[Stevie]

How are some of you handling keeping valves clean while fermenting for 2-4 weeks? They way I look at it, it doesn't mater how clean it is when the wort is added if it can't be trusted at racking. I'm thinking a sanitized water ballon or finger condom (the type used in a kitchen for cuts) over the output might be a good and cheap solution.

The valves them selves also leave plenty of nooks and crannies for stuff to hide, but I think that is less of a concern if they are disassembled for cleaning.

Fermonsters now come pre-drilled with valves so this is why I ask.

[narcout]

I spray the entire valve (exterior and up into the interior) with an Iodophor solution prior to racking out.  I also ferment in a chest freezer so the valve isn't exposed to all that much.

Although the valve on my fermentor can be disassembled for cleaning, I've never felt the need.

[BairsBrewing]

I do the same as narcout with the exception of the use of star-san instead of idophor.  Never had an issue. Also use a chest freezer for my fermentation chamber.

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[Ale Farmer]

Glad to see this question raised--the other day I filled for the first time a fermenter with a valve (a Bigmouth Bubbler) for a bitter. I plan on using Starsan when I bottle in a few weeks but would like to hear of other options.

[Stevie]

I just don't trust a spritz of sanitizer enough. Those valves are not "sanitary"

[BairsBrewing]

As long as you sanitize before fermentation and don't open it too many times (gravity tests), the possibility of contamination is low. It's like the brewhouses only on a smaller scale, they do the same thing. Sanitize the output of the valve and nothing bad should get inside.

[Stevie]

They are also using ball valves for sampling (still not sanitary) and butterfly valves for transfers (sanitary). Maybe I'm being paranoid, but it's just tough for me to get past.

[BairsBrewing]

I use ball valves, and they are yuge!  JK. I have been doing this for a year with no adverse affects. But then I keg so maybe I have a biased opinion since I'm not bottling.

[Philbrew]

I have BM Bubblers with valves that I installed before they were offered that way.  I shoot Starsan from a spray bottle up the outlet after (and before) every time I use the valve.  After two years and 30+ batches, no issues!

Hey, it's just beer!

[Hand of Dom]

I use a bucket with a tap at the bottom to ferment, when it comes to bottling time, I spray the outside and inside of the tap with starsan, attach a sanitised PVC hose to the tap, and transfer to my bottling bucket for priming.  I then use the same hose to attach to a sanitised tap on bottling bucket, add a little bottler to the hose, and bottle.  Never had any issues with infection doing this.  The taps get a soak in soda crystal solution at cleaning time, and sanitised before use.

[bboy9000]

Use really hot water.

[Ellismr]

If the valve is plastic I spray inside and out with Starsan.  If metal I spray the inside with isopropyl alcohol and flame it.


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[narcout]

I just don't trust a spritz of sanitizer enough. Those valves are not "sanitary"

I think I've had my SS brewbucket for about 2 years and have not had any problems.