I'll pop on a prewashed used crown cap for storage..ready for next sanitizing/filling :)

[@darrendwyer9981]

Hi. After you use the Sodium Met the fermenter is steralised. If you then rinse it out with tap water, are you not re infecting the fermenter. Thank you

[@Brewbitz]

No

[@王川-p3o]

Great teaching video. Now I know what causes the off flavors in my wheat beer. It's like vinegar. Actually it is half vinegar half beer. I better try your way next brew.

[@saeedaleali5925]

thanks,one of the best videos about sanitize,just i want to know if i sanitize and close in bucket,can i use it later without sanitize again?for example several weeks later

[@Brewbitz]

Good question. I personally would sanitise again, just before I use it.

[@adriancritchley2485]

So what you're saying is if I don't sterilise then I'll have a load of lovely vinegar to sprinkle on my chips?

[@Brewbitz]

no and possibly. sterilising helps to prevent any unwanted yeasts & bacteria from affecting your brew. Sometimes you want bacteria, but not in this case.

[@TheAmateursOriginalMusic]

Damn! I didnt rinse it after! Will it effect the beer??😮

[@Brewbitz]

The tiny amount left will not adversely affect your brew. Some people don’t rinse, but i prefer to.

[@TheAmateursOriginalMusic]

@@Brewbitz been fermenting for a couple days so i lifted the lid slightly to have a look! Strong fumes! Is this normal?🤷‍♂️

[@Brewbitz]

Well you will have a hell of a hit of CO2! What are you brewing? And what are you smelling?

[@TheAmateursOriginalMusic]

@@Brewbitz Lager! Kind of meths fumes!🫣🤣🍺💥

[@Brewbitz]

@TheAmateursOriginalMusic Just give it time. Fermenting can make many aromas, these are usually from compounds formed when the yeast made them by eating other compounds. The yeast will in turn eat these new compounds and convert them into something new. So i expect this specific smell will go if you give it time.

[@markgrumdy5126]

where do u get that spin vanator please cant seam to find any

[@Brewbitz]

Hi. You can get them from our website. Here is the link - www.brewbitz.com/collections/cleaning-equipment/products/spin-vinator-bottle-steriliser-and-rinser-for-beer-wine-bottles Cheers

[@markgrumdy5126]

@@Brewbitz thank you i have placed my order

[@Brewbitz]

Thanks. We’ll get that dispatched tomorrow.

[@LisaLashaLeigh]

Wow thank you so much for the video. I've just bought my first starter kit and I'm scared to death to make it lol I wasn't sure how to sterilize the bottles, but now I do, and the other things as well :) In my starter kit I have a pack of cleaner steriliser which is 110 gm and it says to add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per gallon. It also advises that soiled equipment be sterilised for 12-24 hours...is that actually needed? I really appreciate you video, and I'm so glad I found you! :) Thanks

[@Brewbitz]

Soiled means after you gave done your brew and forgot to clean it out 🧐

[@stuartsvino2337]

May i ask,metabisulphate is the same as campden tablets,but when you use campden tablets you add to your wort so there is no rinsing involved so why do you need to rinse the powder form of metebisulphate .

[@Brewbitz]

Campden tabs are a prescribed amount and is mainly used to prevent oxidisation and to subdue natural yeasts. A higher concentration is used for sterilising, so best to rinse.

[@stuartsvino2337]

@@Brewbitz Thanks for the info,i was just curious.

[@gillianbarrett5917]

Hi just wondering if you can use Camden tablets instead of the powder and if so, what amount? Thanks!

[@Brewbitz]

Campden tabs are a prescribed amount of sodium metsbisulphate. So you just need to use 5 crushed campden tabs to 1 pint of water.

[@wetherhills]

cheers for the video, just love the accent, its comforting when homebrewing haha

[@jfjx_dsa]

I was about to comment the same thing! You know you're getting good homebrew advice if the person giving it to you is from the West Country - they know a good brew :)

[@deedrabbit]

That's his brewing accent. I have an accent when brewing also.

