Confusing sterilisation and cleaning

[Belto]

I have just obtained two Rotakegs at £5.00 each and I need to clean and strilise. I have read various opinions and still confused
I do not want to have residual smells and tastes in the brew.
Bleach seems to be used a lot on intial cleaning but possible after taste etc.
Reading Daabs etc I plan to Use Soda Crystals (0.68p per 1Kg Local supermaket) for initial cleaning deposits etc and then to use Betadine £2.85 500ml [purchase at local Chemist off the shelf] at recommended dilutions and leave without rinsing.
would this be the correct approach

[inthedark]

That's what I do. Can't be doing with rinsing bleach. Soda crystals rinse far more easily.

[Scooby]

There is plenty of advice here on this subject and it looks like you have taken heed of it

I feel it's good to have a number of options in your cleaning/sanitising armoury not only so you can tackle various tasks but to guard against any nasties developing an immunity to a regularly used product

[Calum]

I use Liquid Soda Crystals for cleaning bottles that have fungal growths and spiders webs in them (some have been sitting in the garage for a couple of years waiting to be called into action) and it is amazing how quickly it cuts through the grime and leaves everything shiny clean.

[Andy]

I use soda crystals or an oxygen cleaner (cillit bang) for cleaning duties and Iodophor (betadine) for sanitising.

Cheapest supply I've found for Soda Crystals is 51p/kg from Wilkinsons stores.

[maxashton]

Does it really clean that effectively?

[Belto]

I have just finished cleaning the Rota kegs and the Soda crystals removed all stains and residue from where ever.
Took taps apart , 'O' rings and now soaking the inside that really is clean enough.
What happens now, I have the Betadine but will not be using Rotakegs for a while, do I reassemble every thing after a good rinse and apply the Sanitiser when I am about to fill?

[maxashton]

Yes mate, you sanitize just before you fill, and dump the solution when you're ready.
If you mix the iodophor at the reccomended proportions, you won't have to rinse.

[Frothy]

Careful with the Betadine Belto - if it's off the shelf then you may fall in to the same trap I did. If it's a 1% solution of Povidone-iodine (the Mouthwash Variety) then you'l need 20ml/L, the stuff everyone else uses is the 10% solution @ 2ml/L. It should have a dark colour when mixed up and viable.

Frothy

[pongobilly]

im thinking of using the Betadine stuff just for me bottles, is it just a case of making one bottles worth up and then keep moving it from one bottle to the next and how long do you leave it in the bottle for to steralise, and is it deffeinatley a no rinse solution, how do you make the solution up, can anyone post a pic of there bottle of betadine so we know which is the right one to buy

cheers

[maxashton]

If you mix Betadine at 2.5ml per 2000ml, you don't need to rinse, and its sanitized after 2 minutes contact time.

[kt88man]

... can anyone post a pic of there bottle of betadine so we know which is the right one to buy ...

Andy posted this link a few days ago http://www.hyperdrug.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BETANTISOL which has an image of the bottle in question.

[maxashton]

ON the left!

http://picasaweb.google.com/Nicodiemus/ ... 8530806050

You need to ask for Standardised Betadine Solution (Aqueous). Make sure you tell them NOT the kind that contains alcohol.

The standardised stuff is 10%.

Ta.

[pongobilly]

can you use a hand held steamer to sanitise bottles

[Andy]

Don't get this stuff:-

linky