Quick StarSan Question

[generalzonzo]

How long will 1 Oz of StarSan dilluted in 5 gallons (300ppm) be good for? Can I make 5 gallons and store it in a bucket with a lid?

[BrewDog]

Yes, you can store it. It is good until the pH goes above 3.0.
How long that takes depends. I think Toney has stored it for longer than a month. Toney?

[larin1477]

http://www.fivestarchemicals.com/

Thats the website for Star San...doesnt say anything about how long it lasts...only says things being sanitized should be submurged for 1-2 min...unless someone else here can answer it Id say to email the company...I would think it lasts for a few hours at least...plenty of time to brew!

[corkybstewart]

I just read on another forum that it will last for months if mixed with RO water. I guess regular water has minerals in it that will change the pH pretty fast.

[hooky]

Brewingnetwork.com ran an interview with the founder of 5 Star. he said that as long as you kept it in a closed container, it would last for months, even years.

I keep a gallon in a plastic milk jug and will use a ph strip to test. I've used it up before it's gone bad.

I'm using some today that's been in the jug since Jan and it's fine.

[generalzonzo]

Thanks for the insights. I figured it would last a bit, I will test the pH before use.

[Cosmic Charlie]

I've used bleach successfully for quite a while, but I might give StarSan a try. Would I mix up, say, 1 gallon and swish it around my carboy - or should I mix up 6.5 gallons of solution and let it soak for a few minutes?

[larin1477]

Whichever you prefer...Star san is concentrated (1oz to 5 gal of water)...but has a handy spout that regulates how much you use broken down into 1/4 oz and 1/2 oz...I usually fill either my bottling bucket with 5 gal if im brewing or one of my primarys if im bottling...Star san works in 1-2 min and is a true No-rinse sanitizer...

[danno]

I bought a new quart of Star-San earlier this week, and the new bottles don't have the handy measuring device in it. :(

Cosmic Charlie, definitely just mix up a gallon and swirl it around. it's just as effective as a soak. in fact, you can swirl it and dump it out, because the surface won't dry in less than two minutes...

the only time I mix up a full five gallons is on brew day, and that's because I pump it through my CFC...

[Saint-Thomas]

Cosmic Charlie: In the same brewing network interview, the founder of Five Star said that the foam worked just as well as the solution as far as the sanitizing effectiveness. Also it is 99% effective after 30 seconds of contact. For carboys, I just fill up with about 2 gallons and then dump. By the time it exits the carboy, it has been sanitized.

I still get a little nervous about the bubbles (although it has no negative impact on the beer) and found that it is better to siphon or use a racking cane when tipping the carboy over to reduce the "glug glug" which can cause excessive foaming.