cleaning my barrel
cleaning my barrel
Can someone give me the low down on the best way to clean your barrel as i have read various methods using various cleaning agents, most of which I have never heard of. This info would be most appreciated as I want to nip into town on Saturday to buy whatever it is I need so if you could also give me info on where to buy the stuff from that too would be appreciated. Mine is only a budget barrel by the way with a 2" cap.
Hi James
Pop into the 'Cleaning and Sterilising' Forum. All the answers are there. You'll need a long handled brush, a carboy brush, to physically clean the interior in conjunction with the solution if it needs it, ie if you've got stuck on crud. If not then the cleaning/sterilising solutions recommended will do it alone.
That's the only drawback with the budget barrels. Cap hole to small to get your hand in.
As to your fermentation, the answer is no. Generally speaking, British ale ferments best between 16c and 20c. You don't really want it to get much warmer than that if you can help it, so a quilt or any extra form of heating won't be necessary in your room.
Cheers,
Pop into the 'Cleaning and Sterilising' Forum. All the answers are there. You'll need a long handled brush, a carboy brush, to physically clean the interior in conjunction with the solution if it needs it, ie if you've got stuck on crud. If not then the cleaning/sterilising solutions recommended will do it alone.
That's the only drawback with the budget barrels. Cap hole to small to get your hand in.
As to your fermentation, the answer is no. Generally speaking, British ale ferments best between 16c and 20c. You don't really want it to get much warmer than that if you can help it, so a quilt or any extra form of heating won't be necessary in your room.
Cheers,
SteveD wrote:Hi James
Pop into the 'Cleaning and Sterilising' Forum. All the answers are there. You'll need a long handled brush, a carboy brush, to physically clean the interior in conjunction with the solution if it needs it, ie if you've got stuck on crud. If not then the cleaning/sterilising solutions recommended will do it alone. That's the only drawback with the budget barrels. Cap hole to small to get your hand in.
I used to use Chempro, (no longer available) and now use VWP, or WVP, however it's spelt because that's the stuff my nearest shop stocks, it's a chlorine based cleaner/steriliser, but then I'm a philistine out of the ark. There will be better stuff than that I'm sure, no rinse stuff, etc, Idophor.
WVP smells nasty, catches you in the throat when you're measuring it out.
As to your fermentation, the answer is no. Generally speaking, British ale ferments best between 16c and 20c. You don't really want it to get much warmer than that if you can help it, so a quilt or any extra form of heating won't be necessary in your room.
Cheers,