Star San as a Nutrient

[Hockeyhunter99]

Yes, Revvy, i searched this.

i was wondering if starsan can be used as a yeast nutrient when trying to harvest yeast.

i know that starsan breaks down into nutrient but to actually use it as a nutrient, i just don't know

 

[ShakerD]

It will actually kill your yeast if it comes in direct undiluted contact with it.

 

[Skyforger]

Alternatively, you could try using nutrient as nutrient.

Two possible problems I see are a) I'm not sure how fast the breakdown is, or what influences it; and b) you might have a messed-up pH.

 

[Hockeyhunter99]

i have it diluted to the specified amount for sanitation. but i just thought i would ask. i don't have nutrient readily available and i was just a topic that a friend and i were discussing. thought i would get the general opinion.

 

[ShakerD]

Sorry by undiluted I meant sanitation strength and not straight out of the bottle.

By dilution I meant when the wort contacts it and it's no longer at sanitation strength.

You can order yeast nutrient on ebay for cheap. I always use THIS GUY he is fast and good to deal with.

Cheers

 

[Nokitchen]

i have it diluted to the specified amount for sanitation. but i just thought i would ask. i don't have nutrient readily available and i was just a topic that a friend and i were discussing. thought i would get the general opinion.

Calling the breakdown of Star-San a yeast nutrient isn't exactly wrong but it's a bit of an exaggeration. It's very useful for convincing people not to fear the foam but using it as a sole nutrient is a mistake. The main ingredient in Star-San is phosphoric acid. Phosphorus is good for yeast and is indeed a nutrient, but the main nutrient that yeast in wort needs is nitrogen, which Star-San lacks. DAP provides that nitrogen; the phosphorus is just a bonus.