Too much sani clean?

[DeadFall]

Hi,

I've been lurking on the boards for a while, but in a state of tiredness I may have cocked something up so it's time to register and ask a question.

I usually use Star San to sterilize my equipment, but last time I went to order some, they were out of stock and I got some Saniclean instead. Using conversion software, I worked out a ml/litre ratio. I can't remember what it is off the top of my head (I'm at work) but I'm starting to think I cocked the calculation up and have put too much in for a no rinse solution. I only fill my bottles half full and turn them half way through the procedure. Then I drip dry them upside down for an hour or so.

To top it off, my little 3 year old helper may have put about a litre of the solution into a king keg I was filling at the same time when my back was turned.

If I have put too much in, what would be the consequences? If the beer is drinkable, is it safe? How much is too much? ( I think I put about 4ml/Litre in, I'll be able to check when I get home)

Hopefully I'm just being paranoid and mis-remembering how much my new measuring syringe holds.

[Kev888]

I'm also at work and can't check the marks on my bottle, but IIRC its suggested to use saniclean at something like 1 US fluid oz in 3 US gallons. Maybe someone can confirm that, but if so I make that to be a tad under 3ml per L, so 4ml doesn't sound ridiculous.

EDIT: And welcome to the forum!

Cheers
kev

[GrowlingDogBeer]

I don't have a bottle but just looked it up and it is 1 oz per 3 gallons, all US of course.

Oh yes, and welcome to the forum

[DeadFall]

Thanks for the welcome.

oops, I have 8ml per litre! How did I get to that?

3 us gallons = 11.35 L
1 us fl Oz = 29.57 ml

So it should be 2.6ml/L!

I'm assuming that the residual saniclean on the bottles won't be much of a problem for anything but flavour. But what about the potential litre in a 23 L batch?

[GrowlingDogBeer]

You will probably be OK with the bottles.

Are you saying there is a litre of cleaner in your Keg with your beer? I don't think I'd be drinking that too soon.

[DeadFall]

Potentially. My bucket of sani clean solution was about a litre short from when I started. Some of that would have been lost naturally. I can't remember pouring any away and my 3 year old son woke up and decided to come and help me. It was a pretty stressful session and I was rushing due to limited time. When I filled an empty king keg up with 5 gallons of water, they came to about the same level, so I'm not 100% sure. It tastes ok, as far as green beer can taste ok. I've heard that star san breaks down into harmless stuff so sani clean should do too.

[Cazamodo]

Ive been using 1.3ml per L and been fine so far...
Should I up the dose?

[Kev888]

I think thats not enough to be safe, though it depends on contact time and cleanliness and so on. Personally I'd use the recomended dose, though - a little goes so far that it wouldn't cost much more really.

That said, I've heard that saniclean is the same as starsan without the foaming agent, but also (as mentioned) that the dose should be greater than for starsan - presumably both of these can't be right...

EDIT: as I understand it the recomended dosages are 1 US oz per 3 US gallons for saniclean vs per 5 US gallons for starsan (or about 2.7ml vs 1.6ml per L)

Cheers
Kev

[DeadFall]

I did the sensible thing and binned it. It was starting to taste strange, wasn't clearing and at the end of the day I was being a tight a**e. I should have done it straight away and then I'd be a couple of weeks closer to having a replacement brew.

[Kev888]

Oh dear, Sorry to hear that.
I guess at least your little helper is okay; even diluted solutions can be a bit dodgy in the eyes and so on..

Cheers
Kev

[DeadFall]

He's fine, fortunately for his age he has very good hand to eye coordination and doesn't splash much. He likes to help me no matter what I'm doing, but especially with the home brew. The problem is the bits where he cant' help, he then gets bored and then starts trying to "help".

[DeadFall]

It looks like the bottles didn't survive either, every one I've opened so far has a really horrible sour tang to it. I've now marked clearly on my jug just how much sani clean to use!

[Spud395]

I've 2 helpers Deadfall I understand.

I went to pitch one of the 2 packs of US-05 I had in he fridge into a pale ale last year.
It seems my helpers had got a brew on earlier out the back of the shed and pitched both packs into their nettle and dockleaf brew

[barney]

It looks like the bottles didn't survive either, every one I've opened so far has a really horrible sour tang to it. I've now marked clearly on my jug just how much sani clean to use!

I noticed this on a bottle last night, that was from starsan mixed at the a ratio of 1.6ml per ltr the bottles were done in September first one, was undrinkable and second was a mearest hint. It may well be that starsan is no rinse at point of use but what is happening to it over time as it breaks down in my beer?

[DeadFall]

I've never had this problem with it mixed at normal levels. I always give it it a good shake before using to mix it thoroughly.

Spud, when I moved I had 9 demijohns filled mainly with mead and a few wines. I had tested them all before moving and they were all pretty good. During the move, my little helper decided to blow into all the airlocks. All bar three ended up as vinegar and tipped down the toilet. The Blueberry mead was lining up to be a cracker.