Cleaning and Sanitizing - The Essentials
Why cleanliness is the most important factor in brewing. What products you need and how to use them correctly.
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Cleaning and Sanitizing - The Essentials
"Relax, don't worry, have a homebrew" - but only if everything is clean! Infections are the most common reason for failed batches.
Cleaning vs. Sanitizing
Cleaning: Removes dirt, grease, organic residue
Sanitizing: Kills microorganisms
Clean first, then sanitize - this order is important!
Cleaning Products
PBW (Powdered Brewery Wash)
OxiClean / Sodium Percarbonate
Dish Soap
Sanitizers
StarSan
Chemipro Oxi
Alcohol (70%)
What Needs Sanitizing?
After boiling - EVERYTHING touching beer:
Before boiling:
My Routine
Common Mistakes
Tips
Cleanliness isn't rocket science, but it's the difference between good beer and drain pour!
Next Steps
With clean equipment, you're ready to brew! Check out our guide Brewing Your First Beer or create a recipe directly with our AI recipe generator. The generator considers your equipment and creates a perfect recipe in seconds.