Cleaning Guide and Cleaning Detergents
Reading time: 3 minutes
Avoid infections and off-flavours in beer and learn which cleaners are most effective for which types of soiling!
Depending on their composition, the various cleaning agents are effective against different types of contamination.
Alkaline cleaners are in the pH range of 8-14 and are particularly effective against organic compounds such as fats, oils, proteins, sugar residues and resins.
Acidic cleaners have a pH range of 0-6 and are particularly effective against inorganic compounds such as limescale, rust and beer/tartar. Bacteria and yeasts are also combated as the acid dissolves their cell membranes.
The order of application plays a major role. The general rule is: first rinse, then clean, then disinfect.
The procedure for cleaning is therefore as follows:
- First rinse the appliance/system with warm water to remove any residue
- Then use an alkaline cleaner to dissolve adhering dirt such as grease or proteins to remove the breeding ground for bacteria, fungi and yeasts
- Now rinse again with clear water to avoid neutralisation of the alkaline and acidic cleaner
- Finally, the cleaned area is disinfected with an acidic cleaner to kill/inactivate organisms such as bacteria and viruses
Sinner's circle
Cleaning is essentially dependent on 4 factors. Time, mechanics, chemistry and temperature.
These factors are also known as the Sinner's circle. If one or two factors in the circle increase or decrease, the others also change. The influence of the individual factors depends on the desired cleaning objective and the equipment, systems and utensils to be cleaned.
Time describes the contact time. The longer the contact time of the cleaning agent, the easier it is to remove the dirt. This means that less cleaning agent is needed and less mechanical action is required.
Mechanics describes the force required to loosen soiling. Using the example of a brush, mechanics is made up of the scrubbing action of the bristles, the contact pressure and the frequency of the movement. This means that less pressure is required for a greater scrubbing action, but care must be taken not to scratch the surface.
Chemistry is the chosen cleaning medium. As the other three factors cannot be increased infinitely, it is very important to choose the right cleaning agent for the type of soiling. In the overview table you will find which cleaner is best suited for which type of soiling.
Temperature is a very important factor in dissolving soiling. Basically, the warmer the water, the faster the molecules move. This means that the molecules hit the dirt particles faster, or more firmly, and therefore dissolve them better. In addition, bacteria/viruses are better killed/inactivated by hot water. ! No cleaning agent must/should be heated above 70 °C. There are various dangers here, such as boiling delay or burns!
Overview
Alkaline cleaners | Acidic cleaners | Neutral surfactant cleaners | Enzyme-based cleaners | Oxidative cleaners | |
Use for | Removal of organic compounds such as hop resins, sugar residues and protein residues | Removal of inorganic compounds such as limescale residues and beer scale | For the removal of grease | For coarse impurities, beer stone or hop resins | For removing discolouration, odours and light soiling |
for example | Puro Caustic or PBW | Puro San, OxyDes Rapid | Soap | Enzybrew 10 | Puro Oxi |
!!! NEVER mix a cleaner containing chlorine with an acidic cleaner, otherwise chlorine gas will be produced. Ensure sufficient rinsing with water between cleaning steps !!!
When using cleaning agents, always think about your health first! Most cleaning agents are corrosive and are very irritating to the skin on contact. Sufficient protective equipment, consisting at least of safety goggles and liquid-impermeable gloves, should always be worn!
Cleaning detergents
Puro Oxi (oxidative cleaner)
Area of application: Bottles and lightly soiled materials
Application: 4g/L at 60 °C for 5 minutes contact time
Pour Puro Oxi into the bottle and slowly fill the bottle with warm water. Caution! The solution will foam in the bottle.
The bottles do not need to be washed out, but this is recommended.
For surfaces and appliances, leave the suspension to work for 5-60 min.
then rinse off. By mechanical cleaning e.g. With a brush
brush improves cleaning and considerably shortens the contact time.
Active ingredients: active oxygen, sodium percarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium olefin sulphonate
Puro Caustic (alkaline cleaner)
Area of application: heavily soiled brewing materials or bottles
Application: 1g/L at 60°C for 5-60 min depending on the degree of soiling
Pour Puro Caustic into the bottle, slowly fill the bottle with warm water. Caution! The solution will foam in the bottle. Rinse the bottle well afterwards.
For surfaces and appliances, leave the solution to work for 60 to 180 minutes and then rinse well. Mechanical cleaning, e.g. with a brush, improves cleaning. Mechanical cleaning, e.g. with a brush, improves cleaning and considerably reduces the contact time.
Active ingredient: Active chlorine, sodium hydroxide, complexing agent, silicates
Puro San (acidic cleaner)
Area of application: Tanks and equipment
Application: 15-25ml/L for 60 seconds
Best used after thorough cleaning with an alkaline cleaner. Apply Puro San to the surface with a sponge, cloth or spray bottle and leave to work for 60 seconds. Subsequent mechanical cleaning with a sponge or brush improves the cleaning performance. Rinse PuroSan well with clear water after the exposure time.
! Do not mix with cleaners containing chlorine, otherwise chlorine gas will be produced!
! Not suitable for CIP systems and soft metals such as aluminium or copper!
Active ingredient: phosphoric acid, benzosulfonic acid
Ecolab OxyDes Rapid (acidic cleaner)
Area of application: Tanks and equipment
OxyDes Rapid is a surface disinfectant that is effective against bacteria and yeasts.
Application: Intermediate cleaner
When used undiluted, leave to act for 5 minutes and spray at a distance of approx. 30 cm from the surface. Rinsing with water is not necessary.
Active ingredient: hydrogen peroxide, propane 1-ol, phosphoric acid
Ecolab P3-alcodes & CMT Spray-Away (alcoholic disinfectant)
Area of application: Tanks, equipment and materials that have already been cleaned
Effective against bacteria, yeasts and fungi.
Application: Spray undiluted onto materials/surfaces and leave to act for a few minutes. Very fast air drying, subsequent rinsing with water is not necessary.
Active ingredient: ethanol, propane -2- ol
Enzybrew10 (enzyme-based cleaner)
Area of application: Systems, hoses, filter plates and CIP systems
Effectively removes organic compounds such as hop residues, starch or sugar.
Application: 5 to 10 g/L for 30 minutes, depending on the degree of soiling
Dissolve the powder in warm water at 45 to 60 °C and wet the surface to be cleaned. Rinse the surface with water and then disinfect the surface as usual. A dosage of 10 g/L is recommended in CIP systems.
Active ingredient: sodium percarbonate, sodium carbonate, cellulose, subtilisin
-Jan Dubenkropp