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2/25/2013 -- Does the Idophor solution lose its effectiveness once mixed up? After making up 2.5 gallons for brew day I poured it into secondary glass carboy and was planning on using it to sanitze bottles
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No, it doesn't. It loses effectiveness with exposure to air (oxygen). If mixed up, and capped off in a container it can last a long time indeed.
You can tell by the color. It goes from a light yellow/orange to clear when it is no longer effective.
8/27/2012 -- I am interested in recommendations for CLEANING a glass (5-gal) carboy. Overall, the carboy is in great shape (no films, build ups etc), it's in good enough condition I would consider it "new". I have SanStar for sanitizing it, but I haven't done an initial cleaning. What should i use? I read about 10:1 bleach cleaning (10 parts water) I've also read about using oxyclean (non-perfume based). Thanks for any suggestions you may have.
visited the store the other day and was amazed by the customer service, look forward to working with you all in the future!
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Both Super Grunge Remover and One-Step are great for cleaning glass carboys. See links below
I would NOT use bleach for that purpose. It's an effective sanitizer, but not that great of a cleaner. 10:1 ratio is also WAY too much bleach. We've smelled/tasted too many beers ruined by the use of bleach.
3/5/2012 -- SANITATION leading to sanitarium.
Do I realy need to use sanitizer in CLEAN bottles that just went through the super hot dishwasher with a tini bit of bleach?
dishwasher cool down and bottle same day.
Thanks AGAIN guys.
Do you like to taste customers beer?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Probably not. Re-sanitizing seems like overkill to me.
Yes, we like to taste customer beers. There are a few times when we are extremely busy, but even then we can usually work it in.
5/17/2010 -- what is your phone number?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We can be reached at (425) 355-8865
Our toll free order is (800) 850-2739
11/21/2009 -- I sanitized my 52 bottles today and just realized the bubbling in my secondary carboy fermentor is not less than 3 minutes yet. Do you think I can bottle in a couple of days without re-sanitizing (ughhh...)all of my bottles?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Certainly. Just cover them up, and you should be just fine.
10/19/2009 -- Do you recommend dilluting the Iodophor when using the sanitizing injector, or do I use it full strength?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Most definately dilute it!
9/14/2009 -- Can I reuse the plastic caps on the plastic bottles?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, they can be re-used. Just be sure to sanitize both the bottle AND the caps before refilling. Iodophor works best for that.
8/11/2009 -- Can I also use the sanitizer for sterilizing my RV's water system instead of clorox (and the taste and smell)
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We have to be careful here about the terminology. Cleaning, sanitizing and sterilizing all have different meanings.
Also, I am not sure of how you intend to use the product. If you intend to fill your system and dump it after sanitizing, or if you intend to use the product as an "additive" to the water you use (sometimes) for drinking.
I'm not a big fan of clorox either. I have heard of people adding a few Tbsp of clorox every DAY to their small water system. Guess what, it builds up, and pretty soon even their dog wouldn't drink it. I certainly wouldn't either.
We sell another product, called Iodophor, that is a very good sanitizer. It is used in the dairy and soda pop industries as well as restaurants etc to sanitize equipment. The oxygen in the air causes the iodophor to dissipate and it leaves no residue behind. It would be good for sanitizing your tank system. I would drain it afterwards and let it dry. I don't think you'd like the taste of it in your water either so I wouldn't use it as an "additive".
So again, much depends on how you intend to use the product. Perhaps an RV part store would have a better idea, or a better product than clorox.
1/26/2008 -- I live about an hour (if traffic is good) from the address on your website. Do you have an actual store or is everything here based solely online?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we have an actual brick-and-mortar store in Everett, WA. People actually walk in and buy stuff!
Our address is:
Homebrew Heaven
9109 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98204
Here is a video of our shop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1a5fKvv8XI
Heck, you can actually call us on the phone, too! It's 425-355-8865. A person will actually answer as long as it's business hours!
5/2/2005 -- What is the difference between sanitizing and Cleaning?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: BIG difference. Cleaning is the removal of any grime, oils, residue etc. Sanitizing is the removal of bacteria, molds etc. that can affect your brewing.
