Starsan in bottles?

[p_p]

I am currently bottling my beer. I do not use sanitizing solution but instead bake the bottles.

During my last bottling session I was one bottle short so I put starsan in an extra bottle and was left with some foam which overflowed as I fill the bottle with a spiggot making a bit of a mess ... Is that normal procedure for those sanitizing with no rise just before filling the bottles?

Thanks

 

[CajunChuck]

What was your solution dilution ratio? Mine always have some foam bubble up at the end when bottling.

 

[p_p]

Dilution is as recommended, 1.5 ml/ltr. I did put just some starsan in the bottle and shook it hard. Then poured out as much as possible, but there was still plenty of foam ... I guess you all fill or soak the bottles without creating too much foam... I am just wondering what I should have done so I know for next time round.

Thanks

 

[Doctor_M]

Yes it is normal. Do not fear the foam.
http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/post1827/

 

[joshesmusica]

Yes completely normal! I used to go the baking route as well. But it just took too much effort in the end. Now I keep my starsan in a tub, and in a rather systematic way, just submerge each bottle, working in a way that the next bottle up is the one that's been soaking the longest. Then I bottle over the dish washer door so that any dripping or overflowing that occurs just spills right onto that.

 

[unionrdr]

I use the little measuring cube on top of the Starsan bottle. 3/4's of the way up to the 1/4oz mark for one gallon of water. I also keep some in a spray bottle. I also have an avinator on top of my bottle tree, giving each clean bottle 3 pumps, then onto the tree before filling with a bottling wand.

 

[p_p]

I don't fear the foam, I just fear the wrath of my wife when she finds spillage marks the next morning. Good tip about the dishwasher door, I've been lining the floor with paper towels, even messier.

Thanks for your replies

 

[mblanks2]

i use the little measuring cube on top of the starsan bottle. 3/4's of the way up to the 1/4oz mark for one gallon of water. I also keep some in a spray bottle. I also have an avinator on top of my bottle tree, giving each clean bottle 3 pumps, then onto the tree before filling with a bottling wand.

+1

 

[joshesmusica]

Yes it is normal. Do not fear the foam.
http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/post1827/

That podcast was awesome. He basically said you can even just clean with starsan. Incredible stuff.

 

[Doctor_M]

That podcast was awesome. He basically said you can even just clean with starsan. Incredible stuff.

Everything 5 star makes is awesome. Everything except their 5.2ph stabilizer that is.

 

[GHBWNY]

I not only "do not fear the foam", I make sure there is visible foam in the bottle just before filling. StarSan is designed to work most effectively when in wet contact with the surface. When it dries up, it is less effective. I stay about 6 bottles ahead, putting StarSan in 6 at a time, shake them to create foam and set them aside. Then begin filling, giving each one a flick beforehand to let fly any extra SS liquid in the bottom. Before filling the 6th bottle, I sanitize 6 more, and so on. I've heard/read that a little StarSan in the bottle is beneficial to the yeast.

 

[arnobg]

I once got good advice about the foam in bottles and have used it ever since and find it great using this technique....

1. Clean the bottles however you normally do with starsan. Don't worry about the foam, leave it. I like to use a sanitized dishwasher rack to hang them upside down in to drain using gravity.

2. When it is time to fill using the bottle wand, fill the the brim of the bottle to the point where a small amount comes out the top and stop. When you remove the wand the level will be perfect in the neck. The small amount that came out the top was primarily starsan foam. You can see this clearly when it comes over the top and you don't see any bubbles in the beer bottle now.