Star San/Hard water

[dedken]

Hi all, I emailed Five Star about the cloudiness caused by using Star San in hard water (and the fear it sends running through homebrewers). And they have clarified everything once and for all. Here is the answer I received.

"Hi Ken,

Thanks so much for contacting Five Star!

The “cloudiness” can be a bit confusing, however, when a new solution turns cloudy it is usually because of the hard water and that is why we say to test the ph level. As long as the ph level is 3.5 or below that mixed solution will do exactly what its intended to. [my highlighting/bold/underlining].If the solution was bad the ph level will stay above 5. I have attached a tech sheet for your review.

If you have any other questions please el tem know.

Cheers!

Emily Lovato"

Five Star Chemicals & Supply, Inc.
4915 East 52nd Ave
Commerce City CO 80022
Office (303) 287-0186
Fax (303) 287-0391
http://www.fivestarchemicals.com

And that is all you need to know. No more need to buy mineral water, just use what comes out of your tap. FYI 1ml Star San in 500ml my London water gave a pH in the range 2.8-3.1 so just acidify it a little bit with CRS or phosphoric acid to make sure if you're still worried, or up the ratio. No harm in using more a bit more.

Ken Bazley,
Vice-Chairman, London Amateur Brewers

PS maybe this info should be made sticky?

[Underground Joe]

That's great to know. Even more justification now for a digital ph meter.

[Dave S]

That's great to know. Even more justification now for a digital ph meter.

It's worth adding some acid to tap water if the alkalinity is high and making up a small solution to check the pH. I might try it at the weekend and report back.

[mabrungard]

While I agree that the killing power of the solution should be good as long as the pH is below 3.5, another factor is that the solution is slimy and it coats equipment when hard water is used. For any equipment left in the solution for more than a few minutes will become coated by the deposits. I feel that those deposits can increase the potential for biofilm development if there were ever an infection. When possible, very low hardness water should be used to create your StarSan solution.

[hophit]

That is useful for me living in London. From now on no need to worry. I might just put an extra 0.3 ml per litre star san in to be sure...

[dedken]

I feel that those deposits can increase the potential for biofilm development if there were ever an infection.

]

I see what you're saying. The answer to this is of course to make sure you clean your equipment properly and there will then be no build up.

[LeeH]

Anybody tried the 7.99 ebay pH meters?

[StickyCola]

I use the collected water from my condenser tumble drier. Stays clear & works a treat!

[pads72]

I use the collected water from my condenser tumble drier. Stays clear & works a treat!

Wouldn't the water from a condensing tumble drier have residual soap powder in it from the dried clothes? I wouldn't drink that water or use it to sanitise my kit!

[Dave S]

I use the collected water from my condenser tumble drier. Stays clear & works a treat!

Wouldn't the water from a condensing tumble drier have residual soap powder in it from the dried clothes? I wouldn't drink that water or use it to sanitise my kit!

Neither would I. I remember following some 'advice' once to use spent tumble dryer water to water the plants. Killed everything it came into contact with.

[LeeH]

Bug city!!

[StickyCola]

Bug city!!

It's basically distilled water, the same as from a de-humidifier. Any bugs are killed by the steam before condensing. Anyway it aint going to have any bugs once you've put starsan in it . I've used it for lots of brews for all equipment & all the bottles.
Never had any issues. Ph spot on. Stays crystal clear & seems to kill any bugs. "Bug free city!!". I even use it on all my delicate seedlings(they love it). Used by a lot of brewers on other forums, but I would be interested to know if there are any genuine reasons for not using it. Cheers

[LeeH]

I'm sure you're right but I just don't like the idea of using water collected from a warm, non sanitised wet/damp kitchen appliance. The water will only be as clean as the device or machine it's produced in. And something that spends most of its time warm and wet is not my idea of a bug free environment.

Just my 10p

[GrowlingDogBeer]

I wouldn't use mine either, it smells of fabric conditioner. It works great in the steam generator iron though.

[cellone]

What I would like is an answer to achieving a low ph in hard water. Could vinegar be the solution?