Ask The Brewmasters

I want to get opinions on what everyone is using for FV and BBT sanitation. We have used Iodophor for many years but am considering switching to PAA (specifically BioSide HS 15%) for multiple reasons. From my research, it seems to be more effective against common micro organisms found in a brewery setting and works better against food born pathogens. I know there was a study that came out in 2017 on the efficacy of sanitizers in brewery from Bell's Brewing and, at a "no-rinse" level of 25ppm, iodophor was not very effective. Any insight will help. Thanks.

We switched from Chlorine Dioxide to PAA at my last brewery and didn't notice any changes with regard to micro growth or quality. We were using San-O2-Gard, but I don't imagine you will see much difference if you are hitting the right concentration. I'll note that we were pasteurizing all packaged product but never had an infection prior to packaging that I can remember. If you are worried about it, you may be able to get a sample or enough to run some tests from your supplier Eco-Labs used to do this for us every now and then. That way you can run a few trials on different tanks and after different products, check your micro clearance and ATPs to make sure it meets your needs. 

I want to get opinions on what everyone is using for FV and BBT sanitation. We have used Iodophor for many years but am considering switching to PAA (specifically BioSide HS 15%) for multiple reasons. From my research, it seems to be more effective against common micro organisms found in a brewery setting and works better against food born pathogens. I know there was a study that came out in 2017 on the efficacy of sanitizers in brewery from Bell's Brewing and, at a "no-rinse" level of 25ppm, iodophor was not very effective. Any insight will help. Thanks.

I want to get opinions on what everyone is using for FV and BBT sanitation. We have used Iodophor for many years but am considering switching to PAA (specifically BioSide HS 15%) for multiple reasons. From my research, it seems to be more effective against common micro organisms found in a brewery setting and works better against food born pathogens. I know there was a study that came out in 2017 on the efficacy of sanitizers in brewery from Bell's Brewing and, at a "no-rinse" level of 25ppm, iodophor was not very effective. Any insight will help. Thanks.

We've been using Reflex which I believe is a PA and Nitric blend which combines the acid wash step and sanitize steps, is no rinse and doesn't react in CO2 rich environments (so you can sanitize Brites under pressure to save CO2). I love it.

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Jeff Lukasik
Owner/Brewer
Nostrovia Brewing Co
Erie PA

Original Message:
Sent: 09-11-2024 11:45
From: Andrew Sanderson
Subject: PAA vs Iodophor for SIP

I want to get opinions on what everyone is using for FV and BBT sanitation. We have used Iodophor for many years but am considering switching to PAA (specifically BioSide HS 15%) for multiple reasons. From my research, it seems to be more effective against common micro organisms found in a brewery setting and works better against food born pathogens. I know there was a study that came out in 2017 on the efficacy of sanitizers in brewery from Bell's Brewing and, at a "no-rinse" level of 25ppm, iodophor was not very effective. Any insight will help. Thanks.

I want to get opinions on what everyone is using for FV and BBT sanitation. We have used Iodophor for many years but am considering switching to PAA (specifically BioSide HS 15%) for multiple reasons. From my research, it seems to be more effective against common micro organisms found in a brewery setting and works better against food born pathogens. I know there was a study that came out in 2017 on the efficacy of sanitizers in brewery from Bell's Brewing and, at a "no-rinse" level of 25ppm, iodophor was not very effective. Any insight will help. Thanks.

Hi Andrew:

Peracetic Acid and Iodophor have about the same efficacy when it comes to beer spoilers.  Iodophors are more stable which is why many brewers used to use them for soaking parts in sanitizer after cleaning.  However, Iodine is much more corrosive on stainless steel than Peracetic Acid, especially when left unrinsed.  Halogen corrosion is common and back in the 90's, when most breweries still used Iodophors for sanitizing tanks, I came across a lot of headspace corrosion in tanks as well as overall halogen pitting.  As a general rule, I do not recommend using any sanitizer without a final rinse (just because you can does not mean you should) since stainless steel damage is almost guaranteed, even with Peracetic Acid.  However, should you choose to use your sanitizer without a final rinse, Peracetic Acid will break down into compounds naturally present in beer, namely acetate, water, and atomic oxygen.  It is important to note that the oxygen from the Peracetic Acid is the radical O-, not O2.  Therefore, you will not see an increase in TDO in your beer or long-term oxidation.  Instead, instantaneous oxidation takes place if you leave large amounts of PAA in your vessels and then fill them with beer.  You will be able to pick up this oxidation in a beer tasting panel within days.  Iodophors also have a devastating effect on head retention and can, in extreme cases, cause a medicinal off-flavor in beer.

I have not read the study from Bell's Brewing, but I assure you that fresh Iodophor at 25ppm is highly effective against beer spoiling organisms. I am saying fresh since Iodine like most halogens loses its efficacy over time.

In summary, I do not recommend using Iodophor for sanitizing tanks and other equipment since the halogen can easily cause halogen corrosion and pitting on 300 series stainless steel, especially if left unrinsed or overdosed.  Peracetic Acid is overall less corrosive and just as effective, less expensive, and does not cause negative effects in beer.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,      

I want to get opinions on what everyone is using for FV and BBT sanitation. We have used Iodophor for many years but am considering switching to PAA (specifically BioSide HS 15%) for multiple reasons. From my research, it seems to be more effective against common micro organisms found in a brewery setting and works better against food born pathogens. I know there was a study that came out in 2017 on the efficacy of sanitizers in brewery from Bell's Brewing and, at a "no-rinse" level of 25ppm, iodophor was not very effective. Any insight will help. Thanks.