Chemsan - once diluted for use, how long can you keep using it?

[Rigsby666]

Guys, I'm a fairly recent born again homebrewer (LOL) after not brewing for probably a couple of decades. In that time so much has changed and one of those things is that I've just started using Chemsan as a sanitiser. My rookie question is, once diluted and made up for use, how long can you keep using that solution? Is it something you can bottle and keep using for a few times or for a certain time or a set age, or is it a case of use on the day you make it and then throw it and make some more the next time you need it. I am just wondering if, for example, it's good to keep the solution you used for cleaning before making your beer, then use it again a couple of weeks later when you bottle or barrel? Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[Clint]

I've recently bought some and intend to use it as I do starsan.
I make a 5l batch every brew,sterilise everything then leave the remaining liquid in a spare fv with pipes,spoons etc until the next brew when I ditch it and start again as it's really cheap to do so. The chemsan is cheaper than starsan so it's even better!

 

[MyQul]

I've recently bought some and intend to use it as I do starsan.
I make a 5l batch every brew,sterilise everything then leave the remaining liquid in a spare fv with pipes,spoons etc until the next brew when I ditch it and start again as it's really cheap to do so. The chemsan is cheaper than starsan so it's even better!

I have some of those cheapo £1 for a million, PH strips. I constantly reuse my made up star san (which is why my current bottle is still going strong after about 6-7 years). So I test the batch every so often to make sure its below 3.5. If its not I just add a bit of undiluted star san to the current batch to get the PH down again. I'm guessing you could do the same with Chemsan?

 

[Clint]

That's a good point M.

 

[Rigsby666]

I have some of those cheapo £1 for a million, PH strips. I constantly reuse my made up star san (which is why my current bottle is still going strong after about 6-7 years). So I test the batch every so often to make sure its below 3.5. If its not I just add a bit of undiluted star san to the current batch to get the PH down again. I'm guessing you could do the same with Chemsan?

Thanks guys for your help so far.

MyQul, excuse my ignorance, so is the PH level of the solution the indicator as to whether it is still an effective sanitiser or not? And is it to say that the solution will not get contaminated or "go off" if you like, as long as the PH level is below 3.5? This is all fascinating stuff.

 

[MyQul]

Thanks guys for your help so far.

MyQul, excuse my ignorance, so is the PH level of the solution the indicator as to whether it is still an effective sanitiser or not? And is it to say that the solution will not get contaminated or "go off" if you like, as long as the PH level is below 3.5? This is all fascinating stuff.

This is correct, as far as I understand star san (Im definately not a chemist btw, it's just what I've read on the interwebs). As long as the PH is below 3.5 it will do it's job and doesn't 'go of'. I keep my diluted star san in a 5L plastic jerry can and keep it for weeks and months. Seems to do the job as I never get infections

 

[Rakey]

I've left it weeks and its been fine sitting in a bucket, checked the Ph to ensure that it was still working before using it.

As long as you're diluting correctly (2ml per Litre) and checking he Ph it going to be fine

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Is Chemsan a clone of Starsan, or is it the new name for it please?

 

[MyQul]

Is Chemsan a clone of Starsan, or is it the new name for it please?

Its a clone.

 

[Clint]

Talking of clones...last night a chap in the pub was the one who looked after Dolly the cloned sheep!