Help: Out of Star-San - Need to Keg

[mcdeadstein]

So I really wanted to Keg and force carb a hybrid cider/ale so that It would be ready by xmas.

I have no Star-San and No Homebrew shops in Pittsburgh are open today (monday) that i know of.


Anyone use Sani-Tabs??? I can get some from a bar near me.

 

[TipsyDragon]

well the name implies that they do sanitize. the only way you will find out if you can get them is to go around to bars and ask. we cant really read their minds from here.


im sure a store around there somewhere has good old bleach you can use. just make sure you dilute it properly.

 

[wildwest450]

Chicken and waffles.

 

[mcdeadstein]

I thought bleach was a no-no for kegs?

I have used Sani-tabs in the restaurant industry but not in a beer brewing application.


I also considered that I had a pale ale in the keg previously and that it is still in the fridge and under pressure. Maybe just pop it open and fill with the cider/ale mix knowing that the previous sanitization worked?

 

[TipsyDragon]

I also considered that I had a pale ale in the keg previously and that it is still in the fridge and under pressure. Maybe just pop it open and fill with the cider/ale mix knowing that the previous sanitization worked?

thats an idea. as long as the keg has stayed sealed all this time it should still be sanitized on the inside. but you may get some pale ale taste in your new brew.

 

[Rushis]

You can easily get an the medical version of Iodophor. Look at your local pharmacy for Betadine or a generic Povidone Iodine solution. You will need to calculate the appropriate 12 ppm solution based on the concentration of available iodine. IIRC for most commerical betadine, you are looking at 1 tbsp per gallon, but that number could be off.

For better or worse, I have been using Betadine as my sanitizer for the past few months and have had no problems.

 

[arturo7]

You can always try sanitizing with urine.

I think there's a thread on that around here somewhere... (evil smiley face here)

 

[jtlawlor]

What about a cup of vodka... then pour another cup of cheap vodka in the keg!!

 

[mcdeadstein]

You can easily get an the medical version of Iodophor. Look at your local pharmacy for Betadine or a generic Povidone Iodine solution. You will need to calculate the appropriate 12 ppm solution based on the concentration of available iodine. IIRC for most commerical betadine, you are looking at 1 tbsp per gallon, but that number could be off.

For better or worse, I have been using Betadine as my sanitizer for the past few months and have had no problems.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[buffalobrewer]

tractor supply (if you have one near you) should have gentle iodine solution, much cheaper than iodophor, and is basically the same thing.http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock/livestock-health/livestock-wound-care/dionne-gentle-iodine-1-1-gal-2209723

 

[Rushis]

tractor supply (if you have one near you) should have gentle iodine solution, much cheaper than iodophor, and is basically the same thing.http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock/livestock-health/livestock-wound-care/dionne-gentle-iodine-1-1-gal-2209723

"Gentle Iodine" solutions sometimes have isopropanol here's another reference. It may be prudent to make sure that the Dionne brand doesn't containing isopropanol. Sorry I couldn't find the MSDS for this particular brand off hand.

I'll have too look into the farm supply store nearby, that gentle iodine solution would be far cheaper than the Betadine solutions assuming it has a similar shelf life and concentration.

Betadine uses a similar, if the not the exact same, polymeric carrier that some other Iodophor manufacturers use to make a aqueous solution. Historical note: The original Iodophor was iodine tincture that was acidified with phosphoric acid.

 

[WortMonger]

You can use a simple and effective homemade no-rinse sanitizer, talked about on a podcast by Star-San's inventor Charlie Talley. Here she is, and works great. I use this when I run out of Star-San.

 

[samc]

So you want to sanitize a keg and are out of everything - boil a large pot of water, dump into keg and seal. Roll keg around on floor wearing oven mitts. Nothing is going to survive that heat/steam bath except maybe some mad cow. Make sure to bleed pressure before opening.

simple, cheap & hot

 

[JimE]

I have researched Sanitabs at their website. It should be good... I wouldn't use them until you get confirmation from folks who have used them.

 

[springer]

I have to say this ..... would one day make a difference anyway? just get the stuff today.

 

[buffalobrewer]

"Gentle Iodine" solutions sometimes have isopropanol here's another reference. It may be prudent to make sure that the Dionne brand doesn't containing isopropanol. Sorry I couldn't find the MSDS for this particular brand off hand.

I'll have too look into the farm supply store nearby, that gentle iodine solution would be far cheaper than the Betadine solutions assuming it has a similar shelf life and concentration.

Betadine uses a similar, if the not the exact same, polymeric carrier that some other Iodophor manufacturers use to make a aqueous solution. Historical note: The original Iodophor was iodine tincture that was acidified with phosphoric acid.

I checked the bottle when I got home and it looks like they are stocking Ideal Animal Health Gentle Iodine now. The label says no alcohol, and the only active ingredient is the iodine. Searched for a msds for this product and could not find one online. 1% concentration and the expiration date is 10/12 (just bought it a week ago). From the "sound" (and by no means is that to be demeaning) you seem knowledgeable about these types of products do you feel any danger from this product? Mfg by neogen corp.

thanks,
Mike

 

[addis29]

tractor supply (if you have one near you) should have gentle iodine solution, much cheaper than iodophor, and is basically the same thing.http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock/livestock-health/livestock-wound-care/dionne-gentle-iodine-1-1-gal-2209723

That's exactly what I use all the time

 

[Rushis]

1% concentration and the expiration date is 10/12 (just bought it a week ago). From the "sound" (and by no means is that to be demeaning) you seem knowledgeable about these types of products do you feel any danger from this product? Mfg by neogen corp.

This brand? No alcohol and water-based solution, it should be fine for santizing in the proper concentration. If you're concerned about it, and are skeptical of random internet users suggetion , I would shoot an email to the manufacturer. They should be able to tell what the inert ingredients in the product or provide you the MSDS.

What dilutions does everyone use for these iodophors?

I've been using 1tsp per gal of Betadine (1% titratable iodine), which should get me to around 12.5 ppm. Is this close to what anyone else uses?