How to Clean and Sanitize the Version 2.0 Fermentation Hub [w/ Video]

How to Clean and Sanitize the Version 2.0 Fermentation Hub [w/ Video]

PLEASE NOTE: There are currently two versions of the BrewIQ Fermentation Hub

      Version 1.5 - features two plastic hoses on top of the Hub, with a sample valve on bottom left
      Version 2.0 - features two metal valves on top of the Hub with no hoses.

Materials Required
  1. (1) Rinse Bucket
  2. (1) Clean Bucket
  3. (1) Sanitize Bucket
  4. (1) SmartClean hose - Hose 1
  5. (1) SmartClean hose - Hose 2
  6. Cell-R-Mastr or PBW
  7. Peracetic Acid (or other approved Sanitizer)
  8. (1) Hose Drain Adapter
  9. Immersion Heater
  10. Wi-Fi enabled computer, tablet, or smartphone

The cleaning procedure takes about 2 hours, or 75 minutes with Speed2Clean activated. The majority of the Cleaning Process runs autonomously. The steps are as follows:

Prep Working Station

  1. Place the RINSE, CLEAN, and SANITIZE buckets from left to right
  2. Place the Fermentation Hub (formerly SensorHub) with the logo facing forward on a lower shelf or floor, 2-3 feet below the buckets.
  3. Plug in the Fermentation Hub to a power source and wait for the solid green (ready) light
  4. Prep the hot water for the Clean Step:
    1. Fill the CLEAN bucket to the top of the sticker with hot water (≤145°F/63°C)
    2. Add 6oz (3 full scoops) of Cell-r-Mastr cleaner or PBW
    3. Plug in and insert the immersion heater into the bucket, and set it to 145°F
  1. Log in to the BrewIQ Customer Dashboard 
  2. Navigate to the Devices page in the left-hand column menu of the Customer Dashboard
  3. Click on the green CLEANING MANAGER link at the top right corner of the Devices page
    1. You will see two options to select at the top of the Cleaning Manager window.  Active Cleanings will show you all units currently being cleaned.  Cleaning History will show you a history of units you've cleaned in the past
  4. Click on the green START NEW CLEANING button at the top right corner of the page

  5. In the Cleaning Method window, ensure that Manual Cleaning is selected

  6. In the window below, select the Fermentation Hub you are going to clean.  Press CONTINUE at bottom right corner of page

  7. Confirm that the Fermentation Hub is connected to the buckets and ready to be cleaned by checking the box at the bottom of the window, press START CLEANING

    1. If new firmware is available, it will be updated automatically at the beginning of the cleaning process

1) Rinse 1 [2-minute cycle]

  1. Fill the RINSE bucket with warm water (≤145°F/ 63°C) to the top of the RINSE sticker.
  2. Connect hoses
    1. Remove the Valve Release Set from the Hub, if attached.
    2. Connect Hose 1 to the Inlet hose on the right side of the Fermentation Hub then connect Hose 1 to the bulkhead on the RINSE bucket.
      1. If using the v5 Tank Connector, you will need to set up both Cleaning Hoses by connecting the stainless steel Tank Connector hoses to the Cleaning Hose Attachments using the provided 1/2" triclamps and gaskets.
    3. Connect Hose 2 to the Outlet hose on the left side of the Fermentation Hub.
    4. Connect the drain adapter to Hose 2.  Ensure Hose 2 is leading into a drain or empty bucket.
  3. In the BrewIQ Dashboard,
    1. Click START RINSE 1  to turn on pumps and begin the rinse step.
    2. Once complete, about 2 minutes, click GO TO NEXT STEP to proceed.
2) Clean [1-hour cycle]
  1. Once the temperature on the immersion heater in the CLEAN bucket has reached 140-145°F, disconnect the hoses from the rinse bucket and drain and connect both hoses to the bulkheads on the CLEAN bucket
  2. In the BrewIQ Console,
    1. Click START CLEANING to turn on pumps and begin the clean step. This will take 45-60 minutes to complete (Note: if the fluid temperature (140-145°F/60-63°C) and pH (>10.5) of the cleaning solution are correct, the total clean time will be reduced to 45 minutes)
    2. Once complete, click GO TO NEXT STEP to proceed

3) Rinse 2 [2-minute cycle]

  1. Repeat Rinse Cycle again:
    1. Fill the RINSE bucket with warm water (<145°F)
    2. Connect Hose 1 to the bulkhead on the bucket
    3. Connect the drain adapter to Hose 2. Place the end of hose 2 at a trench drain or waste receptacle.
    4. In the BrewIQ Console,
      1. Click START RINSE 2 button to turn on the pumps and begin the rinse step. 
      2. Once complete, about 2 minutes, click GO TO NEXT STEP to proceed

4) Sanitize [1 hour cycle]

  1. Fill SANITIZE bucket to the bottom of the sanitize sticker (2 gallons total) with room temperature water (<100°F)
  2. Fill the SANITIZE bucket to the bottom of the sanitize sticker (2 gallons total) with room temperature (<100°F)  peracetic acid (PAA) solution at 200ppm.
  3. Detach the hoses from the RINSE bucket and the drain adaptor.
  4. Connect both cleaning hoses to the SANITIZE bucket. 
  5. In the BrewIQ Console,
    1. Click START SANITIZING to turn on the pumps and begin the Sanitize step. This will take 30-60 minutes to complete (Note: if the fluid temperature (<100°F/38°C) and pH (<4.5) of the sanitizing solution are correct, the total sanitizing time will be reduced to 30 minutes)

    2. Once complete, click press the GO TO NEXT STEP  button to proceed 

    3. Lastly, click FINISH AND EXIT SMARTCLEAN MANAGER button to mark the Fermentation Hub 'Clean'

5) Finish 

  1. Close valves on the Fermentation Hub, leaving PAA in the Fermentation Hub for up to 7 days. Disconnect cleaning hoses 
    1. If using the v5 Tank Connector, disassemble the Cleaning Hoses by removing the 1/2" triclamps and gaskets from the stainless steel Tank Connector hoses.  The Tank Connector hoses can be set aside until you're ready to begin monitoring your next fermentation.  Make sure to re-sanitize the Tank Connector hoses before installing them on your actual tank!

  2. Dump out remaining liquid from any buckets. Rinse off the buckets, hoses, and immersion heater and dry them before storage.  

  3. In the BrewIQ Customer Dashboard, the Fermentation Hub's status is now Ready.

  4. Next, see How to Attach the Version 2.0 Fermentation Hub to the Tank Connector Assembly
    1. If using the v5 Tank Connectors, see BrewIQ version 5 Tank Connector SOP for instructions on installing the Tank Connector onto your tank and attaching your Fermentation Hub to the Tank Connector.