[@saeedaleali5925]

hi,in the clip you said when we used metabisulfite sodium we can keep that and use it over and over,i want to know how many days we can keep that after first use???

[@Brewbitz]

Pop it in a sealed container, clearly labeled with the contents and the date you made it. It should be ok for 30 days.

[@robertmasiello9530]

Great demo and accurate

[@ron0126]

What's the difference between sodium metabisulfite and potassium metabisulfite?

[@Brewbitz]

Hi! Not much really other than the obvious, one contains sodium and one potassium. A campden tablet is simply potassium metabisulphite. So you could use either to clean your equipment. Hope that helps! Happy brewing!

[@ron0126]

Thank you! Love your videos and subscribed. Working my way through all of them now.

[@Brewbitz]

Use potassium MBS if you are on a low sodium (salt) diet.

[@bryantannibanjr.158]

Well you help me a lot brother. I spend so many resources when I process my wine by apsturization.

[@rebeccavalentine-hagart3545]

Is Milton the same thing? Do I need to let that dry first before using the bottles or can I rinse and use? First time brew here, attempting to make elderflower champagne. Thanks for any advice you can give.

[@Brewbitz]

Do not use milton. It can leave a soapy taste

[@cazp1978]

Thanks. Our steriliser is sodium percarbonate. Can we reuse it in the same way you’ve described in this video? Thanks

[@Brewbitz]

Hi. Sodium Percobonate is different steriliser that uses hydrogen peroxide. You do not need to rinse and need to let the surfaces air dry before using.

[@abbygeorge5387]

Thank you for the video, I wish I'd watched it before making my first batch of elderflower because I didn't realise that I was supposed to rinse with water after sterilising- have I ruined the whole batch?

[@Brewbitz]

Hi. It should be ok.

[@mickodonnell890]

Great video, however I have to disagree with the use of Sodium Metabisulphite to sterilise as 'bacteria growth will not be sufficiently inhibited by the chemical, and your beer may still become contaminated'. This is quoted from the book 'Home Brew Beer' by Greg Hughes. I personally use Milton (or similar chlorine based steriliser) or sodium percarbonate

[@Brewbitz]

Milton can react with substances and cause a soapy off flavour, so would not advise using it. I am very lucky to know some scientists at Bath Uni and they told me how and why it works years ago. Basically sodium (or potassium) metabusulphite stops cells from dividing and therefore does not kill organisms, however it does stop them replicating ling enough for the commercial yeast to start making alcohol. The alcohol then kills any bacteria. This also allows the commercial yeast to take precedence in the brew while allowing any natural yeasts to do their funky thing in the background. We also sell chlorine and acid based sterilisers if you do want to kill everything. www.brewbitz.com/collections/sterilisers-cleaners

[@andreiafouto]

If you can use the sodium metabisulfite over and over again, for how long can you keep using it for? For example, once you have fermented the blackberries and transfer it to the next bucket, can you use the same solution to sterilise the first bucket? Or once you bottle the wine, can you use this same solution to sterilise the demijohn? If so how would you store it for that long? In a Jar, bottled, or you can't keep it for that long really? Also I bought a kit with all the equipment to give this a go, it came with VWP steriliser, is this any good, better, worse, or the same as the one you are using, which I also have anyway. One more question :) , Once you have sterilised your equipment do they just stay sterilised until you used them? Say, if I sterilise the bottles before making the wine they will remain that way until I bottle it? Should I cover them? Thank you so much xx

[@Brewbitz]

andreiafouto Hi. The way Sodium Metabisulphate (SMB)basically works is that it gives of sulphur dioxide. When this reacts with water it creates Sulphuric acid. This is what sterilises everything ready for use. You should sterilise just before you use your equipment. Especially as when storing your equipment anything can get on it. SMB can be used over and over again. I tend to use it until it starts looking slightly merkey. VWP is a chlorine based steriliser. As chlorine evaporates, your solution if kept will become weaker and weaker. Chlorine based sterilisers are great if you are enclosed spaces as SMB can cause you to cough if breathed in Hope that helps.

