Star San disaster...

[Hang Glider]

yeah, i definitely don't have this problem. Of course, I bought this bottle about a month ago, so maybe their cap design has been improved some time recently?

my caps usually are fine for a few months before they crack...
so I don't know if they've improved any lately -

of course my 32 ounce bottle barely has a dent, so if they fix these caps I won't know it for a long time

 

[gingerdawg]

do you guys have uber strength because my caps are pretty good

I bought the smallest bottles for a long time, and never had one break. I bought the bigger bottle, and the cap busted by just looking at it hard.

EDIT: oh, but of course I DO have uber strength!!

 

[IrregularPulse]

I just received a new 32oz bottle to use once I finsih with my first small bottle. I have about an inch left so it'll be a while before I open it. BMW did however ship the new bottle with the caps wrapped and taped So that is how it sits. I'll save a couple two liter caps for when it's time to open the new one....now if we only drank pop.

 

[pjj2ba]

Definitely recommend replacing the caps with those from soda bottles, or your yeast vials.

I'm surprised that they didn't recommend neutralizing the acid first. That's what I would do. Toss a bunch of baking soda on it. Keep adding until it stops bubbling. Then rinse and rinse and rinse.

As far as acids go, phosphoric is not as bad as some of the others - it is slower acting. Now HCl is pretty nasty, strong and fast acting. Sulfuric is pretty nasty too. Not as quick acting, but really rough on organic materials. If these were at the same concentration as the phosphoric acid in Starsan (concentrate), if I spilled some on my hand, I would be washing it off ASAP! With the Starsan, I wouldn't be quite so urgent. Definitely not good, but there are worse.

 

[gingerdawg]

I'm surprised that they didn't recommend neutralizing the acid first. That's what I would do. Toss a bunch of baking soda on it. Keep adding until it stops bubbling. Then rinse and rinse and rinse.

Throwing baking soda on it might yield more bubbles than you are prepared for. I can just see his F150 with foam oozing out of the windows and doors.

 

[Domminigan]

I'd be willing to pay a little more per bottle for some decent caps, not $5, but 10-50 cents would be fine with me. Shoot, I'd even buy some high quality caps made for the Starsan container for a few bucks if they made them.

 

[Moonlighter]

This is all good info. I'm using Iodophor right now but considering trying Star San because I like the "Squirt Bottle with diluted Star San" idea. Thanks for the heads up; I'll be putting that bottle in an old cake pan on the counter for sure, don't need to be buying new countertops right now!

 

[bob1852]

Throwing baking soda on it might yield more bubbles than you are prepared for. I can just see his F150 with foam oozing out of the windows and doors.

Don't fear the foam?

 

[bovineblitz]

I'd be willing to pay a little more per bottle for some decent caps, not $5, but 10-50 cents would be fine with me. Shoot, I'd even buy some high quality caps made for the Starsan container for a few bucks if they made them.

Apparently caps from soda bottles work just fine.

 

[nutty_gnome]

All you have to do is overtighten it a little bit and the top of the cap pops out in a disc.

Yes. This happened to me. I wish I had a picture of my face when it happened, I was like WFTOMG my new pricey, giant bottle of starsan now has no lid!

 

[chicagobrew]

I just sent their product support department a link to this thread. Maybe they'll see that there is a big problem and do something about it. They may not even know.

 

[ChshreCat]

Odds are they just buy the bottles stock from another company, so it's not really a matter of them doing something about the caps. What they'll need to do is find another bottle and/or bottle supplier. They may have to pay more for the bottles and pass the costs on, but it shouldn't be that much of a difference per bottle.

 

[Malintent]

The label on the container does not warn not to overtighten the cap, nor does it indicate to store upright. I think the label can be improved, if not the cap.

Do not overtighten cap.
Do not store or transport in an unsafe manner.

But, after your deductible, at least your insurance will cover any damages... I've done some bonehead things to my jeep where I needed to file a claim.. GEICO was cool about it. That's why they call it an accident.

 

[o4_srt]

The label on the container does not warn not to overtighten the cap, nor does it indicate to store upright. I think the label can be improved, if not the cap.

Do not overtighten cap.
Do not store or transport in an unsafe manner.

But, after your deductible, at least your insurance will cover any damages... I've done some bonehead things to my jeep where I needed to file a claim.. GEICO was cool about it. That's why they call it an accident.

So you want a common sense clause?

 

[EoinMag]

I suppose it's a risk in the crossover market of extremely good professional products being used by amateurs.

They can't reckon with every level of stupid.

