Hey y’all! Let’s talk about the least glamorous but most important part of brewing: cleaning and sanitizing. For cleaning, I’ve linked to One Step cleaner, and for sanitizing, Star San sanitizer.
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Why it matters so much
In my post on time-saving tools for cleaning and sanitizing, I say that the first and most important thing you need to learn about brewing is cleanliness. You want your beer to taste the way you intended, and contamination can shipwreck that dream.
The basics
In my brewing with kits cost breakdown I list the basics you’ll need to get started: a good cleaner, a sanitizer and a bottle brush. On sanitizer, my advice is simple: don’t risk wrecking your homebrew to an infection. You’re going to need this stuff, so you might as well add it to your list now.
How I fit it into my routine
In my full brewing routine, preparing for brew day means cleaning and sanitizing. First I take my cleaning solution and thoroughly clean and rinse any equipment that will touch the wort. Then I sanitize it too. I usually do this a day or two before brewing so everything has time to dry.
On bottling day I sanitize all the equipment that will touch the beer before I start, so it’s ready at my disposal when I need it.
Save some solution
A money-saving tip from my cleaning post: keep your sanitizing solution in a gallon jug with a funnel and reuse it while it’s still clean. Pour it into a big bowl to sanitize small tools like your auto siphon, then pour it back into the jug if it’s not dirty.
Clean gear means great beer. You can brew it!
Read more: Brewing with kits cost breakdown: how much will it cost?, How I brew beer with a kit, start to finish, 5 time-saving tools for cleaning and sanitizing your gear