StarSan Question

I used a spray bottle with Star San last week and did not use all of it. It's still sitting in the bottle...diluted. Will it still be effective this week from that spray bottle or do I need to dump and dilute a fresh bottle full with hot water / stasan for my brew this weekdend?

thx

I think it will be fine. I that all the time. If you're concerned you can check the ph. I believe their website lists the effective ph range.

A general rule is if it is still clear, it is good. Cloudy is bad. Stability will depend on the makeup water. If your tap water is alkaline, the solution will go bad faster. I make my dilutions with distilled water and use it for a month or more.

Did you use distilled/RO water in the bottle. If so, and since it is sealed you are good for weeks if not months.

Right on. Thanks Guys!

Revvy - It was tap water.....I've got a Gallon of distilled for my Humidor though so maybe I'l mix up a new batch and put a date on it.

VAShooter said:

Revvy - It was tap water.....I've got a Gallon of distilled for my Humidor though so maybe I'l mix up a new batch and put a date on it.

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Then keep an eye out for cloudiness...you'll only gonna get a few days til it's useless. Best to use RO/Distilled water. No minerals for it to react to.

Using tap water, mine was cloudy as soon as it was mixed.

it can still be effective if cloudy which is why they suggest checking ph to be sure

The price of pH strips is as much as 100's of litres of star-san. I will just make a fresh batch when it goes cloudy.

I dilute mine at the recommended dosage with distilled water and check the PH level each time I reuse it, and mine stays 3 or below for months. I have a batch that I made on 1/7/11 and its still at an effective PH range as of today 3/12/11.

Just curious, but would the same strategy work for Iodophor?

moxie said:

Just curious, but would the same strategy work for Iodophor?

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No iirc correctly iodophors are not acid based therefore the ph of it is irrevelent. Go by color, if it goes from straw to clear, it has ceased to be effective.

You'll find a lot of good info/tips to effective sanitization here; https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/sanitizer-question-54932/ . In there are links to the basic brewing episode on effect iodophor usage as well as a great pdf on sanitizing with iodophor in the food service industry.

VAShooter said:

I used a spray bottle with Star San last week and did not use all of it. It's still sitting in the bottle...diluted. Will it still be effective this week from that spray bottle or do I need to dump and dilute a fresh bottle full with hot water / stasan for my brew this weekdend?

thx

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I only brew Spring & Fall. In between, my existing batch of Star San mix sits in the gallon jug and also in the spray bottle. I have never thrown it out and made fresh, I only make it when I need more. I have never had a problem doing it this way.