Best Sanitizer For Keg & Bottle Washing Systems (Like Mark's Keg Washer)

Please tell us your experiences with different sanitizers you use in keg and bottle sanitizing when using an automatic pump based system.

I use iodophor since the 1990's. I feel it's safe in the right ppm's. When I use Mark's Keg Washer, after maybe 5-10 minutes of recirculating, the color of solution goes from amber to a very pale yellow.

It seems the iodine is evaporating out of solution due to the vigorous action of the recirculation and pump.

In the past, I have either re-made the 1 gallon of solution or have just added some more iodophor until the color is amber.

Of concern is using too much iodophor - when I add more into the solution to get the color back to amber. Also, if the solution turns pale yellow, is it no longer effective.

Is there a better sanitizer or technique of using this keg washer. I.E. - Iodophor is ok but only recirc for 5 minutes, not any more than that.

All feedback is appreciated.

For cleaning, PBW jumps out at me as the likely choice. For a no-rinse sanitization Star-San is great but the recirc may foam up pretty heavily.

I'm a former iodophor user as well (since 1991) but I'm beginning to like these new-fangled products.

The makers of Star San (Five Star Chemicals) also makes Five Star Saniclean which is a low foam acid an anionic rinse for brewing and food applications. It works great with the Mark's II Kegwasher.