Sodium hydrooxide solution - surface and SS sanitation

[Tomer1]

Whats the solution concentration (i'l be prepering from palets) and contact time needed?  I cant seem to find exact figures.
Im trying to move away from using bleach.

Thanks  :D

[linuxboy]

You want to sanitize with it? As a bleach substitute, that's what the post suggests...

It's a little unusual, most often caustic is for cleaning and removing deposits, followed by rinse and then sanitizer. usage depends on soil level, starting with a teaspoon per 5 gal bucket.

[Boofer]

Why not use Star-San? Maybe a bit less dangerous, yet still effective?

-Boofer-

[linuxboy]

Depends on the threat vector. Star San doesn't work too well for listeria, for example.

[Tomer1]

Pav, I know naoh is useful at removing fat deposits (saponification),
Your saying that iss not useful as a sanitizer?    1 tbp in 5 gallons seems like awefully weak solution.
Any other suggestions then?  I would go with perhaps an iodophor product but these only sell in 20 liter drums...

Boofer, I dont have access to such no rinse products.

[linuxboy]

when I use caustic, I use a strong caustic and do a longer rinse/soak. But, my equipment never builds up huge deposits. Generally, I prefer a percarbonate+ carbonate mix over caustic for washing.

You don't need very much if you use it as a longer soak. It's not that much, but think about what you're doing. Just like you said, saponification and other action of OH- ions. You don't need a huge amount, better to use time + smaller amt.

It does work as a sanitizer, but it's overall more effective when doing caustic to use that plus acid wash. Reason is that acid wash will catch anything else, and will leave it more friendly to food.

Iodophor at 25 ppm works great. Maybe you can get some from a brewery or dairy?

[linuxboy]

Wait, Tomer, why not bleach? TCA taint? at 200 ppm, works well.

[Tomer1]

Yep, I sometimes use the 30L hdpe drum (which I transport milk in) as an extra fermenter or for holding racked wine.

I read something about 3% (w/w) hot (above 50c) naoh solution for 10 min contact time as an effective sanitizer , is this in the ball park?

I wash my pot stright after make so there are hardly any deposits or salts, detergant is usually enough.