Effective Ideas On Brewery Sanitation

By Essie Osborn


Keeping breweries clean requires attention to a number of important factors. The fact that the equipment look clean does not mean they actually are. A good cleaning chemical and elbow grease cannot be replaced by anything else. Ensure compatibility for any sanitizing agent before using it. This ensures that rinsing agents that are contaminated are not used again.

Sodium hydroxide has been used in the industry for a while as a cleaning agent. It remains a sensitive reagent that is not available to everyone. Trisodium phosphate has effectively been used as a replacement. It clears protein materials stuck on the walls of brewing equipment. The quality of the final product will be determined by your level of brewery sanitation.

Sanitizing is important for all items that come into contact with your drink. Washing is not enough since the water and agents used are likely to have contaminants. Washing aims at removing dust and dirt. Sanitizing is aimed at killing the bacteria and other micro-organisms that remain after washing.

Thorough washing is important even though sanitizing will eventually be done. It greatly reduces the level of contamination. Micro-organisms can only be removed using special reagents. Such reagents prevent buildup. Brushes and sponges are used on areas that are easily reached.

A stronger detergent is useful if the contaminants or stains are strong. The walls of the fermenter are likely to have residues which are cleared using a stronger agent. The residues leave a filmy deposit that requires expert clearing. The rinsing must also be thorough to avoid contaminating your brew.

Bleach based cleaners are not friendly to stainless surfaces. This means that fermenters are best made of such material as glass. The period of contact should be as short as possible. The bleaches react with the surfaces in the shortest time possible with the likelihood of pocking holes. Plastics are dangerous because they absorb the chemicals.

The sanitizers available in the market are sufficient for varied uses. The quantities depend on the level of contamination. The length of time a container is used also affects how it reacts with the beer. It is easier to clean glass surfaces as compared to other forms fermenters. This is a choice for individuals.

Calcium oxalate is a common contaminant which is known as beer stone in other circles. It results from the use of some components during brewing. Caustics are the best sanitizers in this case. It is sold on the form of liquid or solid depending on the brand.

It is not helpful to clean the boilers without sanitizing the others equipment. Spoons used for stirring require similar attention because they cause the same amount of damage. The combination of a bactericide and a fungicide helps to raise the levels of sanitation. The spoons are likely to get clean in the process of stirring. Germs are unlikely to survive the heat.

PVC hose and tubing play a vital role in the brewing process but have the potential of causing immense damage. The length and twists on these pipes is prohibitive at times. It presents the challenge of controlling temperature and pressure. This makes shorter pipes and tubes more effective.




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