How To Clean Stainless Steel Wine Tanks

As a winery, we know you want your wine to taste smooth and delicious when it's bottled. How to clean stainless steel wine tank can have a huge impact on the quality of your wine The good news is that you can get great results using prettech stainless steel winetanks without a lot of labor, see our tips below.

Stainless steel is the best material for making wine tanks. Because stainless steel is corrosion-resistant, easy to weld, reasonably priced and has strong plasticity. Due to its unique properties, stainless steel has become the material of choice for experienced winemakers. 

Do you know how to properly clean a stainless steel wine tank? Keeping your equipment clean can be very difficult, especially if you don't use stainless steel brewing equipment. Stainless steel is easier to clean than other metal materials and is very hygienic. Upgrading your brewing equipment to stainless steel offers reduced maintenance requirements and access to advanced fermentation technology. Fermentation tanks made of stainless steel are more conducive to heat dissipation.

Some people's stainless steel wine tanks start to rust, which is caused by problems with the protective chromium oxide on the surface. Scrubbing stainless steel tanks with bleach can cause the protective coating to break down, exposing the iron in the stainless steel to air and forming rust.

The quality of stainless steel wine tanks manufactured by Prettech is superior to other equipment on the market. Browse our products.

The equipment we produce is powerful and easy to use. Since the device is made of high-quality stainless steel material, it can be used for a long time. Our prices are also very favorable, Prettech looks forward to cooperating with you！

Cleaning stainless steel wine tanks is crucial to maintaining hygiene and preventing contamination during the winemaking process. The following are general guidelines for manual cleaning:

First prepare the following supplies

• Goggles

• Plastic gloves

• Rubber boots

Then start the following cleaning steps

1）Empty the Tank: Make sure the tank is empty of any remaining wine or sediment.
Rinse with Water: Use hot water to rinse the interior of the tank thoroughly. This helps remove any residual wine or debris.
2）Degrease: If there's any greasy residue, you can use a mild alkaline cleaner or a specialized stainless steel cleaner to degrease the surface. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for dilution and application.
3）Scrubbing: For stubborn stains or deposits, you may need to scrub the interior with a soft-bristle brush or pad. Avoid using abrasive materials that could scratch the stainless steel surface.
4）Rinse Again: After cleaning, rinse the tank thoroughly with hot water to remove any cleaner residue.
5）Sanitize: Sanitization is crucial to kill any remaining bacteria or yeast that could contaminate future batches of wine. Use a food-grade sanitizer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Make sure the sanitizer comes into contact with all surfaces of the tank.
6）Rinse Again (Optional): Some sanitizers may require rinsing after application. Follow the instructions provided with the sanitizer.
7）Dry: Allow the tank to air dry completely before storing or using it again. Proper drying helps prevent the growth of bacteria.
8）Inspect: Before storing the tank, inspect it for any signs of damage or wear. Address any issues promptly to ensure the tank remains in good condition.
9）Maintenance: Regular cleaning and maintenance will prolong the life of your stainless steel wine tanks. Develop a cleaning schedule based on the frequency of use and the nature of the wine being produced.

Additionally, consult with your winery's specific protocols and any regulatory requirements for cleaning and sanitation in winemaking.

If a CIP system is used, manual cleaning is not required.

The CIP system (Clean-In-Place) is an automated cleaning system used to thoroughly clean and disinfect containers, pipelines, and equipment without the need for disassembly. The principle of the CIP system involves the circulation of chemical cleaning agents, water, and/or disinfectants through pipelines and nozzles, applying force on the surfaces of equipment to remove dirt, bacteria, and other contaminants.

Here's how the CIP system works and its main steps:

1. Preparation:

   Before starting the CIP cycle, the equipment should be emptied of any residues, and all connections should be properly set. Valves or filters that might interfere with the cleaning process should be closed or removed.

2. Pre-rinsing:

   A pre-rinsing step is conducted before the main cleaning process begins. This typically involves rinsing the equipment with water to remove most of the impurities and residues.

3. Main Cleaning:

   The main cleaning process involves thoroughly cleaning the equipment using a solution of cleaning agent. The cleaning agent solution is pumped through the CIP system and sprayed onto the surfaces through pipelines and nozzles. The solution remains on the surfaces for a period to dissolve and remove dirt.

4. Intermediate Rinsing:

   After the cleaning agent has been used, an intermediate rinsing step is performed to remove any residual cleaning agent. This is usually done using water to ensure the surfaces of the equipment are clean.

5. Disinfection:

   Following the cleaning process, a disinfection step can be carried out to kill any remaining bacteria or microorganisms. The disinfectant solution is pumped through the CIP system and sprayed onto the surfaces.

6. Final Rinsing:

   After the application of the disinfectant, a final rinsing step is conducted to remove any residual disinfectant. This is also done using water to ensure the equipment surfaces are clean and free from any chemical residues.

7. Drainage:

   Once the cleaning is completed, all cleaning agents and water are drained into the wastewater treatment system or designated drainage system to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

The CIP system achieves automated cleaning through circulation systems, appropriate cleaning agents and disinfectants, and nozzle spraying, significantly improving cleaning efficiency and consistency while reducing the need for manual labor.

The benefits of using a CIP system for cleaning include:

Automation: No need to manually disassemble and clean equipment, saving time and labor costs.

Thoroughness: CIP systems cover all surfaces to ensure thorough cleaning and disinfection.

Efficiency: The cleaning process can be completed in a short time, thereby reducing downtime and improving production efficiency.

Controllability: The effectiveness of the cleaning process can be controlled by adjusting the concentration, temperature and flow of cleaning agents and disinfectants.