How long is starsan good once mixed?

[Tennessee]

I got a bucket full, no lid, in my basement and it has been there for a week or so. Time to mix up a new batch?

 

[ErieShores]

Does it foam? That's my rule.

 

[JasonInBTR]

Cloudiness I believe is the tell-tale sign that starsan has lost it's effectiveness. I have kept uncovered buckets of starsan for a month or more.

Jason

 

[kc.rkitek]

As long as the Ph is about 3.0, it's still good. I've heard people pitch it when it gets cloudy, but mine was cloudy when I first made it. I got some cheap test strips and now I just check the acidity occasionally.

 

[Tennessee]

It is cloudy...will have to check the foamy-ness.
Thanks!

 

[JasonInBTR]

Effectiveness of the surfactant (foam) and effectiveness of the acid are two different things. Not sure of the half life of each compound.

 

[stevo155]

Tap water or distilled water? I wouldn't trust it unless you can test it.

Also when I brew, I only make a small amount instead of a full bucket and fill a spray bottle to sanitize some things. When I santizie the carboy, I put about a quart in and shake it up. This was you use less on brew day and the jug will last you a long time.

 

[ultravista]

I make one gallon at a time with distilled water. I keep some in a spray bottle and the gallon jug has lasted two brews so far. I believe I can get another batch out of this gallon jug. It was made in November 2010.

The solution is still crystal clear.

 

[paraordnance]

Never use tap water to make Star San solution. Only RO water, this way it will stay clear and effective for years

 

[MikeMayhem]

i waste too much star-san. i plan to change my methods.

 

[jlarsen625]

I make a new 5-gallon batch every time I brew, or about every 2 weeks. Between that I keep the bucket sitting around for whatever I need and I've never had a sanitation issue in my life.

 

[Homercidal]

I used tap water to make my star san and it goes cloudy quickly. I once mixed it in a 3 quart jug with RO/Distilled water and just recently found it. It was still perfectly clear and usable. I will never mix with tap water again. I can mix up 2 gallons at brew time (if I am running low) and top off my jug and use it to refill my spray bottle. I can see using it for MONTHS before having to mix up more.

The only reason I mix up 2 gallons is because it's easier to measure. I really only need to make 3 quarts at a time. I can see a new container of Starsan would last YEARS if I was only a bit more smarter on how I stored and used it.

 

[wedge421]

Yeah I use tapwater and always get a cloudiness. I keep a spray bottle of it around for months on end. Guess ill have to go to DI water

 

[Toga]

I use tap water.......i'm on a well and it stays clear for a long time. I however unlike most mix up a new batch every time I need some to be safe. It is a cheap way to safeguard your brew taking in to account all the time and effort put into making a batch of malty goodness.

 

[flabyboy]

I make one gallon at a time with distilled water. I keep some in a spray bottle and the gallon jug has lasted two brews so far. I believe I can get another batch out of this gallon jug. It was made in November 2010.

The solution is still crystal clear.

+ 1. This is exactly what I do. Distilled water is a must, because minerals in spring or tap water will decrease its shelf life

 

[NorthRiverS]

Ro ?

Nrs

 

[IffyG]

RO= Reverse Osmosis

I usually make up 5 gallons in tap water on brew days and discard it when I'm done, but I do keep a gallon of distilled water/star san under the sink for miscellaneous sanitizing that needs to be done between brew days.

 

[JWest]

I think the biggest factor is the pH. If it's 3 or below, it's still effective.