[Robert]

Well, I've never had a single infection either, so apparently the various things I've used have all worked well enough. It might also be that I prioritize cleaning over any sanitizers.  It may be heresy in some circles, but my philosophy has always been:  Sanitizing is just killing the stuff left on a surface, cleaning is getting rid of it in the first place; sanitizers should be redundant, but make you feel reassured.  That's me.

[denny]

Well, I've never had a single infection either, so apparently the various things I've used have all worked well enough. It might also be that I prioritize cleaning over any sanitizers.  It may be heresy in some circles, but my philosophy has always been:  Sanitizing is just killing the stuff left on a surface, cleaning is getting rid of it in the first place; sanitizers should be redundant, but make you feel reassured.  That's me.

That's not heresy at all.  From the time I started brewing 20+ years ago, the rule was "you can't sanitize what isn't clean".  It's well known and, as far as I've seen, adhered to.   

[bayareabrewer]

This study is not any good. It tested the efficacy of sanitizers using a 1:10 concentration of sanitizer and contaminant. Of course they wont be effective at that rate. We don't use iodophor for that purpose. It isn't meant to be used that way. We use it as a surface sanitizer on clean surfaces, and for that purpose it is very effective.

[bayareabrewer]

MBAA podcast ep. 96

Some very interesting (and potentially scary) stuff.  Apparently iodophor, especially at no-rinse concentrations,  isn't really very effective.  Worth a listen.

So what's the takeaway?  And what about personal experience finding iodophor very effective?

the takeaway should be that if you clean your equipment and use iodophor at the proper concentration and contact time it will be effective.

[Robert]

^^^^
Thanks for clearing this up!  (Wonder how it got as far as a presentation at the MBAA... and apparently not just a poster either.  We've got smarter people here.) 

[klickitat jim]

This study is not any good. It tested the efficacy of sanitizers using a 1:10 concentration of sanitizer and contaminant. Of course they wont be effective at that rate. We don't use iodophor for that purpose. It isn't meant to be used that way. We use it as a surface sanitizer on clean surfaces, and for that purpose it is very effective.

So, as long as I don't sanitize with 1 part rinse-free iodophor and 10 parts pedio... I should be fine?

[bayareabrewer]

This study is not any good. It tested the efficacy of sanitizers using a 1:10 concentration of sanitizer and contaminant. Of course they wont be effective at that rate. We don't use iodophor for that purpose. It isn't meant to be used that way. We use it as a surface sanitizer on clean surfaces, and for that purpose it is very effective.

So, as long as I don't sanitize with 1 part rinse-free iodophor and 10 parts pedio... I should be fine?

haha yup. Its like leaving half a gallon of pedio slurry in your corny keg then filling it with sanitizer and expecting it to work.

[JT]

Are any of you guys using SaniClean?  I started using this instead of Star San because it does not foam up.  It is basically the same thing except you have to use a bit more of it than Star San.  I use it in the concentration of 11 ml per gallon of RO water (this is the concentration that Five Star recommended when I was brewing at Hoppin' Frog.  Your LHBS can order it for you.
Yes, it is an acid and will eventually attack metals but so does bleach.  You just don't want extended contact time.  If I remember correctly, contact time for SaniClean is 5 minutes.
Another sanitizing alternative.

Another use regarding Iodophor, some breweries pack their plate chillers with it between brew days which is not a bad idea.

SaniClean is my go to sanitizer.  I use it at the recommended strength to sanitize carboys and kegs (no rinse).  It does have a stronger odor but has not negatively impacted my beer. 

[JT]

This study is not any good. It tested the efficacy of sanitizers using a 1:10 concentration of sanitizer and contaminant. Of course they wont be effective at that rate. We don't use iodophor for that purpose. It isn't meant to be used that way. We use it as a surface sanitizer on clean surfaces, and for that purpose it is very effective.

So, as long as I don't sanitize with 1 part rinse-free iodophor and 10 parts pedio... I should be fine?

haha yup. Its like leaving half a gallon of pedio slurry in your corny keg then filling it with sanitizer and expecting it to work.

Wow.

[soymateofeo]

Oh damn.  i hate this.  i just started mixing up my sanitizers on Denny's advice and no more funky batches.  I will keep my contact times up to 20 mins with iodine.  My favorite sanitizer is heat when I can boil parts.

[erockrph]

I've been following this thread for a while, and I think the only useful thing I've picked up is that SaniClean can get the hops smell out of plastic. (Good tip, by the way)

[Robert]

I think we've also learned that the MBAA has a vacancy in the Technical Editor position.  Seriously, at least not to trust everything they promulgate. Which is disappointing,  because who else?

[denny]

I think we've also learned that the MBAA has a vacancy in the Technical Editor position.  Seriously, at least not to trust everything they promulgate. Which is disappointing,  because who else?

Trust yourself and your experience.