I broke both caps on mine too by the way, I've burned holes in trousers one day dropping a bottle of sulphuric in my bathroom that I hadn't put the lid back on correctly to. luckily it only splashed a small amount and I wear glasses, but I saw smoke rise off of my plastic trousers as they developed holes in them. I didn't complain for being a ******* with dangerous chemicals, I just counted my blessings.

 

[kegtoe]

if you have something that you put 1 ounce of into 5 gallons, and that diluted solution is strong enough to get your equipment sanitary enough for food storage - wouldnt you think the concentrated stuff is something you shouldnt mess around with??

 

[kegtoe]

yes, really. Caustic chemicals are no joke. If a company produces a potentially dangerous product and fail to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of those using the product in the recommended way... then they are liable for damages their lack of Due Care caused.

Any reasonable person would agree that a caustic chemical should have a cap on it that reasonably prevents spillage. this does not appear to be the case. In fact, I am sure the EPA would have something to say about it.

Star san is not caustic its acidic

 

[mabaty]

I can relate, I had the star san sitting on the counter top and somehow it leaked and now I have a permanent stain/fade shape of the starsan container on my countertop! The concentrate was probably only there for a couple hours too! Was not real happy about that and lesson learned.

Hah, I just noticed a StarSan bottle shape on my counters as well. Sucks.

 

[509inc]

My counters have been hit by starsan as well, however the stuff is great for killing wasps.

 

[cincybrewer]

Does star san do damage if spilled on granite or hardwood? And is that in the diluted form or just the concentrated? I've splashed the diluted stuff everywhere but haven't noticed any damage yet.

 

[BrewKnurd]

Does star san do damage if spilled on granite or hardwood? And is that in the diluted form or just the concentrated? I've splashed the diluted stuff everywhere but haven't noticed any damage yet.

I would think it would wreak havoc on hardwood in the concentrated form.

 

[Shaneoco1981]

Star san is not caustic its acidic

Star san is caustic. Caustic by definition is capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue. Pretty sure star san falls into that category.

 

[pdykstra]

It sounds to me like everyone who has issues with the cap needs to inform the company about the problem. I'm relatively new at brewing and I'm still on my first bottle of StarSan (it's only an 8 oz. size) but I haven't had this issue yet. I'll be sure to look out for it. If the issue is widespread then they should fix the cap, but the only way they will know about it is if people tell them.

 

[mattd2]

Star san is caustic. Caustic by definition is capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue. Pretty sure star san falls into that category.

I thought technically caustic refered to a corrosive alkali? As in caustic soda/caustic potash.

Fixed it for you

Star san is corrosive. A corrosive by definition is capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue. Pretty sure star san falls into that category.

 

[BrewKnurd]

By scientific convention, "caustic" refers to bases. But according to the definition of the word, then yes, acids are also caustic. So technically, star san is a caustic. But if you told a chemist it was caustic, he/she would likely assume it was basic.

 

[TheFlyingSparge]

I stopped ordering StarSan mail order because of the cap. Got all over my order. Lucky everything was sealed in plastic, but what a waste! Also, I have Corian counter tops. I recommend not leaving the bottle out overnight on your counter top. Will burn in a mark. Had to sand/polish a couple spots before I caught on.

 

[kegtoe]

By scientific convention, "caustic" refers to bases. But according to the definition of the word, then yes, acids are also caustic. So technically, star san is a caustic. But if you told a chemist it was caustic, he/she would likely assume it was basic.

you are using caustic, when you mean corrisive. Caustic is on one side of the pH scale and acids are on the other. I can post you MSDS sheets if you'd like.

This thread is heading in the wrong direction fast.

 

[Elshauno]

I learned it here - Plastic soda bottle caps will fit.

I learned when I broke my cap and had a soda bottle laying around. And it worked

 

[kegtoe]

i too have had issues with counter tops. i had a 5 gal bucket that had some on the bottom. when i pulled the bucket of the counter there was a perfect ringe were the bucket sat. 3 week old counters. my wife was pissed. luckily she got over it.

 

[BrewKnurd]

you are using caustic, when you mean corrisive. Caustic is on one side of the pH scale and acids are on the other. I can post you MSDS sheets if you'd like.

No, i said caustic, and I meant caustic, but thanks for trying to tell me what i meant. I completely agree with you that in scientific lingo, caustic means base. I stated that above.

HOWEVER, Per websters dictionary, Caustic: capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action : corrosive.

So while the standard scientific definition of caustic means base, the english definition of the word is essentially the same as corrosive.


All that having been said, regardless of how we refer to star san, I'ma keep wearing gloves when I handle the undiluted stuff.