I Am NOT a Fan Of Star-San

[Sam_92]

Anybody sanitize brown glass bottles in iodophor at bottling? Never tried that and this has me wondering. Would it darken or stain them? Would it be good to use on bottles if it kills on a wider spectrum.

Iodaphor shouldn't stain glass at all if my memory serves me. Also you have to be a little more careful because it's a no-rinse sanitizer only at a particular concentration.

 

[DBhomebrew]

Staining typically requires porosity. One of the benefits of glass is its lack thereof.

 

[Grizwold1]

@MaxStout I always use it diluted to the minimum strength. I still have most of a bottle to use, so I'm stuck with it for the time being.

It's not terribly expensive--throw it away or give it away and get what you like

 

[rallenhall]

My standard procedure is to soak bottles in a bucket of iodophor before placing on a draining rack and going straight to bottling. Have never had a problem. Lengthy contact will stain vinyl and white plastics, put has no affect on glass.

 

[Broothru]

It is indeed a sanitizing acid, food grade and very unlikely to burn at correct dilution

Same company makes Saniclean, which does does the same thing, but is non foaming and works much better for use when pumping sanitizing solution, though chillers, CIP, etc. I like the Starsan for some uses also, in applications where foaming is a plus.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/star-saniclean.html

I use both and they both are effective, easy to use, and not hazardous if used as directed in proper dilution. Saniclean is great for CIP and other applications where foaming is not needed or is undesirable. Everything else get Star San. I keep a fresh pint in a spray bottle for quick santizing. Buy each by the quart, once or twice a year.

 

[Golddiggie]

I've used iodophor once so far in a fermenter that had my last batch of cider run through it and it went lower than expected for the FG. Was cheap insurance to make sure everything was good for the following beer going into that fermenter. No issues with the beer that went in after.

I might pick up a bottle when I go to the LHBS today (to get something they special ordered for me, cheaper than getting it from MoreBeer by a good enough amount). That way I'll have it on hand in case I want/need to use it in the future. Since I just picked up the larger (quart) bottle of Starsan, I won't run out of that anytime soon.

 

[Broothru]

I've used iodophor once so far in a fermenter that had my last batch of cider run through it and it went lower than expected for the FG. Was cheap insurance to make sure everything was good for the following beer going into that fermenter. No issues with the beer that went in after.

I might pick up a bottle when I go to the LHBS today (to get something they special ordered for me, cheaper than getting it from MoreBeer by a good enough amount). That way I'll have it on hand in case I want/need to use it in the future. Since I just picked up the larger (quart) bottle of Starsan, I won't run out of that anytime soon.

Speak about not running out any time soon, I've got an almost full quart bottle of Iodaphor left over from my first purchase of brew gear in the early 90s. Used it a few times. Works great but I didn't like the staining of plastic, nor the residual iodine smell (reminded me of numerous cuts and scrapes as a kid).

In fairness, the LHBS guy told me it would last for a long time. He didn't lie.

 

[Golddiggie]

Speak about not running out any time soon, I've got an almost full quart bottle of Iodaphor left over from my first purchase of brew gear in the early 90s. Used it a few times. Works great but I didn't like the staining of plastic, nor the residual iodine smell (reminded me of numerous cuts and scrapes as a kid).

In fairness, the LHBS guy told me it would last for a long time. He didn't lie.

I have stainless conical fermenters, so staining those isn't a concern.

 

[Broothru]

I have stainless conical fermenters, so staining those isn't a concern.

I'm all stainless now, except for some glass and borosilicate, plus a few high temp hoses. I may have to revisit the use of Iodaphor. That stuff probably has a shelf life measured in millennia.

 

[hotbeer]

I use Iodophor too. It's a broader ranging sanitizer and doesn't seem to be affected as much by water pH as does StarSan.

Though if I shake the water/iodophor out of my bottles after sanitizing, they'll be somewhat bubbly inside too.

And whether I use iodophor or StarSan, I toss it the same day. I don't save it for later after mixing.

 

[BrewDrinkRepeat]

I'm not a fan of star san. Mostly because I want to be able to use the same cleaner for plastics as metal and glass.

To be clear, StarSan is NOT a cleaner. It's a sanitizer. And it sanitizes plastic, metal and glass equally well (minus the potential issues with scratches / gouges on plastic items).

Sanitizers and cleaners are very different products... and to be clear, you must clean anything (with a proper cleaning product like PBW, Oxiclean, soap & water, etc.) before you can sanitize.

 

[Plastic Brewkettle]

@MaxStout Hey! Thanks for the hot tip on a pump thingy. That looks like something I could use. Probably solve half to five eighths of my problems.

 

[BrewDrinkRepeat]

Allegedly it breaks down plastic. I don't claim firsthand experience or the scientific background to back up that claim. It's just something I read here from a poster that seemed like they knew the chemistry well enough.

Yes it can... over time. Not in the typical sanitization times (30 seconds to a few minutes). There are no issues whatsoever with sanitizing plastic items with Star San.

I hold on to my Star San from one brewday to the next (typically about two weeks) in an off-the-shelf food grade bucket from Lowes, no issues whatsoever (to the Star San, or the bucket).

I have left vinyl tubing in Star San by accident for a few weeks... had to toss them, as they were "slimy" from the chemical reaction.

 

[RufusBrewer]

I had one of those Vinator pump things, but the cheesy plastic broke after a year or so. Now I just dunk bottles in a bucket of Starsan and drain. Rubber gloves on for that.

