Star San is making me think twice about home brewing

[Obliviousbrew]

I even rub diluted star san in my hands when I´m brewing (by the way NO I´m not taking my shirt off and rubbing lotion like TSA does), I accidentaly drink some diluted star san with no problems. I can´t understand the fears around it. Where I live it´s hard to get star san so I´ve tried almost everything, star san beats all the other options. I love this stuff.

 

[cluckk]

When I brew or bottle I keep a few gallons of diluted star san available to dip anything in that might even touch my worth after boil. I also spray down the freezer top to lay sanitized items on. I also regularly dip my hands before touching things. I also have a five gallon bucket of it to rack back and forth between different containers.

 

[davebstock]

I have only used bleach in water and am wondering if I should switch over to something else. Any reason I should?

 

[davebstock]

I have only used bleach in water and am wondering if I should switch over to something else. Any reason I should?

 

[temple240]

I have only used bleach in water and am wondering if I should switch over to something else. Any reason I should?

Bleach is fine but i find it to be a pain to work with and i prefer a no rinse sanitizer. I used bleach until i discovered the wonders of a spray bottle full of star san. I also wasn't thrilled when i accidentally bleached my jeans while cleaning my fermenter.

 

[davebstock]

I'll give san star a try somwtime. Looking at buying a bottle dryer rack and the rinse top. I imaging san star would work well with those.

 

[seabass07]

I have only used bleach in water and am wondering if I should switch over to something else. Any reason I should?

You need to either rinse it or use a very diluted solution. If you use the diluted solution, you still may end up with chlorophenol bandaid flavors.

 

[oakbarn]

Star San Rules. I use it all the time. I even rinse my beer glasses in it when I have a party. I have a tub with oxiclean, then a tub with diluted star san. I have never sent anyone to the hospital. If you did this with bleach, you would need a third tub and by the end of the night you might be tasting the bleach. By the way, when backpacking, adding iodine or bleach to water then drinking it is common practice. Not to mention most of the treated water in the USA has the equivelent of bleach added during processing. Star San is safe, Does not bleach your favorite brew jacket, and does a good job for it intended purpose. Star San is more expensive than Idophor or bleach, but easier to work with and it will not flavor your beer. It will also last in a spray bottle. Do not fear the bubbles, I brew on top of foam!

 

[aarong]

Last time I used starsan I didn't use gloves big mistake. My arm started burning then my skin started peeling off my arm!

Just kidding I never had a problem and I have never worn gloves I get it on my skin all the time. When it is that diluted you'll be fine.

 

[Jayhem]

For anyone concerned about DILUTED Star San hurting you.

Star San when properly diluted 1oz/5gal, has a pH of about 2.5 - 3.0

Coca Cola (Coke) has a pH of 2.5.

Drinking diluted star san is about as dangerous as drinking a soft drink...it just tastes a little worse.

 

[LandoLincoln]

I accidentally got some undiluted Star San on my skin a while ago. At first I had a hard time getting used to the extra pair of arms and hands, but I learned how to control them after a couple of weeks of practice. The extra hands help out a lot while adding strike water / stirring.

Of course, I can't buy any shirts off the rack now. That part is a pain.

 

[neko]

I was starting the auto-siphon one time when the hose slipped off and sprayed diluted Starsan all over my friend's face. She wiped it off with a towel and is fine.

I probably would have been more concerned if it was diluted bleach.

 

[Red_Scooter]

I make sure there is plenty of Star San foam left in the bottle when bottling. it pushes out the top when filling and sanitizes the bottling wand. Plus, I think it enhances the high notes on the aroma of the beer and provides a clean finish to both lagers and ales. Mmm...Star San!

 

[cluckk]

I make sure there is plenty of Star San foam left in the bottle when bottling. it pushes out the top when filling and sanitizes the bottling wand. Plus, I think it enhances the high notes on the aroma of the beer and provides a clean finish to both lagers and ales. Mmm...Star San!

A clean finish indeed.

 

[davebstock]

I accidentally got some undiluted Star San on my skin a while ago. At first I had a hard time getting used to the extra pair of arms and hands, but I learned how to control them after a couple of weeks of practice. The extra hands help out a lot while adding strike water / stirring.

Of course, I can't buy any shirts off the rack now. That part is a pain.

Man, I can only imagine what a breeze bottling is for you now!

 

[mike_in_ak]

For anyone concerned about DILUTED Star San hurting you.

Star San when properly diluted 1oz/5gal, has a pH of about 2.5 - 3.0

Coca Cola (Coke) has a pH of 2.5.

Drinking diluted star san is about as dangerous as drinking a soft drink...it just tastes a little worse.

Lots of people in here are comparing star san to soda.

How does it kill stuff if it's that benign?

 

[FATC1TY]

Lots of people in here are comparing star san to soda.

How does it kill stuff if it's that benign?

Ever see what Coke will do to metal?

Benign my rear!

 

[brick_haus]

Real men never EVER read directions OR warning labels. You'll never get anything done!

 

[LandoLincoln]

I found this thread useful as someone who uses idophor. I've thought about trying StarSan but I was worried if its an acid-based sanitizer if I would need to use gloves or deal with irritated hands afterwards.

Seriously, though...the first few times I used Star-San it dried out the skin on my hands pretty bad. But now it doesn't bother me.

 

[FATC1TY]

Most lady men would love to have rough hands to impress others.. Look at it as a plus.

 

[timcadieux]

I've never once worn gloves and whenever I touch something 'non-beer related' I usually dunk my hands back in the solution before continuing. Never had a problem.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Good point. I may go down this road since bleach/water parts are a known quantity to me.

Full strength bleach is kinda nasty as well...the Star San is not dangerous IMHO.