Using Bleach As A Sanitizer

[haerbob3]

I found this to be quite an informative read on using bleach as a sanitizer:
Using Bleach As A Sanitizer
Bleach is our main sanitizer at work. We use Quat in our pot sinks. As we tell the new hires if you can smell the bleach you are using too much. In the proper concentration it is a no rinse sanitizer. All of our cutting board are sanitized this way. I have been using bleach since my Grandpa, Uncles and Dad taught us young uns to make wine. Hard to believe a Germany family and not a single brewer in the bunch Hope you find it helpful

[Brewbirds]

Thanks for posting that Bob. I know it is probably considered one of the cheapest sanitizers available if you are buying the laundry section variety (without fragrance or colors) but finding a food grade version may become more difficult and more expensive. Do you get a food grade version for work from your suppliers?

My worry with using chlorine products for sanitizing brew gear is chlorophenols, that is some nasty tasting stuff with a very small taste threshold that can ruin a batch of beer. And you know I speak from personal experience. So I would be very leery of using it as a no rinse sanitizer.

[russki]

My worry with using chlorine products for sanitizing brew gear is chlorophenols, that is some nasty tasting stuff with a very small taste threshold that can ruin a batch of beer. And you know I speak from personal experience. So I would be very leery of using it as a no rinse sanitizer.

^This.

If you do decide to use bleach, make sure to rinse it off, unless you like drinking band-aids. I would recommend just sticking with StarSan (or other no-rinse sanitizer).

[haerbob3]

nope just regular ole bleach with no additives Never had a bleach taste in anything. Like I said I have used it for years never had an issue with it. I am comfortable with using it. I provided this as additional information. The more you know the better you brew. You should always use a methodology that you are comfortable with using. Some sanitizers such as bleach & iodine could cause poisoning if used incorrectly. Also never use bleach on stainless you will ruin it.

Definitely seems like I opened up another can of worms here. I would never recommend that somebody change to using bleach. It is what I have used with family, on my own and professionally for about 40 years. For bottling beer have never used it. For that purpose I use the sanitizing cycle of my dishwasher. A properly cleaned fermenter & just gets a quick rinse of a low ppm bleach solution. Cleaning is your best defense against an infection. Replacing your plastic fermenters on a regular is important. I replace mine annually expect for my Better Bottles.

[monsteroyd]

Ok so they are saying 1/2 teaspoon one tablespoon per gallon for a no rinse food safe sanitizer. Didn't realize that bleach was that potent.

EDIT: As shown in Table 1, about one tablespoon (1/2 fluid ounce, 15
ml) of typical chlorine bleach per gallon of water is the maximum
that should be used for sanitizing food contact surfaces, according
to federal regulation. If higher concentrations are used, the surface
must be rinsed with potable water after sanitizing. Contact times of
one to five minutes are usually sufficient to achieve a thorough kill,
depending on chlorine concentration and organic load


Monty

[LouieMacGoo]

I have to agree with Russki here and stick with StarSan, It's quick and easy and there isn't much worry about how to use it. Some time back I posted this chart showing the most popular cleaning and sanitizing products for home brewers. It also shows brief details, amounts and rinsing instructions for each product. There is also a link to Realbeer.com's COMPLETE GUIDE TO CLEANING AND SANITATION that provides even more details about different cleaning methods, perhaps more then you most likely ever wanted to know, but it is a great resource.

The thing that you have to remember is that food prep can be much different then brewing. For food prep you are consuming the food almost immediately and there usually isn't anything else that happens to the food once it is prepared and cooked, whereas in brewing you are relying on chemical reactions over a long period of time to create the end result and even a trace of bleach can affect the end result.

[monsteroyd]

Agreed, if ya got it. But in a pinch, you could use bleach. I didn't even know there was a no rinse option with it.

Monty

[John Sand]

While I also use Starsan, I'm always glad to hear alternate procedures. Thanks Bob!

[The_Professor]

I have been using a bleach/vinegar solution for sanitizing as discussed some here. NOTE THE PART WHERE IT IS MENTIONED THAT YOU DO NOT MIX THE BLEACH AND VINEGAR TOGETHER DIRECTLY.

It is no rinse but you need to let it air dry completely.

How good is it? You can clean your kitchen or bathroom with it.

[dad2all5]

Very interesting , I would have switched to bleach but after readin I will stick with the product from Demon Brew.

[Philmin9]

I use bleach to kill everything in a keg after it has been infected. If I get an infected batch, first I clean with scentless dish soap, then dry, then bleach it, let it sit with the bleach for half an hour. Then rinse thoroughly with cold water. Finally, sanitize as normal on brew day. Maybe it isn't the bleach, but I've never had a repeat infection.

[LouieMacGoo]

Very interesting , I would have switched to bleach but after readin I will stick with the product from Demon Brew.

The OneStep that BrewDemon supplies work pretty good but you do need to give it some time to allow it to work properly. I still use OneStep but I also use StarSan because it works almost instantly and I keep a spray bottle of it on hand to spray on my bottling wand or hoses or anything else that I might need to quickly "sanitize" and not have to worry about rinsing it off.

[mtsoxfan]

While we have switched from bleach as a sanitizer at school, gov regulation I think, we still use a bleach based sanitizer, quats. That has avery limited life, two hours if I remember right. I would still be worried about residue giving off flavors if using bleach.... beer can be finicky at times...

I exclusivly use star san myself. no worries....

[Gymrat]

Very interesting , I would have switched to bleach but after readin I will stick with the product from Demon Brew.

The OneStep that BrewDemon supplies work pretty good but you do need to give it some time to allow it to work properly. I still use OneStep but I also use StarSan because it works almost instantly and I keep a spray bottle of it on hand to spray on my bottling wand or hoses or anything else that I might need to quickly "sanitize" and not have to worry about rinsing it off.

The one step actually works with 30 seconds of contact. The 10 minutes recommended is how long it takes to dissolve properly. I have been playing around with star san but I still prefer one step.