Star San stain

I used to fill my stainless kithen sink with star-san solution during brew day. I now have a sink in the garage, which is much better.

The problem... the drain body is now discolored to a dull mettallic matte look. My SWMBO is not too happy as we just finished a kitchen remodel.

Star-san is an acid, so I am pretty sure this caused it. I am thinking of trying baking soda to try to restore the finish. Any help out there?

star-san is safe for use on SS. I've not seen any discoloration in my kitchen sink, drain, or my corny kegs.

*shrugs*

If it's diluted to the right level then it should not be corrosive to stainless steel. At least not for that short of a contact time. My guess it's something else that did it. Or you are using to much and not enough water so the PH is wrong. In that case it's not a very good sanitizer and you need to mix it right.

You can try Bar Keeper's Friend. It that doesn't restore the shine, nothing will

I had my bottle of Star San out on the counter and the 6 year old came up and squoze it. Now there is a little ring on the counter that looks like it was burned in and won't wash off. So it clearly has corrosive properties though everything that I have had that was in brief contact with it has been fine.

Fish said:

I had my bottle of Star San out on the counter and the 6 year old came up and squoze it. Now there is a little ring on the counter that looks like it was burned in and won't wash off. So it clearly has corrosive properties though everything that I have had that was in brief contact with it has been fine.

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Right that's why you mix it with a set amount of water. Right out of the bottle that stuff is nasty.

Yeah, I was a little sloppy. I probably did 3-4 gal per oz. just to be sure. Also, my drain body is probably a low level SS as there is no discoloring with my SS sink.

Guess I'll get tighter on the measuring.

I also use a spray bottle with distilled water. I thought I read here this should be a stronger solution of star-san to water, right? Or should it be mixed the same ratio (1 oz/5 gal)?

gonzo brewer said:

Yeah, I was a little sloppy. I probably did 3-4 gal per oz. just to be sure. Also, my drain body is probably a low level SS as there is no discoloring with my SS sink.

Guess I'll get tighter on the measuring.

I also use a spray bottle with distilled water. I thought I read here this should be a stronger solution of star-san to water, right? Or should it be mixed the same ratio (1 oz/5 gal)?

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It's the same.

yep, same ratio. yes, star-san is corrosive, its an ACID sanitizer. pH of 4.1 when mixed to solution...so I can only imagine what the undiluted pH might be.

Fish said:

I had my bottle of Star San out on the counter and the 6 year old came up and squoze it. Now there is a little ring on the counter that looks like it was burned in and won't wash off. So it clearly has corrosive properties though everything that I have had that was in brief contact with it has been fine.

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Heh......."squoze"

Fish said:

I had my bottle of Star San out on the counter and the 6 year old came up and squoze it. Now there is a little ring on the counter that looks like it was burned in and won't wash off. So it clearly has corrosive properties though everything that I have had that was in brief contact with it has been fine.

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Whoah man, keep the little ones away from the Star-san! God forbid instead of the counter it squirted in his eye or something. I'm sure that would do some damage, no?

I don't let my little nephew anywhere near the Star-san bottle - heck, or even the solution. Maybe I'm overreacting, but better safe than sorry!

As for OP and his sink, no clue... Sounds like you had it mixed a little strong + cheap stainless = stained. At least it was 'cheap' stainless though; you can get another one. "SWMBO is not thrilled..." Haha...

All acids are harmful to the eye, with the one notable exception of boric acid. Star San is mostly phosphoric acid.

hahahahaha i just realized "squoze" was supposed to be the past tense of squeeze!

I bought some Star San in Portland because it's cheaper than where I live. The airport confiscated it out of my checked luggage because it was deemed corrosive and hazardous. What a waste!

ericmsteen said:

I bought some Star San in Portland because it's cheaper than where I live. The airport confiscated it out of my checked luggage because it was deemed corrosive and hazardous. What a waste!

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Almost as wasteful as posting in a 3 year old thread.



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