The+Chemistry+of+Brewing+Beer

Though there are many parts of the brewing process that involve chemistry it really all starts with the preparation; first and foremost with the cleaning of the brewing equipment.


 * CLEANERS:**


 * Household Cleaners:** Though you can use regular detergents they should be used with caution due to the perfume that can be absorbed onto the plastic of the equipment and released back into the beer. However, detergents that contain phosphates generally rinse easier than those without, but seeing as phosphates are pollutants, they are generally not used in most household products. Ivory as an unscented dishwashing detergent is a generally safe choice for most of the routine equipment cleaning.


 * Bleach:** Bleach is also good a good and versatile cleaner that the homebrewer can use. When bleach is dissolved in cold water it forms a caustic solution that is highly efficient at breaking up organic compounds such as deposits of food and brewing build-up; because bleach is an aqueous solution of chlorine, chlorides and hypochlorites it is these chemical agents that contribute to its bacterial cleaning power. But, these agents are also corrosive, most especially to copper (it causes blackening and excessive corrosion) though bleach may be used to clean stainless steel so long as corrosion and pitting prevention measures are taken.

It is important to ***Note:** percarbonate cleaners will often throw a chalky haze on surfaces in hard water if they are left sitting for several days, which can only be removed with an acid rinse or acidic cleaner such as CLR from Jelmar.
 * Percarbonates:** Other common cleaning products that are useful to the homebrewer are Percarbonates such as: Sodium percarbonate (e.g. OxyClean) which is sodium carbonate (e.g. Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda) reacted with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Percarbonates are great for the homebrewer because they are effective on all types of brewing equipment and they rinse easily. There are several percarbonates approved by the Food & Drug administration as cleaners for food-manufacturing facilities though they should all be used according to the manufacturer's instructions. For the avid homebrewer percarbonates are the best choice for equipment cleaning, most especially PBW (Powder Brewery Wash) from 5 Star Chemicals and Straight-A from Logic. these products combine the percarbonate with sodium metasilicate - which increases its effectiveness on proteins and prevents the corrosion of metals, like copper and aluminum, that strong alkaline solutions can cause.

Using automatic dishwashers is a popular idea used for cleaning some equipment and bottles, though there are a few limitations.


 * Oven Cleaner:** Every so often a homebrewer will scorch the bottom of their brewpots leaving a black, burned deposit that is difficult to remove. The easiest remedy for this is to apply oven cleaner to dissolve the stain, then rise thoroughly to prevent subsequent corrosion of the metal. Though, this is generally the only situation where you would have to use oven cleaner because usually the percarbonate cleaners should be all that is needed. Though, if you do need to use oven cleaner spray on oven cleaner is the safest way to use sodium hydroxide, commonly known as Iye. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is the caustic main ingredient of most heavy-duty cleaners such as oven and drain cleaners; postassium hydroxide (KOH) is also commonly used. Though, even in moderate concentrations, these chemicals are very hazardous to skin and should only be used when wearing rubber gloves and goggle-type eye protection. vinegar is useful for neutralizing sodium hydroxide that gets on your skin because if sodium hydroxide gets in your eyes it could cause severe burns or blindness. Caustic can cause a lot of damage to skin without much pain (at first). There is a slippery feeling which is the oils and lipids in your skin turning into soap. Sodium hydroxide is very corrosive to aluminum and brass, copper and stainless steel are generally resistant. Pure sodium hydroxide should not be used to clean aluminium brewpots, because the high pH causes the dissolution of the protective oxides, and a subsequent batch of beer might have a metallic taste. Oven cleaner should not affect aluminum adversely, if it is used properly.