Star san - effective use of this sanitizer

[Scooby]

I believe the manufactures recommend mixing something with the solution if it goes cloudy when made to ensure it is effective, if I remember/find out what i'll let you know (but its a simple household product).

First I've have heard of that DaaB, thanks, I'll just stock up on betadine if I have to shop for a certain type of water to make this stuff effective

[Scooby]

So far I have found this in JPs How to Homebrew

Star San is my preferred sanitizer for all usages except those that I can conveniently do in the dishwasher. A solution of Star San has a long usage life and an open bucket of it will remain active for several days. Keeping a solution of Star San in a closed container will increase its shelf life. The viability of the solution can be judged by its clarity; it turns cloudy as the viability diminishes.

i'll keep looking

edit...

According to the bloke from Five Star chemicals, a StartSan solution is only effective at a ph of 3 or less, above this it losses its effectiveness.

For this reason it's best made up with distilled or RO water, alternatively you can add an acid to the water first to reduce the initial ph. He suggested white vinegar but I reckon CRS or Phos acid might be better (it doesnt smell like vinegar does).

One it has been made up it will continue to be effective if it remains clear and below a ph of 3 so it's advisable to check the ph before use.

I'll add a few drops of phosphoric acid to my water next time and see what happens. I haven't got any test strips in that range.

I have doubts about using this now I have read this thread but I have 450ml of Betadine so that should last me a few years

[Scooby]

I made up 250ml with some distilled water and it did indeed remain clear. As making it with tap water leaves me with a cloudy solution and adding the cost of distilled water has put me off the stuff so I'm going to dump it and put that one down to experience.

[maxashton]

Can't you get 5l bottles of distilled from automotive suppliers for batteries?

[scarer]

Living in a hard water area and after buying 2 bottles of Starsan, not wanting to waste the stuff I tried it in a bottle of Tesco value still water that I had left over from my last brew and it remained clear.

So i'm happy to use this until the starsan runs out, the water is cheap and it last a very long time, a suitable solution for me for the time being.

[BlightyBrewer]

I'm confused about this star san stuff. Palmer says it is an ideal sanitiser for CFC's, but on the Hop and Grape site it says it shouldn't be used on soft metals?

[steve_flack]

It depends. On standing it does discolour copper. So I wouldn't use it no rinse on a CFC if you're going to put the CFC away for a few weeks. OTOH It would work fine as no-rinse if you were going to use the CFC straight away.

Personally I pump boiling wort through my CFC but I realise that's not an option open to everyone.

[Graham]

I made up 250ml with some distilled water and it did indeed remain clear. As making it with tap water leaves me with a cloudy solution and adding the cost of distilled water has put me off the stuff so I'm going to dump it and put that one down to experience.

If you've already got it, can't see much point in dumping it. It seems to be flavour of the month at the moment, much to my chagrin. Might be better to try to find a way of using it. Treating your water first, either with CRS or boiling to remove alkalinity might help - well it would help. It is stable, unlike most, so you could make up a gallon or two of stock solution and keep it.

[SteveD]

I find it massively convenient - made up 2L with distilled water stored in a pet bottle and fill a spray bottle with that. Whatever needs sanitising gets a spray, and as soon as you're ready, so is the gear.

[BlightyBrewer]

I wonder why we bother with a Newsletter sometimes

JBK: It’s said that due to the acidic nature of Star San it isn’t suitable for use on soft metals. What effect would a short 30 second contact have on a plate chiller for example?

CT: As to Star San vs. soft metal Star San will always win. The trick is the contact time and when it is used. I have everyone run the Star San through the chillers just prior to use, this will not damage the units even with all of the different metals found in some of them. The problems occur when Star San is over used or if the units are soaked it in for long periods of time. Keep in mind that it only needs 30 seconds to kill. Also keep in mind that Star San is a concentrated acid sanitizer and as such it will destroy things like carpets, counter tops and the like so be neat and keep the cap on when not using this product.

Unfortunately DaaB, unlike you I cannot spend my whole life reading newsletters and scouring the forum!