glorifiedbusdriver

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I have used One step for years with no problem at all but decided to buy some star-san since it comes in larger quantities. This stuff really foams up which is probably great for get into all of the cracks but all of the foam is still on my equipment when I take it out. The bottle specifically says do not rinse and use when wet, but I'm not going to use it when bubbles are all over it. Also my equipment is real slimy...is that normal? I thought maybe I'm using too much but I measure it out on a scale per the directions. Is it okay to add the star san into the water instead of the water into the star san? I would think this would cut down on the foam? I know alot of you guys use this stuff, can you tell me how you use this? Thanks.

Charlie

Beerrific

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First, don't fear the foam. It will not hurt your beer.


Second, how long are you soaking? Star San can leave a slimy residue on some materials if you leave them soaking too long (hours to days). If that happens I rinse and re-sanitize.

Third, the measurements are not weight ounces but fluid ounces and you should be using 1oz. per 5 gallons. The little bulb thing at the top can measure that for you. If you are looking to make less, use 6ml (~.2oz) per 1 gallon.

Yes, add the star san to the water then shake gently to mix. That will help minimize the foam. But when you put it in carboys, kegs, etc and shake it will foam up anyway.

GilaMinumBeer

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Use it just the way you are.

Whether you add the water to the concentrate or the concentrate to the water, once you mix it it will foam.

If the foam REALLY bothers you they have another version SaniClean, IIRC, and it doesn't foam.

In reality, the foam is not an issue. Once the mixture combines with the pH of the wort it all becomes food for yeast so, FOAM ON.

glorifiedbusdriver

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thanks for the replies and the picture, I feel a little better now.

FireBrewer

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I've been using StarSan for probably 5 years now, no issues whatsoever. The stuff is great, quick contact time, and it inactivates above pH 3. It's a food-grade acid. The foam's a good thing.
Like the others say, don't fear the foam.

malkore

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if it makes you feel better, I have purposely drank normally diluted star-san. its safe, and the slight flavor it has is nothing I've detected in any of my beers. I would not worry.

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Malkore
Primary: English Mild
On tap: Pale Ale, Lancelot's Wheat, English Brown Ale, Steam Beer, HoovNuts IPA
Bottled: MOAM, Braggot, Raspberry Melomel, Merlot, Apfelwein, Pyment, Sweet mead, Cabernet
Gal in 2009: 27, Gal in 2010: 34, Gal in 2011: 13, Gal in 2012: 10

hagbardceline

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so are you guys saying it's ok to mix your wort in with the foam? don't need to wait for it to go away?

bwitt

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Correct. I just finished racking a 5gal carboy into a keg that I had just finished sanitizing and it had a good bit of foam in it.

Don't fear the foam.

BigKahuna

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Stupid Brewer of the evening award Goes to me....along with the good choice award.

Last night I was bottling a variation of Apfelwein....and was using StarSan on the bottles. I gave them a quick spray of starsan and let them sit till i'm ready then I swirl and dump then fill. Problem is the first 3 I forgot to dump. Filled Bottles with a teaspoon of starsan each plus wine.

Stupid for forgetting....smart for using starsan....no taste at all....it's all good.

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BigKahuna

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glorifiedbusdriver???
Commercial Airline Pilot?

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