Homebrewing Product Review
B-T- F Iodophore
The simplest thing that any brewer can do to ensure that the batch of beer they are making will turn out well is to properly sanitize their equipment and bottles. While I doubt that many brewers would get recognition for their sanitization if their beer turns out well, but make one bad batch of beer because of improper sanitization and everyone will notice. Either that, or the batch may be dumped down the drain rather than drink the insipid brew. I know, I’ve been there, done that. That was early in my brewing hobby, and fortunately (because of much better technique and practices) that has not happened in over ten years.
There are many different ways to sanitize your equipment, some more reliable and with fewer drawbacks than others. I’ve tried bleach, metabisulfides, boiling, and have finally settled on B-T-F Iodophore sanitizer. It is manufactured by National Chemicals, Inc., and should be available at your local home brew supply store.
I should say at this point that Beertobrew neither seeks nor receives any compensation or consideration of any kind for any of the products reviewed here. The opinions expressed here are strictly those of B2B. Basically, we try stuff and give our own opinions.
Iodophore is an iodine based solution that is effective at sanitizing your brewing equipment when used appropriately. By its own label, it is intended for use in bars, restaurants, hotels, schools, and institutions. It is commercially well proven.
It is commonly available in several different sizes, from 4 oz. to 33 oz, and a little bit goes a long way. The recommended useage rate is 3ml per gallon. This works out to about 2 gallons per teaspoon, or about 40 gallons per 4 oz container. The solution should be added to cool or luke warn water, and is not intended to be used with hot water. When added in the correct amount, the water turns amber in color. As long as the water is this amber color, the sanitizer is still working. The visual reference is very handy. A recommended minimum soak time of 2 minutes (up to 30 minutes as noted in other references) is all that is needed to be effective. After that, just let the object air dry, rinsing is not necessary or recommended. For all the time I have been using it, I have never noticed any off flavors or smell to my beer. That’s good.
When cleaning my bottles, I fill about 2-3 gallons of water in my Ale Pale, then add the Iodophore. This allows me to sanitize the bottles as well as the Ale Pale. I fill the bottles completely and allow them to soak in the solution for 2-5 minutes, then drain them and place them on the bottle tree. One dose is enough to clean 50 bottles, the Ale Pale, stirrer, tubing, and anything else that may come into contact with the wort.
Its easy, its effective, it lasts a long time, what is not to like? Well, yes, it does have it’s downside. It tends to give plastic a permanent yellow tint if used often enough. You might not notice after the first use, but eventually it will happen. My plastic tubing seems most susceptible to discoloration. It doesn’t seem to hurt anything, but it does make things look…old. Aside from the plastic ware, it also tends to stain the contertop, although not permanently. The directions on the bottle indicate to use the bottle cap as a measuring device. This is fine, however if you don’t rinse the cap after measuring, then the excess liquid will drain down the side of the bottle. Even just pouring the solution can have the same effect. I always rinse and dry off the bottle thoroughly after every use.
Aside from being messy, the stuff works, and that is what I am really looking for. Plan ahead, clean the container, and put it away upright. You shouldn’t have any real problems. The best part is having peace of mind that your beer will be fresh tasting. (Providing that everything else has been done right.)