How does Star San work?

[Martin30R]

When I first started brewing with my dad (when I was a child), we used bleach to sanitize. This worked fine, but always worried me. Then when I started on my own, I used OneStep. Then I used IODOPHOR for a long while, and I liked it even more.

The more I brew and learn, though ... the more attractive Star San becomes to me. Are there any links for Star San that are similar to this link for IODOPHOR? http://www.bayareamashers.org/content/maindocs/iodophor.htm (I guess really this doesn't talk about how IODOPHOR works at all)

The most I can really find on Star San is here http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/chapter2-2-3.html

I may be looking for something that doesn't exist, and that is okay. So far everything works for me, I just like reading a whole lot about what I'm using. Any pointers?

 

[Revvy]

I put a lot of good info and tips of effectively using sanitizers in here. Including a podcast by the creator of starsan, and one by a rep from iodophor talking about that and more-https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/sanitizer-question-54932/

 

[Martin30R]

Revvy -

That is great! I'll check it out today!

 

[Martin30R]

I also just found these ...

http://www.fivestarchemicals.com/wp-content/uploads/StarSanMSDS.pdf
http://www.fivestarchemicals.com/wp-content/uploads/StarSanTech5.pdf

Plenty to read!

 

[spook]

A while back I came across this brewing network episode called "sanitation with Charlie Talley"
http://thebrewingnetwork.com/shows/The-Sunday-Session/The-Sunday-Session-03-19-06-Sanitation-w/-Charlie-Talley

"Our first official sanitation show. We are joined by Charlie Talley, one of the founders of Five Star Chemical Company. Charlie tells us all the do's and dont's of Star San, Saniclean, Iodiphor and PBW. It's an all around great discussion that dispels many of the myths around sanitizers, and answers many of the questions homebrewers have regarding sanitizing chemicals."

I found it very enlightening.

*edited to add: I use starsan. I used the powder that came in my first homebrew kit for a few batches, and then sprung for one of the larger starsan containers with the built in squeeze/measure/pour thingy. I've never had a problem with it that made me want to look around for another sanitizer but I'd be open to it. One think I like about liquid concentrates is its easy to mix up arbitrary small amounts using an oral syringe to measure. By not mixing up a whole 2.5/5 gallon batch I've really stretched it out. Also I save mixed starsan for multiple uses in an extra corny...

 

[mrkrausen]

After reading http://www.fyurl.com/rr.php?c=2&sit...micals.com/wp-content/uploads/StarSanMSDS.pdf I'm wondering why people say "Don't fear the foam" and rack on top of it? Is it just because the concentration is so low that it is not worth worrying about?

 

[Revvy]

A while back I came across this brewing network episode called "sanitation with Charlie Talley"
http://thebrewingnetwork.com/shows/The-Sunday-Session/The-Sunday-Session-03-19-06-Sanitation-w/-Charlie-Talley

"Our first official sanitation show. We are joined by Charlie Talley, one of the founders of Five Star Chemical Company. Charlie tells us all the do's and dont's of Star San, Saniclean, Iodiphor and PBW. It's an all around great discussion that dispels many of the myths around sanitizers, and answers many of the questions homebrewers have regarding sanitizing chemicals."

I found it very enlightening.

*edited to add: I use starsan. I used the powder that came in my first homebrew kit for a few batches, and then sprung for one of the larger starsan containers with the built in squeeze/measure/pour thingy. I've never had a problem with it that made me want to look around for another sanitizer but I'd be open to it. One think I like about liquid concentrates is its easy to mix up arbitrary small amounts using an oral syringe to measure. By not mixing up a whole 2.5/5 gallon batch I've really stretched it out. Also I save mixed starsan for multiple uses in an extra corny...

There's actually a sticky at the top of the sanitation/equipment part of the forum, that is a complete transcript of the expisode.

 

[Revvy]

After reading http://www.fyurl.com/rr.php?c=2&sit...micals.com/wp-content/uploads/StarSanMSDS.pdf I'm wondering why people say "Don't fear the foam" and rack on top of it? Is it just because the concentration is so low that it is not worth worrying about?

Remember MDS's sheets tend to be writtend by or for LAWYERS to cover their asses....And assets.

The foam and liquid of starsan breaks down into some of the same components in coca cola, and in a sense becomes yeast food.

The purpose of the foam is to bathe EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY of whatever you are trying to sanitize with sanitizer. It is meant to get into every gap, every crevize of things like tap lines, bottling buckets, fermenters that may have shoulders or corners, so that even if no fluid can reach it, usually the foam will.

 

[Hugh_Jass]

DDBSA (the foaming agent in SS) is a profuse foamer. I'd suspect the reason to incorporate it in the formulation is to allow more contact time on vertical surfaces.

 

[day_trippr]

DDBSA (the foaming agent in SS) is a profuse foamer. I'd suspect the reason to incorporate it in the formulation is to allow more contact time on vertical surfaces.

I agree. The foam is simply an artifact of the surfactant, and actually would have more trouble getting into nooks and crannies than the liquid agent...

Cheers!

 

[Revvy]

I agree. The foam is simply an artifact of the surfactant, and actually would have more trouble getting into nooks and crannies than the liquid agent...

Cheers!

Uh, no....Even Talley says it's to reach crevices in the Basic Brewing podcast...as does this from More Beer.

Star San - 8 oz
CL26

Star San is an acid-based sanitizer that is quick, odorless, tasteless and safe for most materials except softer metals. Use of 1 oz per 5 gallons of water and a contact time of 1 minute makes Star San very economical and convenient.

As a high foamer, Star San's foaming action insures coverage and contact time in larger vessels and better penetration into nooks and crannys. Any foam that is left over in your carboy or keg will not harm your beer or you, and is perfectly safe and non-toxic, nor will it impart any flavors or odors. If you plan on making some up for spray application it is best to use distilled or RO water to maximize the life of the unused portion (minerals in tap water reduce the shelf life of Star San once in solution). If a lower foaming alternative is preferred, for bottling or multiple batches, check out Saniclean.

I thinks these pictures show it's a little more than just a "surfactant.'

I'll help a brutha out.

My biggest snake:

My most artistic snake:

My messiest foaming:

-Joe

I've seen 2.5 gallons of starsan foam enough to coat everything else, even the neck or the carboy.

 

[Martin30R]

I know that I am not supposed to fear the foam ... but I have to admit that those pictures make me cringe!

 

[CrankyBeaverBrewery]

Star Stan For Life..