How to Clean Your Brewing Equipment Like a Pro

Thorough cleaning is essential for successful beer brewing. It is the key to a flavorful end product while also preserving your brewing equipment. In this guide, we will explore important considerations and suitable products for cleaning brewing equipment.

Cleaning and disinfecting brewing equipment, kegs, and bottles!

For most people, this may not be the most enjoyable part of the brewing process, but cleaning is essential to achieving good beer quality and long-term functional brewing equipment. With the right equipment and knowledge, cleaning is easy and done in no time. The cleaning process can be roughly divided into two parts: cleaning (of course) and sanitizing.

Cleaning vs. Disinfecting

Cleaning involves the traditional washing process that removes all dirt and residues of hops, malt, etc. Once the brewing equipment has been cleaned, it can then be disinfected. Disinfection ensures that the treated surfaces are free of harmful bacteria and microorganisms that could otherwise interfere with the brewing process and affect the taste of the beer.

Cleaning and disinfection equipment

Cleaning agent
We recommend Chemclean , a specially developed detergent from Ølbryggin.no. This agent effectively dissolves sediments in a short time, requiring only light washing and rinsing.

Disinfectant
We recommend Chemsan , another specially formulated product from Ølbrygging.no. Chemsan disinfects surfaces in under a minute and does not require rinsing.

Sponge
With the appropriate cleaning agent, a sponge will be sufficient to thoroughly remove dirt and residue without scratching the equipment.

Bottle brush and bottle rinser (recommended)
For cleaning beer bottles, we recommend using a bottle brush and bottle tilter to save time when bottling.

Barrel washer (recommended)
For cleaning cornelius barrels and fermentation tanks, we recommend the Bucket Blaster , which easily removes dirt inside the barrel with a powerful nozzle.

Cleaning fluid (recommended)
For those who use bottling lines, we recommend Pipeline as the market's smartest and most effective cleaning fluid.**

Disinfection of brewing equipment, kegs and bottles
Once your equipment is cleaned, it’s time to sanitize. This step is only necessary before using your brewing equipment and not as part of your post-brew cleaning. Since you’ve been thorough with your cleaning (right?), sanitizing is a relatively simple process.

We recommend Chemsan , a specially formulated disinfectant developed for Ølbrygging.no to our customers. In order for Chemsan to do its job effectively, all surfaces should be in contact with the agent for approx. 1 minute. This can be done by dipping the equipment or spraying what you are going to disinfect.

After sanitizing and removing excess Chemsan , foam may form in fermentation vessels, ball valves and bottle spouts. Don't be afraid of the foam! Chemsan does not affect the taste of the beer or the fermentation process. Therefore, there is no need to rinse the sanitized equipment or worry about any Chemsan dripping into the wort. The important thing is to make sure that all surfaces that will come into contact with beer, wort and other ingredients are sanitized with Chemsan first.

Tips and tricks for disinfection
Keep a spray bottle and a spare fermentation vessel with Chemsan within reach during brewing and bottling for easy soaking and spraying of all equipment. For hassle-free bottling, thoroughly wash all bottles with Chemsan in a bottle tilter before allowing them to dry on a bottle rack, ready for use. For even easier bottling, keep a small bowl of Chemsan handy where corks can rest before placing them on the bottles. Cleaning your brewing equipment may not be the most exciting part of brewing beer, but these tips will make it easier. Take your time, be careful, and let the motivation from previous brews drive you forward if necessary.

Wishing you good brewing and remember, don't be afraid of the foam and leave the steel wool behind – Good luck!**