Sanitizer

[Bopper]

How many uses to do you typically use sanitizer. Do you throw it away after one batch or do you reuse it?

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

It depends on what type of sanitizer you're talking about. I usually mix up a batch of Star-San when I start a brew and it lasts for the lifecycle (through bottling/kegging).

 

[cweston]

I buy iodophor in gallon containers very cheaply from a farm supply store, so I don't generally bother saving it unless I know I'm going to need it the next day or something.

 

[El Pistolero]

I buy iodophor in gallon containers very cheaply from a farm supply store

I thought that stuff from the farm supply store had glycerin in it.

 

[cweston]

I thought that stuff from the farm supply store had glycerin in it.

Some of it does--if it's labeled as "udder balm" it probably does have othger stuff in it.

What I buy is labeled as "iodophor disinfectant" or something like that--it's the same stuff as BTF or whatever the HBS brand is.

 

[RichBrewer]

I buy iodophor in gallon containers very cheaply from a farm supply store, so I don't generally bother saving it unless I know I'm going to need it the next day or something.

OMG gallon? I purchased a pint bottle from my LHBS quite awhile ago and I think it will last me another 10 years. 1 Tsp. will make 4 gallons of no rinse sanitizer.

 

[cweston]

OMG gallon? I purchased a pint bottle from my LHBS quite awhile ago and I think it will last me another 10 years. 1 Tsp. will make 4 gallons of no rinse sanitizer.

It might be a half gallon, but I think it's a gallon.

FWIW, mine mixes to 12.5 ppm with 1 TBSPN per 5 gallons water. Maybe yours is more concentrated? 1 TBSPN is 3 TSPs, so you're talking about a considerably more diluted mixture unless your iodophor is more concentrated.

(Either way: yes, a gallon is one hell of a lot.)

 

[Lost]

I use star san and have kept it for a month or more. It seems to stay active for quite sometime. As long as the ph stays below 3 it'll work fine. Use distilled water or acidify your water with some lactic acid to make sure you get the ph low, it seems to keep longer this way.

I've mixed up small batches of it and kept it in a jug under the sink for use in a spray bottle. I'm now mixing up a full sized batch and storing it in my old plastic primary (gotta find some use for it).

No rinse was one of those things that made brewing so much easier... I'd never go back to bleach but that's just me.

edit: I wouldn't do this with iodophor.. I believe it'll keep a day or two at most if you store it right.

 

[Bopper]

Thanks for the advice...I've been dumping mine after every batch and mixing new for botteling...I am blowing through the stuff... I am always worrieda bout contamination an dnever wanted to take chances...I think I'll use my old plastic primary to keep as well.

Thanks again,

Jim

 

[boo boo]

I use star san and have kept it for a month or more. It seems to stay active for quite sometime. As long as the ph stays below 3 it'll work fine. Use distilled water or acidify your water with some lactic acid to make sure you get the ph low, it seems to keep longer this way.

I've mixed up small batches of it and kept it in a jug under the sink for use in a spray bottle. I'm now mixing up a full sized batch and storing it in my old plastic primary (gotta find some use for it).

No rinse was one of those things that made brewing so much easier... I'd never go back to bleach but that's just me.

edit: I wouldn't do this with iodophor.. I believe it'll keep a day or two at most if you store it right.

I still use bleach to clean with in addition to oxyclean etc.but use star-san to sanitize. I have 2 oz left from a 8 oz bottle I bought last year. Star-san lasts a long time if kept below 3 PH

 

[Lost]

Yeah, I use bleach sometimes for tough cleaning jobs. That, onestep, and bar keepers friend (for stainless). Sorry if my post was unclear, I do think bleach is a great cleaner.. I just don't think it's a practical product for sanitizing.