Sanitizer in Starter

[RedGlass]

I was careless when shaking up my starter this morning and caused a little bit of diluted StarSan to backwash from the airlock into the starter wort (I'd estimate it was maybe half an ounce...about 1/4 of the volume of a 3-piece airlock). Can my yeasties live through this or will the sanitizer basically act as poison for them?

 

[maida7]

it will have no effect.

 

[wildwest450]

Your DOOMED! As we speak, the yeasties are being choked to death by your foolish mistake. Or not.

 

[gtpro]

its hard to wrap my head around, but starsan is actually good for the yeast, and will not negatively affect your starter or beer.

 

[ForRealBeer]

You'll probably be okay.

BTW, there's a video floating around somewhere of the founder of 5-Star drinking Star-San. You can probably find it with a search.

 

[kryolla]

I think star-san just lowers the PH of the water to a level that kills bacteria but it doesn't affect yeast including wild yeast

 

[PhelanKA7]

The acidic solution of StarSan is specifically tailored to break down the cell walls of prokaryotic organisms like bacteria and viruses but it's weak enough to have no effect on a eukaryote like yeast. Acids are also good for inhibiting mold spores as well.

 

[mojotele]

On top of all that, as you add wort it dilutes the Star San even more and raises the pH.