السبت، 8 فبراير 2014

Understanding What A Brewery Sanitizer Does

By Marcie Goodman


A brewery sanitizer is a compound or agent used to eliminate contaminants that exist in brewery equipments. These contaminants are bacteria, germs, viruses and other microorganisms that can flourish in the wort. The normal cleaning process of using water and basic detergents cannot kill these contaminants because they are resistant to it. Failure to sanitize the equipments will lead to poor fermentation process and thus lead to poor beer flavor.

It is clear that sanitization requires much attention for the whole process to be successful. Any chance that other microorganism can dwell in the wort together with yeast should be eradicated. The wort solution is a good environment for bacteria to live and reproduce. They therefore end up spoiling the beer batch by giving it off flavors. Bacteria will not only be hidden in the fermentor but also in other brewing equipments like the funnel and siphon. Therefore, making it necessary to sanitize all items.

The mostly accessible decontaminator is Isopropyl.This chemical is an inorganic alcohol that is used in several sterilization procedures. It kills bacteria by paralyzing their basic body functions like energy production and cell detoxification. It is mixed with water in a two thirds proportion and in it the brewing items are soaked for a few minutes. One should exercise due care as alcohol can cause explosions even when mixed with water.

The next sanitizer is Iodophor, and it contains iodine that provides its sanitization properties. One teaspoon of iodophor is dissolved in nineteen liters of water in order to make the sterilizing solution. The solution has a rusty color that is used as an indicator of its viability. A change in color to more clear forms hints that iodine concentrations have subsidized. Failure to follow manufactures instructions will lead to a poor end product of beer.

Chlorine bleach is also a sanitizer that is commonly used by both sets of brewers. It is cheap and easily available therefore making it popular. Its results are also outstanding as most beer batches come out with a few hitches. However, it need not be the last decontaminator used as it is very corrosive. Other sterilizers have to be used after it in order to maintain the beer quality.

Another effective sanitizer is moist heat that is generated inside pressure cookers or autoclaves. These apparatus employ the use of steam under pressure to exterminate all microorganisms in less than twenty minutes.

Lastly is the use of hydrogen peroxide as a sanitizing agent. It kills living contaminants by oxidizing their cell structures in about ten minutes. It is considered to be an expensive chemical therefore it is only used in simple tasks that require small volumes of it. It can be used as a rinsing substance after other sanitizers have been used.

The most experienced home brewers know what brewery sanitizer to pick. They also know how to interchange it severally depending on how often they use a certain equipment to produce batches. Therefore, a case of producing off taste beer is not a problem they encounter.




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