[@JohnSmith-zv8km]

Love your videos but think you could cause confusion by writing and saying Sodium Metabisulphate when it is actually Sodium Metabisulphite

[@ehmehhuh]

I thought chlorine from tap water was bad for brew?

[@Brewbitz]

Ah. The residual Sod Met will sort that out.

[@evepoulston6111]

Thanks

[@kyrkbymannen]

Is the cleaner poisonous?

[@szoboszlaigetltek]

crazy!

[@HitchHikersBlues]

I don't think vinegar tastes horrible. I love it on my chips. It's in tons of recipes. But there ya go.

[@Brewbitz]

Agreed. I love vinegar on my chips and balsamic on my salad, but to drink a glass of it 🤔 especially when there is no alcohol as that is what has been turned to acetic acid.

[@HitchHikersBlues]

​@@Brewbitz I see. Well, I wasn't to anal about how I sterilised my equipment. But I gave them a good seeing to! with scalding water and a small amount of bleach :-D It seemed to have worked ok because the Cyser that I made is very paletable. I'm not looking to be Master Beard Brewer of the year or anything like that. I just want to make some decent stuff. I've drank some awful overpriced stuff out and about over the years 😝 I'm sure Vikings, Celts, or Egyptians made decent enough stuff without all the sterilisation anxiety.

[@byteninja3745]

Can you use milton sterilising tablets on your brewing equipment?

[@harry5217]

Little bit late but yes you can, it's no rinse but I prefer to rinse just in case

1:41 that not *not* a tea spoon...

[@Brewbitz]

That is a teaspoon. A heaped teaspoon.

[@antoniobennett5330]

Can you use thia to sterilize your hands?

[@Brewbitz]

Hi. Probably not. The recommendations out there for Corvid-19 is that the alcohol content has to be above 60%.

[@antoniobennett5330]

Yeah I am doing some intense research into it right now. I mean, if this solution can sterilize containers that store organic material for years I am confused why it wouldn't work as a disinfectant for your hands you know. Couldn't find shit online so if you want it done right you gotta do it yourself.

[@Brewbitz]

Antonio Bennett As far as I understand, these sterilisers are designed to kill bacteria. It seems that viruses are very different. I dont know if these can be used to kill viruses. Also, the chlorine based sterilisers can affect the skin as can Sodium Metabisulphite. Good luck and let us know your findings.

[@antoniobennett5330]

I'll have more to offer in four days to a week. I spent all of yesterday preparing my agar plates but I decided to also test 20 second scrubs of sanitizer, mouth wash, aftershave, shaving cream, vinegar, baking soda, mechanic soap and wood ash. I tend to be a bit curious so we will see for sure. Anaerobic bacterium and viruses have comparable membranes so yes they're different but all things die. Wish I could get my hands on the new antibiotics they've discovered on a side note. Anyway I'll try to update you I had to collect and pasteurize this evening should take a week Anybody reading this and if you're infected I would love to collect a sample. Ty ty

[@tamiafebriyanti3304]

@@antoniobennett5330 so how about the result sir? I want to as i have this at home, and here now its difficult to find another disinfevtant

[@GodfreyTempleton]

Minimalism...I'm converted.

[@LarryjB53]

Having too much fun.

[@polarlab113]

I think if it is going to burn your nose and eyes and don’t breath it in when you open the bucket I won’t be using it.there are far more less dangerous products out there.

[@Brewbitz]

There are also far more dangerous sterilisers.As I said in the video is best to use this in a well ventilated area. There are other sterilisers And here is a link to our steriliser page on our website - www.brewbitz.com/collections/sterilisers-cleaners Choose the best for your personal situation. Cheers and happy brewing

[@scottttym]

No need to rinse it.