It is possible to have a surface that is clean, but not sanitized, for instance (and visa versa).
3/7/2005 -- What are your thoughts on using bleach to sanitize things???
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We are not enthusiastic about it, having tasted too many beers that were ruined by using too much bleach, or by insufficient rinsing. If it's all you HAVE, by all means use it temporarily, but Iodophor is a much better, and safer alternative.
9/22/2004 -- Okay, do you have to be able to perform magic in order to get the inside of a siphon hose dry? I know that if you don't keep your siphon hose clean it is the most likely to develop bacteria. Which in turn can do your body some damage, what my friends and I like to call, "screaming Apache butt piss." I clean my siphon hose exceptionally well, probably cleaner then most people would. Only one problem! I can't get all the water out of the siphon hose. Not even days later, while it's sitting in my kitchen at room temperature on my wife's dish drying rack. This makes for great morning conversation between my wife and I on a daily basis. So I ask you.................how is it done?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Well...the only time this hose has to be sanitary is just before you use it. A little moisture, as long as it's clean, shouldn't be an issue. Before use, however, it makes sense to run a little sanitizer thru the tubing so that it is clean AND sanitized.
After using, give it a rinse and forget it. Mornings with the wife should be reserved for well...other things.
3/4/2004 -- Regarding cleaning bottles: is using a bottle washer a replacement for a bottle brush? We have been rinsing (after inital pour), soaking, scrubbing then sanitizing before bottling. Can we just bottle wash, sanitize then bottle?? Thanks for answering you've got a great supply website.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It sounds like you do way more than I do. Frankly, I have never had a problem with a bottle that was rinsed after being used, and then sanitized before filling.
As long as your bottles don't accumulate a lot of "crud" between uses, I see no reason for all that scrubbing.
I'm sure you will find people who disagree with my approach, but hey...why take it further than necessary?
Now if you are using bottles from a recyling center, where anything could be found in those bottles, then yes, a scrub is probably a good thing.
Thanks for the kind words about our website! We work hard on it.
12/1/2003 -- Hello,
Just getting back into it after a few years off.
In any case I find being sanitary the largest pain in the arse during the process. I am so consumed about sanitation it bugs me. So I have the following questions. After sanitizing my equipment, like the funnel, siphon hoses, fermenter etc, how long can they sit in the open air before they are considered at risk again? Mind you i keep all bottles, carboys and fermenters upside down and siphon hoses under the upside down fermenter pails during the boil. OR should I be sanitizing the equipment just before the wort boil is about to end.
All the literature tels you to sanitize, cleanliness,sanitize, cleanliness, and more BUT never tell you the best way to implement the sanitization process.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Wow. You ARE consumed about sanitation. I believe you've taken it too far. Making beer is really no different than making soup, and common kitchen practices are usually sufficient for brewing. I have never had an infection, and after working in a brewship for 10 years, I have only "heard" of a few from customers.
Yes, things like fermenters and funnels need to be sanitized, but once done, I see no need to be concerned with airborne bacteria. The only thing that I am really careful with is the siphon hose, since it tends to trap moisture and crud.
Remember too, that there is only a short time when your wort is susceptable to infection...from just after cooling from the boil, to when active fermentation kicks in. The boil protects the wort, and so does the CO2 produced by the fermentation itself. After that, the alcohol and hops are working for YOU, and help to protect the beer.
In short, sometimes the available literature goes too far on this issue. If it seems excessive...it probably is.
11/19/2003 -- After a long hiatus (about 10 years), I am returning to the homebrewing world. Is it a good idea to replace my plastic equipment (fermenters, tubing, etc.) or will a good dose of sanitizer bring it back into safe, usable condition?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I would keep the fermenters. As long as they are not too crusty, and a good cleaning will restore them. Cleaning is different than sanitizing, of course, so after a thorough cleaning, use something like Iodophor to make sure it has been sanitized as well.
Siphon hose is known to harbor bacteria, however, and is inexpensive to replace. I would do that.
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