Iodophor, in higher concentrations, is a broad spectrum disinfectant. I think it even kills coronaviruses at the right concentration. I seem to recall seeing it on the FDA list of approved disinfectants.

My first Vinator pump I got used, it had been used for a while and it lasted me for several moreyears. I gave it away when I moved. The replacement has Bern fine. One vote for nope on the Vinator , one thumbs up.

Before that, I would put bottles upright in a plastic tote bin and siphon Iodophore or Stars an up to the lip of the bottle to get enough contact time.

As I understand it, Iodophore is kills the fungus type of stuff as well as the germ-like things. Star San kills mostly germy things. How much if a threat is fungus kind if stuff to the home brewer? I do not know.

I have used both products in some cases.

 

[MaxStout]

@MaxStout Hey! Thanks for the hot tip on a pump thingy. That looks like something I could use. Probably solve half to five eighths of my problems.

Load it up with iodophor solution and you'll have the other 3/8-1/2 taken care of.

 

[Brewdog80]

I'm not a fan of star san. Mostly because I want to be able to use the same cleaner for plastics as metal and glass. But I do keep some around for the occasional use and have never noticed any burns.

IT IS NOT A CLEANER. Don't make the simple mistake of trying to clean with a sanitizer.
It won't hurt HDPE, PP, or PET. it comes in a HDPE container so stick with that (almost 100% of your buckets) and you'll be ok

 

[Brewdog80]

OH, I have used idophor for years, and while it works fine, and i actually trust it more, it does stain pretty easily....

 

[BigEd]

Allegedly it breaks down plastic. I don't claim firsthand experience or the scientific background to back up that claim. It's just something I read here from a poster that seemed like they knew the chemistry well enough.

Star-San comes in a plastic (polyethylene) bottle. Plastic used for brew buckets, fermenters, and the like are also polyethylene. There are many different types of plastic but the ones used commonly in homebrewing are just fine with Star-San.

 

[RufusBrewer]

@MaxStout Hey! Thanks for the hot tip on a pump thingy. That looks like something I could use. Probably solve half to five eighths of my problems.

A few pumps and hanging upside down on a bottle tree (also with the $15-$20) is all I need to keep from worry on bottle day.

 

[balrog]

StarSan is indeed a bacteriacide, whilst iodophor and proper concentrations of bleach are broader spectrum.

[Edited as I've been educated and was guilty of repeating incorrect info]

I do a bleach bombing once in a while of fermenters and equipment, with wash & rinse, just so as to feel better about keeping any nasties at bay.

 

[Broothru]

I use Iodophor too. It's a broader ranging sanitizer and doesn't seem to be affected as much by water pH as does StarSan.

Though if I shake the water/iodophor out of my bottles after sanitizing, they'll be somewhat bubbly inside too.

And whether I use iodophor or StarSan, I toss it the same day. I don't save it for later after mixing.

Star San can be saved in a sealed container for "a few days" after mixing. I add about 5 ml into a small pint spray bottle. That roughly works out to the recommended dilution of 1 fl oz per 5 gallons. If I haven't used it up in a week I'll toss it and mix a fresh batch.

As long as the pH is within normal range, it is still an effective sanitizer. In an open soaking tub it'll be depleted in a day. Bottled up in a sprayer it's good for at least a week.

 

[Yesfan]

Biggest complaint from me on StarSan is it dries my hand pretty easy. For the most part, I love it.

For those who use EVA Barrier/Duotight for their gas/beer lines, I've read here Starsan is bad on the Duotight connectors. Seems they crack overtime.

Link

Slightly off topic, if the new style keg disconnects from Kegland are made from the same material as the Duotight fittings, are they going to be prone to cracking from Starsan as well?

 

[BrewZer]

I add about 5 ml into a small pint spray bottle. That roughly works out to the recommended dilution of 1 fl oz per 5 gallons.

4.25 milliliters is the appropriate dilution amount for 92 ounces (2720 ml) of water. You're going in with a huge overdose.

 

[mashpaddled]

I've never had problems using starsan although I can confirm the comment above that concentrated starsan will dissolve the finish on formica countertops.

 

[hout17]

I Am a HUGE Fan Of Star-San

and Saniclean

Lol..

 

[RufusBrewer]

StarSan is indeed a bacteriacide, whilst iodophor and proper concentrations of bleach are broader spectrum.

[Edited as I've been educated and was guilty of repeating incorrect info]

I do a bleach bombing once in a while of fermenters and equipment, with wash & rinse, just so as to feel better about keeping any nasties at bay.

There is a great book called "The Hot Zone" about the early days of ebola virus. The researchers that were at risk to be exposed to ebola, always kept a bottle of bleach handy in case of accidental exposure. These scientists and doctors could use just about anything. They trusted bleach.

I use bleach to clean stuff, then rinse well with tap water. Then follow up with something to wipe out what ever might have ridden in with your tap water. Which I expect is an easy job. Star San or Iodophore will work.

 

[BrewDrinkRepeat]

I Am a HUGE Fan Of Star-San

+1000000000000

IMO it's one of the single-greatest homebrew-related products that has ever existed.

 

[Mr. Vern]

4.25 milliliters is the appropriate dilution amount for 92 ounces (2720 ml) of water. You're going in with a huge overdose.

Any time I get a new bottle I transfer my note for spray bottle and pints

 

[RufusBrewer]

edit. deleted duplicate post

 

[Eddy Monsoon]

4.25 milliliters is the appropriate dilution amount for 92 ounces (2720 ml) of water. You're going in with a huge overdose.

Whats the problem with going over .?