PBW substitute

[FloppyKnockers]

And FWIW, the Lysol no-rinse sanitizer is also a different active ingredient (quaternary ammonium) that sanitizes in a different way.

Follow-up question. What is Star-San's active ingredient and how does it differ?

Honest question... really want to know.

 

[Wayne1]

From a previous post by @beerclean

"Quat(Quaternary Ammonium) is a great all purpose sanitizer, the only problem is its terrible on beer glasses. Quat will leave a coating behind or a film that prevents the glass from having a proper lacing effect. Steramine is a quat based product.

This will also kill the beer head quite fast and make it dissipate. I would recommend the Iodophor for sanitizing. I personally use B-T-F Iodophor, but Starsan is also a good product.

Products similar to steramine if you read are "general" or "all purpose sanitizers". Due to the fact that they are cheap people tend to use them without understanding the issues it may cause on the beer collar."

From https://brewerycleaners.com/brewery-cleaning-products/#sanitizers:

"This quaternary ammonium based sanitizer can be used in the brewery for area sanitization. Walls, tank exteriors, floors, and drains are easily sanitized with this quat; however, be careful not to use this product on beer contact surfaces, including interiors of storage tanks, tap lines, and glasses. The residual presence of sanitizer, can have negative effects on your brew."

In general it is safe practice NOT to use Quat on surfaces that touch beer.

Star-San is what is known as an Acid Anionic sanitizer. Just about any chemical company offers a product either similar or exactly the same as Star San.

They are usually around 50% of 75% phosphoric acid and 15% dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid.

The way it works is the phosphoric acid weakens the cell walls enough that the dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid can then penetrate the cell and kill it off.

At one point,early in my brewing career, I did work for Five Star as director of brewery services.

At the brewpub I work for now, we are using a built caustic and a nitric/phosphoric acid blend for soil removal in the brewhouse and either a non-foaming acid anionic or peracetic acid for sanitizing

 

[FloppyKnockers]

You had me at dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid.

Lots of good info. Thank you for that. I don't use Lysol for sanitizing barware - that's just weird. I don't really sanitize taps or lines either. Just clean them with BLC. I do sanitize fermenters and kegs with it though and haven't noticed any head-killing problems.

I think I need to experiment with this. Either sanitize kegs with one of each sanitizer and compare. Or easier yet, wet the inside of a glass with one of each solution and pour a beer.

Once again I will take one for the team and drink beer for science!

 

[mac_1103]

The way it works is the phosphoric acid weakens the cell walls enough that the dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid can then penetrate the cell and kill it off.

I think it may be the other way around. Dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid is a surfactant. Surfactants disrupt lipid membranes. Then the acid can get inside.

 

[Wayne1]

That could very well be. It is roughly 25 years since I was at Five Star and my memory is not the best. I do remember that one disrupts the membrane and the other kills it off.

 

[mac_1103]

It is roughly 25 years since I was at Five Star and my memory is not the best.

My memory for 25 years ago is often better than my memory for 25 minutes ago.

 

[redrocker652002]

So, to dumb it down to my level, Starsan or Iodophor is the prefered sanitizer instead of the Lysol? I don't mind either way as I want to make sure my equipment is clean and sanitized right.

 

[whoaru99]

...

 

[whoaru99]

So, to dumb it down to my level, Starsan or Iodophor is the prefered sanitizer instead of the Lysol? I don't mind either way as I want to make sure my equipment is clean and sanitized right.

Preferred is a subjective thing. I prefer StarSan because that's what I've used and developed confidence in.

For the amount/frequency I brew, there isn't a strongly compelling reason for me to change to something else.

 

[DuncB]

I'm not sure if the QATS are no rinse sanitisers, starsan is a no rinse sanitiser which is in it's favour.

 

[Bramling Cross]

I think it's really similar. Looks and smells the same, just not nearly as aggressive on the smell.

Appreciate it, I'll certainly give the Lysol a shot.

 

[mac_1103]

I'm not sure if the QATS are no rinse sanitisers

The active ingredient in Lysol Professional No Rinse Sanitizer is a quaternary ammonium salt.

 

[Snuffy]

StarSan smells like a wet fart and foams up too much for me. I go with Lysol no-rinse sanitizer now. ~$13 $20 a gallon and works just as well IMO.

Is the foam scary?

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Is the foam scary?

It's friggin' terrifying!

 

[DuncB]

Reminds me my Grandmother visited many years ago and put washing machine powder in the dishwasher.

The kitchen was nearly knee deep in foam when we discovered it.