Making water for starsan vs buying it

[Kev888]

Hi all,

I use distilled water from a dehumidifier for making starsan up with, but it isn't keeping up with demand. So obviously I can buy water - for aquariums, suitable mineral water, car battery top up etc - but I was also wondering about treating normal tap water or getting a still (NOT for alcohol or other illegal purposes), or or something like that.

I just wondered if anyone prefers making suitable water compared to buying it. I'm partly thinking of economics but also now I've upscaled a bit it may be more convenient to use a hose pipe and some CRS or something rather than bringing home bottles of water specifically for the job.

(I've not yet had chance to investigate the five star CIP products in any detail, but if they also want special water it'll become quite a lot more useful then too)

Cheers,
Kev

[Paddy Bubbles]

I've heard water from the reservoir in a condenser dryer can be used.

I've always used StarSan and never had a problem with plain old tap water. Have you ph tested your water?

[Kev888]

Ah technology - sadly I've not got a dryer at the moment but its interesting to know about. Yes, I tested my tap water and it is definately out of range, I can't remember what it was now but it makes the starsan cloudy instantly.

Cheers
kev

[Ditch]

Now; Not wanting to get embroiled in any 'in depth' discussions here. But; This is exactly why I looked at this " Starsan ", then moved quietly along.

I chuck some cheap, thin, watery bleach into my bucket. I sniff the result. If it makes my eyes water? I go ahead and use it. Never had a problem. How scientific's that?

But, this Starsan? 'Water of a certain PH'?! F**k Off!!! Litmus Paper? Stills?! Ye kidding me?

And, because they call it " Non Rinse ", You consider it 'Labour Saving'?! F**k Off!!!

[Aleman]

Actually I consider both Starsan and iodophors to be beer saving, rather than labour saving. Water of the correct pH . . .buy 5L from the supermarket car dealers, and it's at the right pH. 5L of starsan goes a long way

splash and dash is fine until it goes wrong. I suggest Ditch you follow your own instructions

[Kev888]

Well if no-one is making their own water then I'll just carry on buying it - its not a huge hassle, just seemed worth asking the question really. I can see that if you can't get the right water, Ditch, then it could be awkward, but if you can get it without much aggro then starsan really is dead easy to use.

If I get my act together I could make larger batches and collect it in a blue clamp-top barrel after use - I guess it could potentially be re-used for months, in which case there's probably no point in worrying about occasionally carting water bottles home.

Cheers
Kev

[leedsbrew]

Actually I consider both Starsan and iodophors to be beer saving, rather than labour saving. Water of the correct pH . . .buy 5L from the supermarket car dealers, and it's at the right pH. 5L of starsan goes a long way

splash and dash is fine until it goes wrong. I suggest Ditch you follow your own instructions

how long would you expect that to last Tony?

[Ditch]

splash and dash is fine until it goes wrong. I suggest Ditch you follow your own instructions

Touché But, isn't that to suggest that the likes of SS and i4 can't or otherwise won't go wrong?

I have to work with what I can get. And, would ye believe it; Even sourcing 'weak bleach' can be an absolute nightmare for me, here. Equally, the i4 is a game of faith and chance. " If it's still brown, it's OK " seems to be the rule of thumb? Great. I keep mine in an opaque mist sprayer. I honestly can't say what's what in there. I just top it up every couple of brews or so. Like the bleach; I play it by 'ear'.

When they bring out a one shot, no messing, cheap and cheerful new substance that'll save the world and not break the bank? I'll look at that too.

Meanwhile; I've used a smelly rag for donkeys years. Never had a bad one yet. Does for me

[Aleman]

When they bring out a one shot, no messing, cheap and cheerful new substance that'll save the world and not break the bank? I'll look at that too.

Actually they have, and I'm trialling it now, with a review in the June CBA . . . Can't say that you'll be able to get it in the back of beyond though ditch . . .Need to check on costs though, but I'm loving this new product

[OldThumper]

Hi Kev,

Did you give up on this idea? I have been thinking along the same lines as you in making my own Starsan friendly water to avoid the hassle of fetching containers of heavy water. I have been using 5L of Tesco Ashbeck water which has worked well but I as I have plenty of CRS I want to treat my tap water.

Why would adding CRS not work and how do you calculate the exact amount to add per litre of water? My water reading is around 220 mg/l CaCO3 alkalinity which means I normally treat my brewing water with around 1ml CRS per litre, depending on beer style. Can Graham's water treatment calculator be used in this case or can that not be set to use a target alkalinity of 0?

I guess I can do some trial and error with the CRS until I get the PH below 3(or whatever the figure is)? Once I have the amount of CRS to add hopefully it will not vary too much but I guess regular water analysis will be a safer bet.

Cheers!

[EoinMag]

Hi Kev,

Did you give up on this idea? I have been thinking along the same lines as you in making my own Starsan friendly water to avoid the hassle of fetching containers of heavy water. I have been using 5L of Tesco Ashbeck water which has worked well but I as I have plenty of CRS I want to treat my tap water.

Why would adding CRS not work and how do you calculate the exact amount to add per litre of water? My water reading is around 220 mg/l CaCO3 alkalinity which means I normally treat my brewing water with around 1ml CRS per litre, depending on beer style. Can Graham's water treatment calculator be used in this case or can that not be set to use a target alkalinity of 0?

I guess I can do some trial and error with the CRS until I get the PH below 3(or whatever the figure is)? Once I have the amount of CRS to add hopefully it will not vary too much but I guess regular water analysis will be a safer bet.

Cheers!

Fixing your water using CRS will potentially become rapidly as expensive as to buy water from Halfords.

[Kev888]

Yeah, I sort of gave up on it - it was more for convenience than cost to be honest, but then I started thinking of CIP to spray it and so use far less anyway (though I'd need the non-foaming equivalent).

I did have a poke around afterwards and felt that there could be far cheaper ways of adjusting the PH than using CRS (which is a bit special as it ends up in the actual wort/beer), but i lack the chemistry know-how to really get into that myself unfortunately.

Cheers
Kev

[hotmog]

Just put two or three old FVs outside next time rain is forecast, and collect that. There's an abundant supply, and it's naturally distilled.

[EliteEvil]

Rainwater is full of all the crap it picks up on the way down. Petrol and smoke fumes, dust etc.

[OldThumper]

Thanks Kev. Yeah, convenience is the factor that attracts me as well.

I don't believe it costs more to use CRS compared to buying the equivalent spring water. e.g. If it takes 5ml CRS to treat 5L of tap water then the cost is tiny and not as much as £1 for a 5L bottle of Ashbeck (I guess Asda Smart price is cheaper though!) 250ml of CRS is only £1.75 so we are only talking a few pence of CRS for 5L.

I will do an experiment I think.