Hey all, not completely new to the homebrewing hobby but its been a LONG time. Started about 25 years ago, worked my way up to all grain and kegging etc. like most do but then life and family got in the way and took all of my time. Also got into competitive BBQ which took any other hours in the day away from me as well. Anyway, the family is grown now, still doing the competitive BBQ (and you folks think homebrew is addictive!!) but I have a LOT more time available and my son and I actually have gotten back into the homebrew world. We have started with one gallon pre-kitted extract/DME batches, mainly because I had all of the equipment to DO those still, and to see if we would like it. Also, I remember doing a 5 gallon batch that sucked and then having to find something to DO with all of that bad beer. this is a great way to try a batch with limited consequences if its not great.
My main question at this point is cleaning and sanitizing. Being in the BBQ/catering/food service world and dealing with the County Board of Health constantly with licenses/permits etc. I'm hyper sensitive to it with horror stories of WHY its important. What are the good products out there now to clean and then sanitize glass 5 gallon fermenters and plastic/rubber tubing and racking equipment? When I was brewing back in the day I used a bleach solution for just about everything, mainly because it was CHEAP, but I HATED cleaning the glass fermenters. I know there are cleaning and crud removal products out there now to help with that, just wondering opinions on what is best. Also, once cleaned, what is a good, preferably no rinse, sanitizer to use?
Thanks in advance for any help or advice. Loving the brewing again and LOVE that the gallon batches only take 90 minutes or so start to finish. However, I know myself, and I'll probably be back to all grain 5 gallon batches soon enough. Right now though I'm enjoying the time with my son and HIS time is limited as well so the quick hit gallon batches are an awesome compromise.
Troy
Southern, IL