Hey there, brewers! This might be the simplest tip I’ve ever shared, but it’s made a big difference in my brewing life: get a dedicated bucket for cleaning, like this 3.5-gallon plastic bucket.
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Why a bucket?
You’re going to be cleaning a lot of equipment. I use second-hand bottles for my homebrew, which means I’ve had to clean a lot of bottles. In my post on 5 time-saving tools for cleaning and sanitizing, I shared that the most enjoyable way I’ve found to do this is filling a 3.5 or 5-gallon bucket with hot water and cleaning solution.
One important rule
Make sure this is a separate bucket from your brewing bucket (your fermenter). You want to keep your fermenter in good shape and free from anything that could cause problems. A cheap bucket just for cleaning keeps things simple.
Make it relaxing
Here’s my favorite part. I take the bucket outside, throw on a podcast and chill out in the yard watching the world go by while I clean my bottles. It’s really relaxing to sit in the sun and wash, scrub and rinse bottles somewhere you don’t have to worry about spilling anything. It’s also helpful for cleaning kegs.
So grab your bottles, your bucket, a scrub brush and your shades, and head out to the yard.
Which size?
Either size works. If you’d like something a bit bigger, here’s 5-gallon-size bucket. Pick whatever fits your space.
Small changes, big rewards
Cleaning is one of the most important parts of brewing, and once you have a routine down, it becomes second nature. For more of my cleaning tips, check out my full brewing routine. You can brew it!
Read more: 5 time-saving tools for cleaning and sanitizing your gear