Sanitizing a filter

[beer_bear]

I have a friend that was asking a question about filtering. He just bought a filter and wanted to know how to sanitize it. I told him to pump some PBW through it first, then Star San. Does this sound like a good idea?

[Speyedr]

What kind of filter, and for filtering what? Water or Beer? I wouldn't put PBW through it 'cause it'll just get caught in the filter media. He'd have a hell of a time getting it rinsed out. The star San will also foam like a bitch.

He could clean the housing and tubing with PBW and Star San, but as for the media, if he's real worried about it I'd use Iodophur or boil it.

Rob

[beer_bear]

He's filtering finished beer. I didn't think about the foaming thing. Maybe the iodophur thing would be a better idea.
Thanks

[Lufah]

You can get non-foaming star san. I can't remember the name, but it's out there.


Travis

[markmier]

Lufah's talking about Saniclean. It would work well, but iodophor is cheaper. I don't own a filter, but if I did, I would just use iodophor.

Saniclean:
http://morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=16025

[Gucci Pilot]

Back to Rob's question, beer bear, what kind of filter? If it is a plate filter like the ones that B3 sells, you DO NOT want to pump sanitizer though it. It will be a big mess, trust me. Those filters are good to go out of the bag.

[beer_bear]

I'm not sure Gucci if it's a plate filter or not. I would think so. He's not on as tight of a budget as I am. I'll find out soon and let you know. I think I'm also going to point him to this thread. Thanks

[DannyW]

I got my plate filter from B3 today, and have some of the same questions as the OP.

The instructions say to wet the pads in sterile water or star san. They recommend sanitizing the housing with StarSan. I guess the foaming is not a big deal if they are recommending the pads be soaked in the stuff. The pads are supposed to be sanitary out of the bag, but need to be wet to push out air/oxygen I think.

Sadly, it says "make sure the beer is uncarbonated, as this will affect the filtering process." Well, crap, my beer is always cabonated by the time I would want to be filtering it.

Now that I've read the instructions, how does it work in the real world? If both the kegs and filter assembly are cold and pressure is maintained in the receiving keg, will carbonated beer filter OK?