One Step Sanitizer
Hello Brewers! I've got a question about the cleaner I've been using for my homebrew gearstuffs. I've been using "One Step" no rinse cleaner for a long time now. It says that it "cleans with oxygen". It does not say on the packaging or at the company's website what the actual chemical in this item is. I am wondering if it is the same as the other oxygen cleaners that are so popular these days at the store. The store bought varieties are all the same chemical composition, sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate. Does anyone know what is in the "One Step"? They look very similar in consistency to the eye. Thanks!
hi Bryson,
I'm not sure what the chemicals in one step are but I have been using as a sanitizer for years with no problems. I recently received this from the Northern Brewer.com Home Brew News mailing "One-step: One-step releases oxygen into solution in a way that
forms hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria and other
infectious organisms. Hydrogen peroxide then degrades into water
and oxygen and the only residue is a thin film of minerals that are
naturally found in most water supplies. One-step is not labeled
as a sanitizer because the producer has not chosen to apply with
the FDA for that designation. One step is mixed at one tbsp. per
gallon of warm water. One-step should not be used with hard water
(over 200ppm total hardness). One step has no listed contact time,
but in our experience 2 minutes is effective." Hopr it helps.
good luck,
I have no idea but I would rather buy the recommended cleaners (known to work) from the brewshops , then try a different one and contaminate a batch myself...
good luck,
I have used One Step for all my batches, & it was recommended to me by the owner of my local homebrew shop. Never had a problem with sanitation at all, & the only downside that I have noticed it that prolonged contact can leave a white residue on your equipment.
Normally though, it is no rinse, so I keep a bowl/pot of One Step solution handy when doing things like chilling wort. Makes it super easy to take the temperature, then drop the thermometer into the solution so it stays clean.
I recommend it!
Never used one step and also these cleaners too!
I also use a one-step solution, although if you want something cheaper, you can always use bleach and water, although you definitely have to rinse that. 
Why would you want to replace the sanitizer with one of these commercial cleaners?
I've used Onestep before, but I'm still dubious about the claim that you don't need to rinse it, especially since I've noticed spots left behind. I always give it a good spray of tap water before using the equipment, but I'm just paranoid.
All right, I know some of you out there are thinking it so I am going to say it: Store bought sanitizers are overrated. I have always used boiling water, or white vinegar and hot water, or a herbal antibacterial solution of water and tea tree essential oil or lavender essential oil, and I have never, ever had a batch go moldy or anything. I usually clean my supplies both before and after brewing, except sometimes I leave a small amount in the fermenter to use as starter for my next batch.
"One-Step" uses sodium percarbonate (which becomes hydrogen peroxide in water), mixed with sodium silicate (to make the water alkaline). From what I've gathered, cleaners like Oxy-clean & Oxyboost work by loosening up the molecular bonds of beer crud.
It doesn't need to be rinsed (breaks down harmlessly in beer), and, compared to bleach, it's non-toxic and non-corrosive. No rinse means no contact with potentially contaminated tap water.
The disadvantage is, as a mild disinfectant, One-Step doesn't sanitize as effectively as Iodophor or chlorine bleach. But, since I started using One-Step to clean (with a brush) and Iodophor to sanitize, over the years I've never had a problem with crusty equipment or infection/contamination.
Great link for "oxygen" cleaner info:
http://www.laundry-alternative.com/Oxyg … earch.html
Cheers
I use Iodophor, an Iodine-based sanitizer. I just add some of it to water. I've been using it for years. It doesn't seem to affect the flavor of the beer. I even soak the caps in it before capping the bottles.
And to sanitize my beer bottles, I just run them through the dishwasher, with NO SOAP, and let the hot water sanitize the bottles. This has worked for me for 7 years now, without a single infection.