A few weeks ago I went to get my syphon tube and there was some mold growing inside it. I soaked it in warm water and oxi cleaner for an hour and gave the tube a squeeze where the mold was. I eventually got it off but it was a PITA :(
I went to get it again this weekend and there was a spider and a cocoon inside the tube. I ended up cutting a few inches off the end and chucking it away (after I failed to wash the bitch and her evil spawn out :-X ).
I think I'm having these problems because it's very difficult to dry the inside of the silicon tube when I'm finished washing it. This time I went outside and swung the tube around my head like a mad rodeo cowboy and this managed to get a lot of the water out but there were still small drops left.
Is there any way I can store the tube in water or will the water just go stagnant over time? I think my vinegar/water/bleach sanitizer would go off over time if I used it for long term soaking? I'm also thinking of hanging the hoses up on the wall so they can drip dry.
Does anyone use a beer line brush like this one (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00143YMG0)?
Any tips appreciated :)
I tend to soak mine in VWP before use, they don't tend to get mouldy on me which is a good thing, but I've often seen mineral deposits and water marks that a good soak removes.
anyone know if silicone tubing can be pressure cooked to sterilise and kill mold spores?
challenge accepted garry
Ok, I just made this and it sems to work a treat.
(http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/tt234/eoinlayton/Beer/17062013592_zps37a4af08.jpg)
Coat hanger >> string >> cloth
The coat hanger is to get the string through the flexible pipe.
The string drags the cloth through.
The cloth dries the inside of the tube.
I use something similar (http://www.amazon.com/Hoppes-BoreSnake-Cleaner-Choose-Caliber/dp/B004DPJPV8) for my rifle and it's the job.
Generally though for syphon tube I just swing it around like a looney, then hang it in the kitchen for a while.
I suppose you should plug up the ends if your place is prone to spider infestation.
Nice idea Eoin, thanks :)
I should have thought of that myself; I used to watch my ould fella clean his shotgun with a coat hanger and a pair of Y-fronts ;D
Plugging the ends might be worth a try too.
Very good !
I recently purchased one of these for my fish tank ..
http://www.waterzoo.co.uk/EHEIM-PIPE-CLEANING-BRUSH-SET-M736
a bit of a rip-off.
Generally I rinse all my pipes with star-san after use - I then hang them for a days in the kitchen to dry out (until I am told to move those bleeding hoses)
The trick is not to store them damp.
Quote from: Il Tubo on June 17, 2013, 02:30:39 PM
And if the underpants got stuck in the barrel he could shoot them out!
Doctor,Doctor,I'm shitting chips,"well lift your string vest then".
Quote from: brenmurph on June 17, 2013, 12:35:01 PM
anyone know if silicone tubing can be pressure cooked to sterilise and kill mold spores?
Silicone tubing is good for sterilising at 120C in a pressure cooker at 1 bar: it will withstand over 200C easily
Thats why they make silicon bakeware/oven mats (whot we make kettle gasket out of) that are safe to 250C or so
HTH :)
Quote from: Will_D on June 17, 2013, 08:46:56 PM
Quote from: brenmurph on June 17, 2013, 12:35:01 PM
anyone know if silicone tubing can be pressure cooked to sterilise and kill mold spores?
Silicone tubing is good for sterilising at 120C in a pressure cooker at 1 bar: it will withstand over 200C easily
Thats why they make silicon bakeware/oven mats (whot we make kettle gasket out of) that are safe to 250C or so
HTH :)
It good to know.. Id say if theres a risk of infection its a good chance to be the siphon tube :). I like that draw wire above.. A little strip of sponge would would work as well.
Do the pub line service people still force little sponge pellets through the hoses?
Quote from: Will_D on June 17, 2013, 08:46:56 PM
Silicone tubing is good for sterilising at 120C in a pressure cooker at 1 bar: it will withstand over 200C easily
Suppose a baby bottle steam sterilizer would be the job too so :)
I think in industry they use a 'pig' to clean the pipes (if the regular CIP has stopped being effective) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigging
It's basically blowing a plug through the pipe work. It might be possible to do on a home scale if you can attach the siphon to the ktichen tap somehow so you can blast the wadding (or similar) through. I haven't tried it myself.
It's a good idea to try to clean pipes, siphons, etc rather than relying on sanitation techniques (even heat) because when soil and biofilms build up, they offer a degree of protection to microbes that might allow them to survive regular cleaning and sanitation regimes.
Andrew