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1-Step Cleaner

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PitBull

PitBull

NewBee
Registered Member
Nov 25, 2009
640
4
0
Pittsburgh, PA
THawk said:
Is this a cleanser or a sanitizer/sterilizer or both?

The label has it as a cleanser, but the NewBee guide has it listed as "sanitize" as opposed to just "clean".
Click to expand...
It is a cleanser. To be classified as a sanitizer, vigorous testing and certification is required. Sanitation is probably the most important step in producing good wine/mead. That being said, I have made numerous batches without using anything actually labeled “sanitizer. I made sure my carboys were cleaned and rinsed after they are used. Then I cleaned them with warm soapy water and a carboy brush before their next use. Then I used a one-step cleanser, and then a final rinse with clean water.

I have finally purchased my first iodine-based sanitizer, but I don’t think its going to make a lot of difference. It’s just an extra layer of protection (perhaps overkill) for already very clean carboys.
 
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mmclean

mmclean

Honey Master
Registered Member
Jul 22, 2010
1,135
2
38
Tennessee Valley
I've made ten batches in the last year using LD Carlson Easy Clean (same as 1 step) as cleanser and sanitizer. So far no problems. :)
 
T

THawk

Crazy Martian Cat
GotMead Patron
Mar 15, 2011
637
2
0
On one of 7000+ islands in the Pacific
Well, I can get bleach in large quantities for next to nothing, but the reason why I got 1-step was because it was environmentally friendly...

I was planning to just fill my bucket, drop in the required amount of 1-step (1 tbsp/gallon) and soak my stuff for the required 2 minutes (after washing them, of course). Am I being too simplistic here?
 
PitBull

PitBull

NewBee
Registered Member
Nov 25, 2009
640
4
0
Pittsburgh, PA
THawk said:
Well, I can get bleach in large quantities for next to nothing, but the reason why I got 1-step was because it was environmentally friendly...

I was planning to just fill my bucket, drop in the required amount of 1-step (1 tbsp/gallon) and soak my stuff for the required 2 minutes (after washing them, of course). Am I being too simplistic here?
Click to expand...
That two minutes only works if the fermenter is already relatively clean. If you have some build-up, You'll need some soap and elbow grease first, and then I'd increase the contact time.
 
C

commonsenseman

Worker Bee
Registered Member
Mar 23, 2011
150
0
16
I use StarSan because it's highly recommended, no-rinse, easy to use, & cheap. I just fill up a spray bottle with the mixture & spray it on everything before I use it, 100% safe & very effective. The main advantage I've found over one-step or easy-clean is that StarSan is a liquid, so no chunks & it stays mixed together in the spray bottle.

To each his own.
 
Medsen Fey

Medsen Fey

Fuselier since 2007
Premium Patron
May 23, 2007
9,004
53
48
Fusel Shack, in the swamp west of Ft. Lauderdale
THawk said:
Well, I can get bleach in large quantities for next to nothing, but the reason why I got 1-step was because it was environmentally friendly...
Click to expand...

I avoid bleach.
The tropics tend to have plenty of mold. Mold exposed to chlorine can produce TCA. Your mead/wine can be ruined by TCA formed across the room. So unless your brewing area has no wood, cardboard, plywood or any other mold harboring materials anywhere in the vicinity, I'd recommend using non-bleach products.
 
oldwhiskers

oldwhiskers

NewBee
Registered Member
Jan 10, 2011
65
0
0
Tennessee
I have been using One Step but have been think of changing to LD Carlson Easy Clean since it is nearly half as much as One Step.
 
B

Braxton

NewBee
Registered Member
Sep 29, 2010
188
1
0
Twin Cities
Easy Clean is basically a knock off of one step, they are chemically and practically very close. I've never had issues with either one. Though they are technically not classified as a sanitizer, most homebrewers use it for this purpose and it seems to work well. An iodine or acid based sanitizer, such as Iodophor or Star San, is theoretically more effective. These types of sanitizer can also be saved and reused, while one-step or easy clean will lose its effectiveness after just a couple of hours.

As a cleaner, One-Step and Easy Clean are not very effective when compared to other cleaners such as PBW.

Hope that helps!
 
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