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Cleaning and sanitizing supplies

Star San, iodophor, PBW, OneStep, brushes, keg washers and line-cleaning kits: cleaners remove soil, sanitizers kill what is left, each used per its label.

Best sanitizers and cleanersCleaning vs sanitizingDraft line cleaningBrew-day safety
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Chemicals: label directions onlyUse sanitizers, cleaners, acids and salts only at the dilution and contact time on the label. Wear eye protection with acids and powders, add acid to water, keep them away from children and food prep. Star San is EPA-registered (Reg. No. 65001-1) as a no-rinse sanitizer at label dilution.Source: EPA Star San label

Brewing sanitizer vs cleaner: what's the difference?

Cleaning and sanitizing are two jobs. A cleaner such as PBW or OneStep removes soil, krausen rings and beer stone; a sanitizer such as Star San or iodophor reduces the microbes left on an already clean surface. Sanitizer cannot work through dirt, so clean first, rinse, then sanitize whatever touches cooled wort or beer.

What the label says each product is

ProductLabel useRinse?
Five Star Star SanSanitizer, EPA Reg. No. 65001-1✓ No-rinse at label dilution
National Chemicals BTF IodophorSanitizer✓ No-rinse, low-foam per label
Five Star PBWCleaner (not a sanitizer)✗ Rinse
Logic OneStepNo-rinse cleanser~ Cleaner; sanitize separately
Five Star SanicleanAcid final rinse~ Per label

Source: Product labels and EPA PPLS

A cleaning routine that works

  1. Rinse right away

    Hot water on the fermenter, kettle or keg as soon as it is empty saves most of the scrubbing.

  2. Clean

    Soak in a cleaner mixed per its label, then use a soft brush or cloth. Avoid scratching plastic.

  3. Rinse

    Rinse cleaner residue with clean water.

  4. Sanitize just before use

    Mix the sanitizer at its label dilution and respect its contact time. Star San foam left behind at label dilution does not need rinsing.

Keg and beer line cleaning

Beer lines build up film that hurts flavor. Run a dedicated line cleaner through the lines and faucet on a regular schedule with a hand-pump or recirculating kit, then flush with water. Wear eye protection with alkaline line cleaners and keep all chemicals away from children and food prep.

Moving to kegs? The kegging switch hub covers the rest of the routine.

Cleaning mistakes to avoid

  • Using a sanitizer as a cleaner: it cannot cut through soil or krausen.
  • Mixing chemicals, especially bleach with acid sanitizers.
  • Scratching plastic fermenters with abrasive pads.
  • Guessing the dilution: measure per the label every time.
  • Ignoring the faucet: take it apart and clean it along with the lines.

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Cleaning & sanitizing: questions

Do I need to rinse Star San?
No, not at label dilution. Five Star labels Star San (EPA Reg. No. 65001-1) as a no-rinse sanitizer when mixed as directed; the leftover foam is fine.
Is OneStep a sanitizer?
OneStep is sold as a no-rinse cleanser. Treat it as a cleaner and follow it with a registered sanitizer such as Star San or iodophor for anything that touches cooled wort.
What is the best brewing sanitizer?
Star San and iodophor are the common no-rinse choices. Star San foams into crevices; iodophor is low-foam and may stain plastic. Use either at its label dilution and contact time.
Can I use bleach to sanitize brewing equipment?
Only per its own EPA label for food-contact surfaces, and rinse well; leftover chlorine can cause medicinal off-flavors. Never mix bleach with acid sanitizers.
How long does mixed Star San last?
Follow the current label. Mixed solution loses strength as it picks up minerals and dirt; if it turns cloudy, mix fresh.