Beginner's Star San question

[jgalak]

This would probably have been better asked before brewing than after, but it's been bugging me ever since.

Does one really dilute Star San as much as I think? The instructions say 1 oz per 5 gallon. I am using it in a squirt bottle that holds 32 oz. By my math, that means I need 1/20 oz of Star San. Since the little measuring "cup" in the bottle only goes to 1/4 oz, I converted 1/20 oz and found it's about 1.5 mL. I used a medicine dropper to add 1.5 mL to the squirt bottle.

The stuff did foam, not hugely but enough to cover everything, so I'm guessing it's ok, I'm just surprised by how little of it I ended up using. Am I missing something or just being an overly paranoid first-time brewer?

Thanks,
Juliean.

 

[unionrdr]

Mine has two measures,1/4oz & 1/2oz. About 3/4's of the way up to the 1/4oz mark is just right for one gallon of water. So you really don't need much,as it is concentrated. I bought the small 8oz bottle right after my first batch a couple years ago,& I still have some 3/4's of it. A little goes a long way. I also use a wide spout radiator filling funnel with coffee filters to clean it up now & then. Gets out grainy bits,pet dander,etc. And as long as it's PH is 3 or less,it's still good...cloudy or not.

 

[grathan]

In usually make the spray bottle stronger than 5 gallons batches. I thought it says 2oz or something per 5 gallons not 1 oz.

 

[unionrdr]

Oopse,yeah that's a touch much. 1oz per 5 gallons of water. I just top off the spray bottle now & then from the 1 gallon SunnyD jugs I keep my Starsan & PBW in. The SunnyD jugs are thicker & sturdier plastic than milk jugs & will last a bit over a year.

 

[matt08wrx]

When im filling up a bucket of star san to sanitize things for brew I just put my spray bottle in the bucket and fill it up before I start sanitizing things.

 

[jgalak]

I used the spray to sanitize the bucket. Is this wrong? Do I need to fill it with sanitizer? I just sprayed the heck out of the bucket, covered all the surfaces, and then let it sit there for a while. Then did it a second time.

 

[therackman]

This would probably have been better asked before brewing than after, but it's been bugging me ever since.

Does one really dilute Star San as much as I think? The instructions say 1 oz per 5 gallon. I am using it in a squirt bottle that holds 32 oz. By my math, that means I need 1/20 oz of Star San. Since the little measuring "cup" in the bottle only goes to 1/4 oz, I converted 1/20 oz and found it's about 1.5 mL. I used a medicine dropper to add 1.5 mL to the squirt bottle.

The stuff did foam, not hugely but enough to cover everything, so I'm guessing it's ok, I'm just surprised by how little of it I ended up using. Am I missing something or just being an overly paranoid first-time brewer?

Thanks,
Juliean.

I did this same process to make a spray bottle and had the same thoughts as you. Everything worked out ok. I usually make a 2.5 gallon batch to sanitize buckets, but if making a smaller amount, the steps you took should be fine.

 

[chicken]

I used the spray to sanitize the bucket. Is this wrong? Do I need to fill it with sanitizer? I just sprayed the heck out of the bucket, covered all the surfaces, and then let it sit there for a while. Then did it a second time.

Spraying is fine. That's what many of us do. As long as you spray thoroughly enough to get surfaces wet, you're fine.

 

[mikescooling]

I just use it for preparing carboys and kegs. Then they sit, waiting to be used. When I bottle I also use it. It's nice/cheaper to buy it by the gallon.

 

[rydia131]

Thanks to the OP for asking this question because i had some things ive been wondering about star san and this helped.
I had a question too...how long will star san hold its sanitizing properties? I was curious because it seems handy to have it in a spray bottle for when you run hydrometer tests for a couple days in a row. Thanks

 

[JohnSand]

I think I figured 1/8 tspn- 13.3 oz in my pint spray bottle. I've heard that some refridgerate it? Mine is on the hutch with other brew supplies.

 

[unionrdr]

I just leave my spray bottle of starsan in the fermenter stand/storage unit with my other stuff. Stays clear longer than the stuff in the jug does.

 

[Euphist]

My water is pretty hard here, so when it's time for me to make a new batch of starsan, I just pick up a gallon of distilled water. It seems to last almost forever made with the distilled...