funny smelling starsan

[HItransplant]

hey all,

When I first became aware of the wonder that is StarSan, I went out to Ace to find a heavy duty spray bottle that would allow to always have some on hand for spritzing here and there.

When I got to ace, they had the "heavy duty" trigger style spray bottles (maybe a liter), or they had the pump and spray (with the wand) in a convenient 1/2 gallon size... and, it was only a dollar more than the trigger style.


I noticed the first batch of starsan that I put in the tank started to stink.. a sulfury odor...the next time I used it (maybe a month later). I figured it was just new bottle stink so I dumped that batch, washed the tank thoroughly, and remixed... same smell a month or so later.

has anyone experienced this?

Im just worried its pulling some chemical out of the bottle, since the starsan I keep in a big water jug doesnt stink.


thoughts?

 

[RiverCityBrewer]

I've noticed the smell before as well... I use spray bottles but have noticed no adverse effects that I can attribute to the odor.

 

[Shooter]

I've noticed the smell before as well... I use spray bottles but have noticed no adverse effects that I can attribute to the odor.

I have too. If you have a ph strip you can test it and see if it's still within range. If so, I wouldn't worry about it.

Now, if it was Nottingham yeast and it smelled funny. Well, THEN you'd have a problem!!!

 

[SourHopHead]

Noticed here since I got the new bottle and haven't seen any problems.

 

[HItransplant]

so you guys are noticing the same smell with the trigger style spray bottles too?

 

[Shooter]

Not so much in the bottle, but I keep a bucket of it on hand and sometimes notice it can have a slight sulfer odor when I open it, nothing overpowering, but it's there.

 

[brewtus_]

Star San contains some sulfur in the form of an organosulfonic acid. I would suppose if some has decomposed into sulfur compounds (sulfur oxides or mercaptides), you could get some sulfury smells; however, I'm not sure what would be causing decomposition. Does your mix water contain sulfur or have any sulfury smells? Try ixing with distilled water and see if you notice the same smell.

 

[HItransplant]

Star San contains some sulfur in the form of an organosulfonic acid. I would suppose if some has decomposed into sulfur compounds (sulfur oxides or mercaptides), you could get some sulfury smells; however, I'm not sure what would be causing decomposition. Does your mix water contain sulfur or have any sulfury smells? Try ixing with distilled water and see if you notice the same smell.

the difference seems to be the storage vessel. In my large 1 gal water bottle (from the store but mixed using tap water), no smell. If I use the same water and put it in the sprayer.. then I get the smell. It has something to do with the type of plastic the sprayer is made of... maybe not as inert as the crystal geyser water bottle from safeway.

i guess thats why im concerned.. im worried its leeching something that im then spraying in my brew (basically).

 

[Shooter]

Hmm, not sure what to tell you. I mix mine with distilled water and do get a hint of sulfur sometimes, but I also put some of that same mix into a heavy duty Ace sprayer and it doesn't smell any different then the stuff in the bucket.

 

[brewtus_]

Does the sprayer have any o-rings (or other components) that are made of EPDM rubber or other thermoset plastic that is in contact with the Star San solution?

 

[HItransplant]

Im sure it has o-rings in it..

 

[brewtus_]

The o-rings might be the issue. If they're flouropolymer (not likely due to the cost) you probably wouldn't see much of an issue. Problem is that EPDM and Hypalon, which are often used in o-rings, are often cured with sulfur compounds and can give off residual sulfur containing biproducts during the curing process. These biproducts may end up being extracted into your Star San solution. The fact that you're seeing it over time only in the pump sprayer and not in a small trigger sprayer is pointing to this theory (assuming you're using the same dilution ratio, water and StarSan concenttrate in both).

 

[HItransplant]

The o-rings might be the issue. If they're flouropolymer (not likely due to the cost) you probably wouldn't see much of an issue. Problem is that EPDM and Hypalon, which are often used in o-rings, are often cured with sulfur compounds and can give off residual sulfur containing biproducts during the curing process. These biproducts may end up being extracted into your Star San solution. The fact that you're seeing it over time only in the pump sprayer and not in a small trigger sprayer is pointing to this theory (assuming you're using the same dilution ratio, water and StarSan concenttrate in both).

hmm. interesting.

the other jug is just a jug, not a sprayer.

anything that can be done, replace o-rings?

 

[brewtus_]

Not sure if you can break down the sprayer to get to the o-rings, most of those pump plungers are sealed. If you can, you could try using o-rings that contain no sulfur, but you're probably taking on more than it's worth. If your sprayer looks like the one I use for weed killer, there is a rubber flap on the bottom of the pump piston. Probably won't be able to replace this with something commercially available.

Maybe you could store your StarSan in a separate storage container and just add it to your sprayeras needed on brew day and discard any leftovers.

 

[brewtus_]

hmm. interesting.

the other jug is just a jug, not a sprayer.

anything that can be done, replace o-rings?

Not sure if you can break down the sprayer to get to the o-rings, most of those pump plungers are sealed. If you can, you could try using o-rings that contain no sulfur, but you're probably taking on more than it's worth. If your sprayer looks like the one I use for weed killer, there is a rubber flap on the bottom of the pump piston. Probably won't be able to replace this with something commercially available.

Maybe you could store your StarSan in a separate storage container and just add it to your sprayeras needed on brew day and discard any leftovers.

 

[Broncobum]

I used to keep my spray bottle full of starsan, but also noticed the sulfur-y smoky smell. I now keep it in the homer bucket and fill the sprayer on brew day. No more smell.
This is the spray bottle i use:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[Catt22]

IMO, the mild sulphur odors are the result of a reaction with the tap water minerals. I've noticed it many times. I don't think it's anything to be concerned about and I don't think it has anything to do with the sprayers. Just my observation; nothing more.

 

[HItransplant]

IMO, the mild sulphur odors are the result of a reaction with the tap water minerals. I've noticed it many times. I don't think it's anything to be concerned about and I don't think it has anything to do with the sprayers. Just my observation; nothing more.

well, the next time i mix up some starsan, Ill do it in a gallon of RO water and see if i still get the smell.

thatll clear that up.

thanks for all the suggestions guys.

 

[AnonyBrew]

I used to keep my spray bottle full of starsan, but also noticed the sulfur-y smoky smell. I now keep it in the homer bucket and fill the sprayer on brew day. No more smell.
This is the spray bottle i use:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I have the same spray bottle for starsan and get the exact same smoky smell you are experiencing. I've never worried much about it & still use the sprayer. Anyone know what causes this? I use RO to mix all my starsan.