Have I sterilised enough?

[Scotty]

I've just started to ferment my first ever attempts of homebrew. One being a lager and the a other bitter.

I think I might have made a mistake in mixing one batch and then the other without further cleaning......

Also, how do you guys store your equipment from initial sterilisation to finishing your mixing?

Thanks
Scotty

[Jim]

As long as your mixer was sterilised in the first place you won't have caused a problem by using it to mix 2 different batches.

I generally leave my stuff soaking in sanitiser until I need them, then rinse them thoroughly (usually five times for chlorine-based sanitisers) and use them straight away. Once you sterilise and rinse, you must keep items such as spoons off kitchen benches etc otherwise they can pick up more bugs.

[Scotty]

cheers Jim,

I remember placing my mixer on the bench then giving it a wash then used it to stir after adding the yeast. Should I dispose of both batches or wait until bottled and hope for the best?

Thanks

[Horden Hillbilly]

If your brew goes "off", it will be obvious by the foul, vinegary smell from it. If it smells like beer, it is ok.

[Scotty]

without sounding like an idiot, when should I notice the vinegar smell?

[Horden Hillbilly]

If your brew is infected, the smell would be obvious by now. Go & give it a quick sniff & put your mind at rest. I see in your previous post that you washed your mixer before using it to stir in your yeast. As long as it was sterilised in the 1st place, my instincts tell me that your brew should be ok this time.

[Scotty]

just had a quick sniff (I know it's early morning!) and it seems fine, although it looks nothing like the picture of 12-24hrs on this page (http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/kits.htm) and it's been 36hrs now

[Parva]

just had a quick sniff (I know it's early morning!) and it seems fine, although it looks nothing like the picture of 12-24hrs on this page (http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/kits.htm) and it's been 36hrs now

They only tend to look like that 24 hours or so after chucking the yeast in. The head then drops back but fermentation continues. What you are seeing is perfectly normal.