Using Starsan

[rpt]

I've got some Starsan on order and would like to know how people use it. I'm proposing to get a 5L bottle of Tesco Ashbeck water and add 7.5ml of Starsan to it. Some will go in a spray bottle. So some questions:

Does the measurement thing in the bottle allow 7.5ml to be measured or do I need to get a syringe from the chemist?

How do I sterilise the FV - pour a litre in and slosh it around? What do I do with the liquid now - throw it down the sink or can I keep it for next time? Can I keep things like tubes and funnels in the solution until I need to use them?

I know the concentrated product is nasty so will wear gloves but is the solution safe to handle? In other words, can I slosh it around with my hand in the FV or fill bottles from a sink full without having to worry about my skin?

 

[Kevin Wood]

I used a 5L bottle of deionised water from a motor factors. Maybe a better bet than mineral water as it's not got any hardness in it at all.

I found the measurement thing on the bottle a bit large so used a syringe. I think a syringe is the best bet.

I do as you say. Pour a little into the FV then swill it around. If I've got multiple vessels to do I sometimes pour from one to the other although that might risk cross-contamination, I suppose. The foaming nature of the product means you don't need much to give good surface wetting.

The spray is a good tool, I find. I just spray everything in sight periodically!

I find it doesn't irritate the skin when diluted to "no rinse" strength so I don't worry too much about skin contact. Not sure what the official line is, though.

 

[Dave1970]

I wouldn't mix up 5 litres at a time because it can deteriorate, particularly in water that still has some minerals. I mix up a 500ml spray bottle at a time using a 1ml syringe to measure 0.75 ml.

I was using Asda Ashbeck Spring (which is low calcium etc.) Over time it does go cloudy with this which is meant to be a sign that the pH is getting too high, to be certain you'd have to measure the pH. I've now got hold of some reverse osmosis water (pretty much like Kevin's de-ionised water) at 10p/litre from an tropical fish shop, it seems to stay crystal clear with this.
I've had plenty of the diluted product on my hands with no problem too.

If I'm doing an FV I usually just spray it from my spray bottle. If I'm doing a corny then I use a bigger syringe and make up a couple of litres with hot water so it pressurises the keg when shaken and can be forced to squirt out of the in & out tubes.

 

[alanywiseman.]

The diluted product has a pH of 3 so is fairly acidic. The official line is that it requires 2 mins contact time but the maker said 30 secs is fine. It is safe once diluted (the maker drank some to prove this) but do be careful with metal items. It is acidic enough to start dissovling them and cause oxidation of the metal.

Finally I would be carful of leaving any spilled solution sitting around. Mop it up quick to avoid it damaging any surfaces.

I use mine as you say. a few litres in the FV, swirl, decant and reuse. I tend to keep it and monitor the pH. If it goes above 3.5 it becomes nutrient for yeast so make a fresh solution.

EDIT: Here is a link to another thread about star san. About half way down is a link to an interview that is well worth a listen :thumb:

 

[wilsoa1111]

yeah id say starsans really sped my day up-ive been getting away with a tsp measurer but a syringe is best bet- i also have a habit of storing my excess diluted starsan in drinking bottles so have also taken a mouthful of the stuff-by accident of course :wha:
tbh not a big deal tasted kinda vinegary and probably alot better for your mouth than some of the mouthwashs out there- didnt feel inclined to swallow it like-wasnt that drunk by that pt