Pressure Barrels

[barney]

Good Morning All,

I had a bit of a scare last night whilst reading about a wine kit I plan to make. The gist of it was that I shouldn't be leaving cleaner or sterilizer in a vessel for extended periods of time, they should be stored dry and empty. The scare was relating to two pressure barrels I have had soaking in cleaner/sanitizer since last Saturday in preparation for use tomorrow.

Is anyone of the opinion that this could be classed as extended? What are the risks associated with soaking too long? Can the plastic absorb chlorine and leach it back out at a later date?

Can someone put my mind at rest please.

[Kev888]

I think it depends on the cleaner being used really. I've had problems in the past with deposits forming (on the inside of demijohns for instance) in extended soaks in bleach-based solutions, so now I tend to keep things to overnight or maybe a day at most; if its not clean in that time it would be fairly unusual for a hot percarbonate-based cleaner.

The other thing is that many cleaning potions don't remain potent indefinately, percarbonate and other oxi cleaners will stop fizzing, bleach cleaners break down and so on, so if left too long you end up with a bucket full of something which could actually be a pleasant home to nasties. So definately if storing things drying them out thoroughly is generally best.

For stuff thats difficult to dry (like hoses) I tend to give a final rinse with starsan as the moisture left will at least start out well sanitised, or with my pump system I fill it with starsan and cap the ends - starsan stays viable for quite some time so combined with being sealed/capped it more than tides it over between brews.

Cheers
Kev

[barney]

Thanks for that Kev,

I wont be leaving stuff standing like that again.