Sometimes you have to hit the reset button. You learn things. You start doing things. You start falling into patterns. I think it’s good to stop and just start from the beginning again. Pretend it’s your first brew…but use all your knowledge and experience to make it the best you can.
For me, I need time. I need time to plan it out and have time to execute effectively without distractions. With this Bohemian Pilsner session, everything has to be just right. I need to reset – and take time.
Part of the reset is to revisit cleaning the fermentation equipment before the brew session. I took the time to clean my Better Bottle well. It was in good shape before I dumped the PBW into it and nearly filled it with hot water.
Then, I scrubbed the inside using the carboy brush. I made sure to get the sides and the bottom. I sometimes don’t get to the brushing part. This brew session I did.
So, this step is pretty basic. But for this pilsner, it’s about getting all the basics done perfectly so everything else will have a chance to be done perfectly too.
Aaron
FWIW, I’ve heard that you shouldn’t brush plastic bottles, just use time & temp, and if necessary a soft cloth to swirl around to clean them. A carboy brush can create gouges that will harbor bacteria.
Good idea on the process reboot, it’s always good to break old habits, by rechecking you are doing the right things.
I’m at a different place in the proces, still getting all my equipment, and figuring out a preset config, so I can have a repeatable process. It’s hard when you are constantly getting new equipment, or learning stuff, and when you brew infrequently.
AO
Ray
John, you used a bottle brush on a Better Bottle?!!! That leaves all kinds of scratches, yes? The mfr tells ya not to do that…leaves all kinds of footholds for the nasties to grow.
John
Hi Ray and Aaron,
I went to the Better Bottle site and it says that stiff brushes (or scouring pads or abrasive cleansers) shouldn’t be used. I’d say that carboy brush isn’t stiff plus I don’t think I would have the leverage to scratch the surface.
After I read your comments, I checked out the interior and from what I could see there were no scratches. I did use the brush on the inside of the neck and I didn’t feel any scratches there.
So next time I won’t be so overzealous about cleaning the Better Bottle – but I also don’t think that if you use a bottle brush on it the insides will scratch up.
Mike
I soak with warm PBW and let it go overnight. If there is still krausen stuck to the interior, I have found that a gallon of PBW and one paper towel and a lot of shaking and swirling work well.
I don’t deny the opportunity for micro scratches to form with a brush. I do question the reality of how severe of a scratch needs to be to harbor bacteria. I think many homebrewers have taken this concern too far. A concern for sure, but its not a 100% given that if the brush goes in there, you get a scratch and that scratch then harbors an immovable bacteria. It’s just not as black and white as we have heard.