BackAlleyBrewingCo
Well-Known Member
Hi all,
Yesterday I decided to soak all of my equipment in sanitizer, so I made up 10 gallons of Star-San using tap water. In the past I've used distilled water for the mix, so I wasn't expecting what happened next - the solution turned cloudy almost immediately. I guess my water is harder than I thought. Anyway, I did a little research and found that Iodine works best in a low pH environment, so I reasoned that using the 10 gallons of cloudy Star-San would be okay as the basis of a normal-strength solution of Iodophor. When I added the Iodophor I got the expected yellow/amber tinted water, but in addition it turned crystal clear. I suspect/hope that the cloudiness dissipated because the Iodophor lowered the pH of the water back into Star-San's effective range.
My question is, did I make:
1. A double-strength sanitizer with the 1-2 punch of Star-San and Iodophor. You're a genius! :rockin:
2. Regular strength Iodophor - the Star-San died when it turned cloudy and there's no bringing it back. Nice try, though.
3. Yellow water - mixing Star-San and Iodophor kills the effectiveness of both, you dummy!
D. Bud Light.
Thanks,
TD
Yesterday I decided to soak all of my equipment in sanitizer, so I made up 10 gallons of Star-San using tap water. In the past I've used distilled water for the mix, so I wasn't expecting what happened next - the solution turned cloudy almost immediately. I guess my water is harder than I thought. Anyway, I did a little research and found that Iodine works best in a low pH environment, so I reasoned that using the 10 gallons of cloudy Star-San would be okay as the basis of a normal-strength solution of Iodophor. When I added the Iodophor I got the expected yellow/amber tinted water, but in addition it turned crystal clear. I suspect/hope that the cloudiness dissipated because the Iodophor lowered the pH of the water back into Star-San's effective range.
My question is, did I make:
1. A double-strength sanitizer with the 1-2 punch of Star-San and Iodophor. You're a genius! :rockin:
2. Regular strength Iodophor - the Star-San died when it turned cloudy and there's no bringing it back. Nice try, though.
3. Yellow water - mixing Star-San and Iodophor kills the effectiveness of both, you dummy!
D. Bud Light.
Thanks,
TD