Young's Cleaner/Steriliser is a fast-acting powder steriliser for all home brewing and wine making equipment. Thorough sterilisation of all equipment before each brew is the single most important step in home brewing — contamination from bacteria is the primary cause of spoiled batches, and this steriliser makes the process quick and reliable.
Simply dissolve in water, use the solution to coat all surfaces of your equipment, leave for approximately 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. One pack treats multiple sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much steriliser do I need per session?
- Dissolve approximately one teaspoon (5g) per litre of water. For a full fermentation vessel, mix up 5–10 litres of solution, swirl it thoroughly around all surfaces, drain, and rinse. A 100g pack gives you approximately 10–15 full sterilising sessions.
- Do I need to rinse after sterilising?
- Yes — rinse all equipment thoroughly with clean water after sterilising. While the steriliser is effective at low concentrations, any residue left in contact with your yeast can inhibit or kill it. Two thorough rinses with clean tap water is sufficient.
- How long do I need to leave the steriliser in contact with equipment?
- A minimum of 10 minutes contact time is recommended for full sterilisation. For equipment with heavy residue or that has been stored for a while, extend to 20–30 minutes and use a bottle brush to scrub any deposits before sterilising.
- Can I use Young's Steriliser on all my equipment?
- Yes — it's safe for use on plastic fermenters, glass bottles, siphons, airlocks, hydrometers, spoons, and all other home brewing equipment. Avoid contact with metal parts over extended periods as it can cause oxidation.
- What's the difference between Young's Steriliser and VWP?
- Both are effective powder sterilisers for home brewing. Young's Steriliser is a chlorine-based formula that works quickly and is very widely used. VWP is a percarbonate-based cleaner/steriliser that is particularly effective at removing stubborn deposits and stains. Both require thorough rinsing after use.