10 replies to this topic

[shmgeggie]

I have 2 sponges dedicated to brewing. One I use in the iodophor solution and the other I use in the PLC solution for cleaning. I started using sponges 'cause that's what the instruction from my LHBS said to use. But the last sponges I got from the grocery store are disintegrating already and they leave bits behind in the cleaning and sanitizing buckets. What do y'all use to wipe stuff down? Sponges? Washcloths? Sham-Wow!? Other? Is there a good place to buy good quality sponges that won't disintegrate? This is kind of a cheezy topic but I've never seen it discussed before. Maybe we can turn it into an epic soak -vs- wipe flame war.

[BarelyBrews]

I bought some nice size washcloths that i use just for brewing.

[strangebrewer]

I get the econo-packs of the green scotch-brite pads. They work great for light duty scrubbing which is all I usually need in the brewery.

[jammer]

I clean as I use stuff, so I really have no need for scrubbing. If needed, ill soak in the Oxyclean or something like that. Once in a great while, ill use a scrubby on the bottom of my brew kettle, but thats pretty rare. For wiping, I have several towels of questionable quality that I use on brewday, wiping things down as I go.

[BlKtRe]

I use the synthetic chamois. Use them with BKF on all SS and PBW on all plastic. Works great and no worries about scratching.

[Deerslyr]

If I neglect equipment, I soak it in Oxyclean for a few days and then use a Bounty Paper Towel. That stuff is like a cloth and it doesn't scratch anything. It holds up like a champ and you really only need to fold a couple together to get a really good, disposable towel.

[SnailPowered]

While I have never brewed anything and have therefore not yet cleaned my first piece of brew equipment has anyone tried a Shop Towel? They are kind of pricey but one will last for quite a while. Just a thought!

[mikebrad]

i only scrub one thing and that is my conical which i use a green scotch pad on. everything else soaks in onestep/pbw/oxyclean.

[ncbeerbrewer]

I clean as I use stuff, so I really have no need for scrubbing. If needed, ill soak in the Oxyclean or something like that. Once in a great while, ill use a scrubby on the bottom of my brew kettle, but thats pretty rare. For wiping, I have several towels of questionable quality that I use on brewday, wiping things down as I go.

+1

[MolBasser]

Are you sponge worthy?MolBasser

[DigitalTaper]

Sponges are the #1 source of bacteria in a kitchen. For that reason and the fact bits of them tend to come off if you scrape them on an edge, I choose not to use them. I'm a fan of wash cloths and towels. After a brew day they go right in with the next load of laundry. I have a medium size towel that I use to cover my kettle during cooling. I'll throw this towel in my Starsan bucket at knockout, once I get below DMS temps I'll ring the crap out of it and cover the opening of the kettle. After the kettle is emptied it gets used to wipe the hop/protien ring and bottom of the kettle down. This method has worked great for me.