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Rum or vodka
I didn't see an answer to this question in the forum any place, soI'll ask you guys your preference.
On some sites I've seen where some folks are using vodka or rum in a spray bottle to sterliize stoppers and for use in air locks. Also to soak spices in baby food jars, before pooring it into bottling buckett to clean up the batch.
If your using it to clean/sterilize would it be better to use 151 rum? I would use ever clear if it was just for sterilization, but it was outlawed in Ohio years ago.
You do you folks prefere, and how much does it effect flavor?
Marv.
Vodka or everclear works for me. I've seen brew-pubs that use isopropyl alcohol in spray bottle.
I've always used vodka in my airlocks, just in case. As far as soaking spices in it. I imagine that there would be so little vodka (compared to the 5 gallons of beer) that any change would be insignificant compared to the taste of the spices.
using vodka in the airlock is a good idea. it is more sterile than water. im not sure i understand what you mean about the spices, though.
If I happen to strongly dislike vodka and therefore had no reason to ever have a bottle in my house, would some bacardi 151 work just as well?
Thanks drogers thats pretty much it, I just don't like vodka.
So I assume, using rum wouldn't be any diffrent?
Marv.
I love a good beer, but I can never seem to push myself to buy good liquor so I always have an over abundance of cheap vodka around. Funny how that works.
Why do people here keep saying "sterilzing"? Are you performing open heart surgery? You only need to sanitize, not sterilize. Commercial breweries don't sterilize.
I have a spray bottle that I put some Star San into and fill the rest with water. Works just fine to SANITIZE my airlocks, blow off tubes, or whatever else I need it for.
count to 10, cubx. deep breath...
I use vodka...
and who in their right mind doesn't like Vodka? 
There is a big difference between sterilize and sanitize...I don't know about anyone else, but I don't have a clean room. 
vodka tends to make me wake up naked in places where i didn't go to sleep. there is, therefore, a self-imposed vodka ban in my household.
LMAO! Jamebow.
I personally would stay away from using alchol based cleaners to sanitize... home brew shops have a nice powder you could mix with water and use.... Probably a little safer too... as far as not getting any odd flavors.... TheJet
TheJet wrote:
I personally would stay away from using alchol based cleaners to sanitize... home brew shops have a nice powder you could mix with water and use.... Probably a little safer too... as far as not getting any odd flavors.... TheJet
I'm with TheJet on this one. I usually just use B-Brite or PBW to clean my stuff. Put in a couple of scoops, add water so you get a nice foam, let it sit for 15 mintues, dump and rinse. Never had an infection.
And I just add water to the airlock. I've never had an issue with the water getting sucked into the wort, but I have had the water get pushed out when I've had a really ripping primary fermentation.
For those of you that use vodka, does the vodka smell overpower the fermentation smell down at the airlock when the bubbles coming through?
DT
Anything that you use for cleaning your equipment should have absolutely no effect on the taste of your brew. I think the absolutely best thing for sanitizing is iodine. It is sold wherever you buy your homebrew supplies, it is pretty cheap (very cheap compared to liquor) and lasts a very very long time. So, for cleaning and sanitizing parts, I would not use anything else - for maximum sanitation AND economics.
As for liquid in the airlock, you need something. It can be plain water, BUT, since there is a possibility of some of it being sucked into the fermenter, and just because it is the only thing separating your vulnerable brew from all the nasties in the outside air, it is best to use something that will maintain the sanitation. One choice would be iodine solution or bleach, but, again, it might slip into your brew which would be bad. Therefore, many people use a liquor. Any strong liquor will work, because the alcohol content will kill anything nasty that tries to get in.
Many people use cheap vodka, it is clear, doesnt have added flavors or sugars, and therefore doesn't attract too many bugs. Rum may attract bugs because it is sweet.
I totally understand that you don't like vodka. But, you wouldn't be drinking it either. Go get the cheapest vodka on the shelf. If you want, start off with a small bottle of it. And use it only for this one thing. I have a bottle of vodka that is dedicated to using in the airlock. I consider it just one of the many tools needed for brewing.
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