Keeping bleach sanitising solution & other questions

[Sir Real Ale]

Made my first batch ever this weekend

Hadn't quite got my mind in gear as to what I was doing , so after cleaning with Soda Crystals I filled up the fermenter to the 10 ltr mark and through in a bit of bleach (hopefully 30ml). I let it sit there for 20 mins, occasionally using soft brush to spread it up the sides, but top half did not really soak. I'm hoping I'll get away with it - any comments?

I then poured it into my barrel that I will use in a week or so. Is this a good or bad thing? I intend to swill the barrel around lots and then rinse out thoroughly, but I am doing damage leaving it sitting there? I was trying to preserve water really as I had used a lot for rinsing already.

I also managed to break my glass hydrometer leaving it sitting inside the fermenter (it was quite a cold day) I do have a spare plastic one - any opinions on this? I've read that I can lob it in the fermenter and it will do it's stuff somehow.

SRA



p.s. I like 'sanitise' cos 'santitize' must be American spelling!

[sparky Paul]

Hadn't quite got my mind in gear as to what I was doing , so after cleaning with Soda Crystals I filled up the fermenter to the 10 ltr mark and through in a bit of bleach (hopefully 30ml). I let it sit there for 20 mins, occasionally using soft brush to spread it up the sides, but top half did not really soak. I'm hoping I'll get away with it - any comments?

Your routine will come with practise!

Your fermenter cleaning/sanitising routine sounds almost the same as mine, and I never seem to have any problems - so long as the top half is thoroughly wetted a few times, you should be okay. Put the lid on and keep shaking it about a bit!

I usually combine a bottling session with sanitising the fermenter for a new brew to reuse the water, then throw the bleachy water down the lav. It's a good excuse to keep brewing!

I also managed to break my glass hydrometer leaving it sitting inside the fermenter (it was quite a cold day) I do have a spare plastic one - any opinions on this? I've read that I can lob it in the fermenter and it will do it's stuff somehow.

Firstly, make sure you are entirely happy that there is no chance of any glass being left in the fermenter. Feel (very carefully!) around the bottom to check for any bits embedded into the plastic.

As for plastic hydrometers, as far as I know, they work fine - but I reckon the surface of the glass ones will sanitise better. I always sanitise the hydro, then leave in in the fermenter, I reckon it reduces the risk of introducing anything nasty. Others take the hydro out and sanitise for each use.

p.s. I like 'sanitise' cos 'sanitize' must be American spelling!

Quite correct!