Sanitation has been stressed in other areas, Sanitize and Rinse every piece of equipment im-mead-iately before use.
I sanitize with a strong Solution of Potassium-Metabisulfite (k-meta, 15-30 seconds of contact kills most micro organisms). I then rince out the k-meta with tap water and use the item. I make up 1 gallon water with 2 oz k-meta and store in a plastic jug. The solution is reusable, i make up a new batch about every other month, so each batch typically sanitizes 2-4 carbours, 2-4 primary buckets, and my tools (stirer, wine thief, laddle, siphon tube, racking cane, bottling wand) several times.
Racking example In Case you need the visual.
I pour the 1 gallon solution into the carboy, let it sit on the botom for 30 seconds, lay carbouy on side and slowly roll the carboy in stages allowing the k meta to sit for 20-30 seconds on the surface under water, about three circuits of this. I then Cover the opening with my hand and swirl the the carboy for 45 seconds to a minute. Pour soulution back into my k-meta jug, rinse the carboy with tap water, empty, set on floor.
Sterilize the racking cane and tube I have a 1 gallon glass Pickle that i use for this, Fill jar 2/3 of the way immerse items to be sterilized (Stoppers, Airlocks, Tubing) something long like the racking tube reqires special attention to the outside, siphoning K-meta and then water with it will get the inside of the tube and cane. I can get the top of my Racking tube in my Pickle jar, leaving about 4 inches in the middle i need to do by hand, YMMV
I sanitize with a strong Solution of Potassium-Metabisulfite (k-meta, 15-30 seconds of contact kills most micro organisms). I then rince out the k-meta with tap water and use the item. I make up 1 gallon water with 2 oz k-meta and store in a plastic jug. The solution is reusable, i make up a new batch about every other month, so each batch typically sanitizes 2-4 carbours, 2-4 primary buckets, and my tools (stirer, wine thief, laddle, siphon tube, racking cane, bottling wand) several times.
Racking example In Case you need the visual.
I pour the 1 gallon solution into the carboy, let it sit on the botom for 30 seconds, lay carbouy on side and slowly roll the carboy in stages allowing the k meta to sit for 20-30 seconds on the surface under water, about three circuits of this. I then Cover the opening with my hand and swirl the the carboy for 45 seconds to a minute. Pour soulution back into my k-meta jug, rinse the carboy with tap water, empty, set on floor.
Sterilize the racking cane and tube I have a 1 gallon glass Pickle that i use for this, Fill jar 2/3 of the way immerse items to be sterilized (Stoppers, Airlocks, Tubing) something long like the racking tube reqires special attention to the outside, siphoning K-meta and then water with it will get the inside of the tube and cane. I can get the top of my Racking tube in my Pickle jar, leaving about 4 inches in the middle i need to do by hand, YMMV
