CLEANING YOUR UNITANK
In simplest form, the basic principle of a vessel CIP (clean in place) is to recirculate a mixture of water
and cleaning agent from the bottom of the vessel up through the spray ball of the vessel using an
external pump in a continuous loop. This is accomplished by hooking up a hose from the trub dump
port to the inlet of the pump, and from the outlet of the pump to the CIP spray ball (spray ball sold
separately). This will allow you to pull uid from the cone of the tank and push it up through the spray
ball, where it will cascade down the inner walls of the vessel and collect back into the cone creating a
continuous loop.
Acid-based cleaners are best for removing hard water deposits, “beer stone” and other inorganic matter.
In many cases, the acid-based cleaning agent may be the same chemical you use to passivate (see
section on Passivation). While acid-based cleaners are generally used less often than alkaline-based
cleaners, it is important to set a routine schedule for cleaning with acid to keep the tanks polished and
passivated and heat-exchange surfaces free of fouling deposits.
Be sure to use EXTREME caution anytime you are working with chemicals, high temperatures,
and pressure. Improper CIP procedures can lead to property damage, bodily injury or even
death if not performed properly and with the utmost attention to safety!
Organic soil loads are most effectively cleaned using an alkaline cleaning agent. PBW (Powdered
Brewery Wash) has become the go-to cleaning product for many homebrewers. It is relatively safe to
use, and effective on light-medium soil loads. Professional breweries on the other hand tend to use
some type of non-chlorinated caustic for cleaning purposes. Caustic is far more powerful but must be
handled with EXTREME care, as exposure to skin can cause severe burns. It is important that the
caustic solution is non-chlorinated, as chlorine can cause pitting to stainless steel.
It is important to remember that cleaning and sanitizing are separate but equally important processes.
Before lling, you must sanitize your Unitank (and any lines or ttings that will come into contact with
your product) to ensure microbial stability of your product. StarSan has become quite popular amongst
the homebrew crowd based on its effectiveness and safety toward humans and the environment.
Saniclean, much like StarSan, is relatively safe, easy to use, and a low-foaming option compared to
StarSan which may be better for pump driven CIP’s. In the professional brewing industry, paracetic acid
tends to reign supreme as the chemical of choice. Paracetic acid, or PAA, is low-foaming, effective, and
relatively easy on the wallet. That said, PAA is much more dangerous chemical and must be handled
with care.
CLEANING AND SANITIZING: CIP
ACID-BASED CLEANSERS
ALKALINE-BASED CLEANSERS
SANITIZER
WARNING
Page 13
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