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First Time Using 5-Star Star San
So I've heard and read that the Star San from 5-Star is an outstanding sanitizer. I bought a big jug of this stuff and used it for the first time the other day.
I though that it was nice how it foams up and really gets into the cracks and crevices of all my equipment.
I do have a bit of a concern though: I used it to sanitize my bottles prior to filling with beer. In most of the bottles, I had a bit of foam left over from the Star San. I did my best to pour as much out as possible, but alas I couldn't get all of it out.
Is this going to have an effect on the beer? It specifically said not to rinse equipment after sanitizing (which obviously make sense). Anyone have experience using Star San?
I'm pretty confident that all is okay...but I get a little bit freaked out sometimes. Thanks!
The foam is impossible to avoid w/o rinsing. If your bottles have foam it will be a pain when you fill them because the foam will overflow before the beer reaches the right headspace.
I don't use many bottles, but when I do I clean them, let the starsan do its job, then rinse it out w/ tapwater. I don't think that will ever be a cause of infection. I suppose if you are real meticulous about it you could rinse them in a large pot of boiled then cooled water.
When it comes down to carboys however, I do the starsan rinse, pour out what I can, then rack on the foam. Same with kegs.
I use IO Star made by Five Star. It's an Iodine sanitizer. It comes in a squeeze bottle with a fill cup on top to measure the correct amount. No guesswork. I just squeeze theamount needed for 5 gallons, add it to carboy with water, let it sit for two minutes, then syphon it off into pot or container to sanitize bottles with. Works great and no rinsing required.
DC
There is a series of videos on you tube about kegging...the guy always says "don't fear the foam"
Don't Fear The Foam.........it's harmless!!!!
I usually sanitize by immersion, swish, drain as best as possible and let them sit for a few minutes... Than fill with beer.
So far it all turns out well... I periodically get a noticeably under carbonated bottle (one or two a batch) but I'm not certain that has anything to do with the starsan.
-R
dartgod wrote:
Don't Fear The Foam.........it's harmless!!!!
Right on, don't fear the foam.
If you let the bottle or carboy sit long enough the foam starts to break down and you can pour it out as a little liquid.
I don't bother with this though, I transfer beer right onto the foam. Most of it blows out the top as the vessle fills anyway.
Doesn't that label of Star-san say "no rinse" on it. No worries with the foam.
It's hard to do, but everyone's right the foam is ok. I use warm water and it seems to produce a little bit less than when I used to use cold. Put a little bit in a glass of water and taste it if you're not convinced.
Just to elaborate a little more.......when I was at the New South Brewing Co. and spent a day brewing, the owner used Star-San for sanitizing and it foamed up even more than it does at home because he was running it through pumps......the only difference is he gets his in 5 gallon pails and I get mine in quart containers........listen to the Podcast on Basic Brewing Radio on Star-San by Charlie Talley the owner......it's from March 29, 2007.......
http://www.basicbrewing.com/index.php?p … radio-2007
Dartgod! Podcasts...a whole new world! The discussion that the 5-Star founder had was amazing. Thanks for sharing dude!
I would highly, highly recommend it for any brewer. These podcasts are the best thing since BrewingKB!!!
Just to let any canadians know..
I now have 5 star products in stock for us up here....starsan,pbw,iodolpher,brewers cleaning kits
I don't use star san...I use one step.
It leaves a cloudy coating on the bottles after they dry, so I use vodka to rinse that out .
Would prolly work on your foam as well.
I use vodka to help sanitize a lot.
I even dip the tops of the bottles in a small cup of vodka just before bottliing in case I touch the rim or the short hose coming from the spout of the bucket.
Maybe I'm to careful.
mrvnp wrote:
I don't use star san...I use one step.
It leaves a cloudy coating on the bottles after they dry, so I use vodka to rinse that out .
Would prolly work on your foam as well.
I use vodka to help sanitize a lot.
I even dip the tops of the bottles in a small cup of vodka just before bottliing in case I touch the rim or the short hose coming from the spout of the bucket.
Maybe I'm to careful.
It's tough to say you're being too careful, but maybe you are. I use both Star San and 1-Step. I don't let them dry, as I don't sanitize until I'm ready to use. That way I know it's clean and good to go, still wet with sanitizer....and instead of the vodka dipping, try filling a spray bottle with sanitizer and giving the whole siphon or racking hose assembly a quick spray...
ricka182 wrote:
...try filling a spray bottle with sanitizer and giving the whole siphon or racking hose assembly a quick spray...
That spray bottle of Star San has got to be the most convenient and time saving thing I've started using while brewing.
FirePitBrew wrote:
ricka182 wrote:
...try filling a spray bottle with sanitizer and giving the whole siphon or racking hose assembly a quick spray...
That spray bottle of Star San has got to be the most convenient and time saving thing I've started using while brewing.
+1, +2, +3 over and over on the spray bottle of Star San.....couldn't get much easier to be clean..
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