Galvanized paint stirrer danger?

[Boobie207]

I brewed today and used a galvanized paint stirrer to aerate for the first time. Before using the stirrer i put it in a bucket of starsan to sanitize. When i took it out it was all black. I'm assuming the zinc dissolved in the acidic satarsan. I was able to wipe it down and got some black residue off. I used the stirrer to aerate the wort but now i am second guessing myself. Is it safe to use? Is my starsan full of zinc now? Could this be dangerous? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[ButcherBoy]

I'm not a chemist or metallurgist, but there is no way I would use anything galvanized for brewing. At the very least I would be afraid of off flavors, at worst some toxic effect. Give me stainless, glass, or food grade plastic.

 

[mainiac]

According to the FDA: http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/RetailFoodProtection/FoodCode/ucm188064.htm (4-101.15 Galvanized Metal, Use Limitation.)

Galvanized utensils should not come in contact with 'acidic foods' . . . and wort is acidic, so I would not recommend.

 

[jbb3]

I brewed today and used a galvanized paint stirrer to aerate for the first time. Before using the stirrer i put it in a bucket of starsan to sanitize. When i took it out it was all black. I'm assuming the zinc dissolved in the acidic satarsan. I was able to wipe it down and got some black residue off. I used the stirrer to aerate the wort but now i am second guessing myself. Is it safe to use? Is my starsan full of zinc now? Could this be dangerous? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

I did a similar thing. But in my case, I left the paint stirrer in a bucket of starsan for several days due to oversight. Once I found it, the starsan had a very metalic/almost sulfur smell to it. I disposed of the startsan and used the paint stirrer on the next batch. i just make sure not to leave it in the starsan for more than a few minutes.

BTW, I don't think the finish on my paint stirrer was galvanized. But whatever it was, the starsan eat it up...

 

[madscientist451]

Just one word....Plastics

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSxihhBzCjk[/ame]

 

[jbb3]

Just one word....Plastics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSxihhBzCjk

Great movie! LOL...

Actually my paint stirrer has a PLASTIC end with a metal shaft...

 

[wilserbrewer]

I would "guess" that the alcohol in your beer presents more danger than the trace amounts of the beneficial mineral zinc that may have gotten in your beer.

Just a guess from a guy on HBT, might want to find someone more qualified.

 

[Owly055]

I'm not the least concerned about galvanized paint stirrers ............ the acidity of wort is trivial, and your contact time is very brief in any case. I put mine in the oven to sterilize it.

 

[Boobie207]

Thank you all for the feedback. I'm still debating if I want to keep the beer or throw it out. I'm not as concerned about the zinc as I am about other dangerous metals that might have been in the coating, like lead. I might try to test the beer for lead if I can find a kit that would work. I'm really hoping I don't have to toss a whole batch.

 

[Menhir]

I would just stop using the galvanized stirrer in the future. It's doubtful that using it once will give you heavy metal poisoning but continued exposure could be a problem, especially if lead and cadmium are in the mixture.