Sanitation

[Drink to much]

I presently use Iodophor to sanatize my corny's and bleach on everything else and do not notice any problems. My question would be is Star-san as good as Iodophor and what is the price difference?

[danno]

I'm somewhat torn between idophor and Star San. I really like Star-San, I think the foaming action helps get sanitizer into areas not otherwise sanitized, and I also really dig the measurer built into the bottle. But, at the moment, I'm out of it, and I have almost a quart of idophor that I'm using. it sanitizes just as well, but it tends to yellow non-metals (plastic and silicone hoses, in my case). so, until I get tired of it, I'm using the idophor, because it sanitizes just as well...

but I'd dump the bleach either way. both Star-San and idophor are no rinse, while you have to rinse off bleach...

[Grog]

If you use idophor in to high of concentrations and you do the no-rinse, you will taste it (I promise). I use Star San and Sani Clean exclusively and have never any flavor issues. Bleach is good for glass if you have time for the triple rinse, but I don't use it (no time). I think idophor and bleach are definitely the most cost effective combination if you are careful (which if you haven't had any problems thus far, you probably are.)

-G-

[BluesHarp]

I've been using L.D. Carlson One Step No Rinse Cleanser with no taste issues, no foaming, no rinsing, and no infections...

[toneyc]

I prefer starsan because my kitchen doesn't turn purple after I use it. I am fairly clumsy and when I used Iodophor I would drip it while measuring it out, while pouring it, or just looking at it the wrong way. Plus, you can reuse starsan as long as the pH is below 3 while Iodophor breaks down rather quickly. This brings the cost down a bit because you can reuse it for several weeks.

:)
Toney.

[brewmonkey]

Standing by my old thoughts that a brewery is no place for iodine or chlorine based sanitizers. Star-San is one of the best sani's on the market and when you compare price per oz used it is very cost effective. IIRC an ounce in 4 gals is all you need for an entire day of brewing and as long as you can keep the pH below 3 it is fine. I have been able to keep it that way for about a week with no additions and that was in a brewery where tons of stuff is going in and out of the bucket.

Here is a tip for tose using 5 gal buckets for sani. Grab a second one and drill some holes in the bottom of it. I drilled 6 1" holes as brewery items won't fall through but at home you might go for more and smaller. Put this bucket inside of the sani bucket and then the parts in that one. When you need a part the bucket can be pulled up and it will drain like a colander keeping your hands fairly dry. Star-San and Sani-Clean can tear your hands apart due to the low pH or leave them felling slimy. Just some tip's from someone who learned the hard way.

[Lamprey]

Originally posted by brewmonkey
Here is a tip for tose using 5 gal buckets for sani. Grab a second one and drill some holes in the bottom of it. I drilled 6 1" holes as brewery items won't fall through but at home you might go for more and smaller. Put this bucket inside of the sani bucket and then the parts in that one. When you need a part the bucket can be pulled up and it will drain like a colander keeping your hands fairly dry. Star-San and Sani-Clean can tear your hands apart due to the low pH or leave them felling slimy. Just some tip's from someone who learned the hard way.

Thanks for the great idea!

[Drink to much]

I also do not like the way Iodophor turns my lines yellow, but seems to do alright in everything else. Am I missing something or what, I was told that after soaking in a mild bleach solution to air dry everything. I let everything dry for at least 1/2 hour and there is no trace of bleach smell. I thought that rinsing after the bleach would be defeating the sanitazation properties of the bleach.

[Grog]

Brewmonkey - Thanks for the enlightenment. I have a SS colander w/ 1/2" holes that came with my original turkey fryer that I have been saving for God only knows what reason. It fits perfectly into the 6 gallon bucket.

DTM - I rinsed the bleach out of the bottles because I could still smell the chlorine (real or imagined, I really didn't care). I never had an infection, but your right about exposing your brew to buggies through rinsing. One reason I switched to Star San!

-G-