A Bright Idea - Not

[TonyP]

A few weeks ago I got a great idea. To make cleaning / sanitizing easier, I put my regularly used equipment in a large sealed bin (after cleaning / sanitizing everything) together with one of my sponges. When I opened my bin today the first thing a reached for was the sponge and noticed it was still damp - two weeks later. I looked over the equipment and noticed MOLD on everything: the tubes, siphon, spoon, whip, hydrometer, thermometer, cylinders, beakers, wine thief, bungs, and airlocks. The bin inside wall had mold and even some fuzzy stuff. Not a lot of visible mold but something on almost everything, and any is, of course, too much.

Now I've cleaned everything twice and converted the bin into a corkidor-like holder with K-meta. Tomorrow I'll sanitize with Star San. Although I believe I've handled it, any thoughts on anything further to clear out the mold? I don't want to use chlorine or iodophor unless I have to.

I take it my mistake was in failing to make certain everything was dry. Is sealed storage worthwhile?

Tony P.

 

[robie]

Sealed storage is definitely OK, as long as you add the open Kmeta container (like a corkidor) or fill the container with Kmeta fumes (spray right before you seal it up.

You must live in a humid area.

 

[TonyP]

Sealed storage is definitely OK, as long as you add the open Kmeta container (like a corkidor) or fill the container with Kmeta fumes (spray right before you seal it up.

You must live in a humid area.

I had the bin in an extra bedroom closet. Indoor humidity is in the 50s. I think the problem was putting the damp sponge in and not making certain everything was dry.

I've emailed Five Star to ask if Star San kills mold spores.

Tony P.

 

[JohnT]

I would just simply clean the equipment and leave it in an uncovered bin.

If you are like me, you will not assume that equipment after being unused for a year. I always end up washing everything before use anyway.

 

[saramc]

I find that it helps to leave a small amount of k-meta solution WITH citric acid in the mix the the bottom of any sealed containers. The fumes of this combination alone does wonders at preventing mold development.