One Step Sanitizer
I have used and still use Star San..its no rinse and works great
StarSan is a great rinse free sanitizer. It uses Phosphoric Acid, the same stuff they put in Coca-Cola that will completely dissove a penny. Follow the mixing instructions on the bottle and you can't go wrong.
The other nice thing about StarSan is that you can mix up a batch in a 5 gallon pail, keep it closed with a lid between batches & use it almost forever. It does not break down & off gas like chlorine & one step and it will not stain like idophore. Use it this way and there is no cheaper way to sanitize your equipment.
Tom Hargrave
That's exactly what I do with mine. I use about 1/2 oz in 3 or 4 gallons of cold water, and cover that with a plastic grocery bag. Works like a champ. I think I dumped mine twice in 4 months because it was getting hazy.
Star San isn't cheap but you can use it over and over. Great stuff!
Does anyone know if you can you reuse iodophor the same was as Star San? The ability to reuse or store some for later is nice, especially for the occassional beer thief sanitation to check gravity.
You can store & re-use idophore.
I may be wrong, but I don't think iodophor will last as long as Star San. When I used to sanitize with it, I think the longest it ever lasted for myself was a month. Star San keeps for several months.
Besides, Star San is a better overall sanitizer, has foaming action which iodophor doesn't have, and it food grade. I have racked my beer right over the top of the suds with excellent results.
I usually initially clean with One Step and then rinse. Then when I go to use something (bottles, brushes caps, etc.) I spray it down with Star San. One step works great to remove gunk and debris off of equipment and star san is great to "prep" equipment prior to use. The both work well in spray bottles as well.
I use a one step santizer as well, after sanitizing my bottles and fermenters, I rinse
with vodka.
Bucky here .Hey guys I have been using one step for over five years! It was told to me by a great brewer of wines.He uses it in all of his commercial stores and for his winery! The great thing about it is just rinse and forget it.I realy like it.I again strongly recommened one-step-even at my home I useit and have made over forty batches and no problems.I have some of my friends that use other things like bead -brite or somthing else then have to do the dance and re-rinse all that you cleaned.That is why its called one step and again its great.Happy brewing folkes and good holidays! Kevin
Actually, Iodophor loses its effectiveness in roughly 24 hours. Its color lightens at about the same pace as it becomes weaker. Roughly 24 hours later it will look like plain water and should be tossed.