What is the best way to sanitize my equipment and still “brew organic”?
The most practical way is with a mild iodine solution. Iodine is a naturally occurring mineral that is non toxic in minute quantities. The amount used to make an effective sanitizer is about .1 oz. per gallon of water, or about 13 ppm, which will not leave any trace of flavor and smell in the finished beer. Iodine is also a mineral that the human body needs in minute quantities, which is why it is often added to table salt. It is rare, but some people have to avoid ingesting iodine. To avoid this, euipment may be rinsed with sterile water after sanitizing. Other alternatives for sanitizing include heat (boiling, or using an oven or autoclave), hydrogen peroxide (oxygen based, a more costly alternative), or a mild acid sanitizer such as 5-Star’s Star San Sanitizer.
