Using a paint tray to let the excess starsan drip off

[pc_trott]

I believe I read somewhere a recommendation to use a metal paint tray, instead of plastic, to allow sanitized items to drip dry; the slant in the paint tray helps in that. But I've found that starsan corrodes aluminum something fierce, and I'm wondering if I got it wrong, and the recommendation was to use plastic instead of metal. Any advice is welcome, including recommendations for remedial reading classes.

 

[MaxStout]

A plastic paint tray would be better.

While you're at the hardware store, pick up a cheap wallpaper tray. Fill with Starsan, it's great for sanitizing longer items like stir spoons, siphons, etc.

 

[Dr_Jeff]

They also make plastic liners for some paint trays, allowing you to keep the one you have and just use a liner.

+1 to the wallpaper tray

 

[hotbeer]

Have you had a plastic tray or plastic drying rack get damaged by your draining sanitizer?

Considering most are only a few dollars at the dime stores, then I'd still use them over a more expensive stainless steel or something more durable.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

I guess I would question the base reason: "to allow sanitized items to drip dry". If you are using StarSan, there is no reason that items need to dry before use. You can just leave them sitting in a tray or bucket of sanitizer solution and pull them out as needed. I sometimes will clean and sanitize a lid from a bucket or storage bin. I will use that as a clean surface to set items on if needed, but I would prefer the items stay wet.

Are you using a different sanitizer? Iodophor has a little bit of smell and color, but I would be fine using items that are still damp with an Iodophor solution.

 

[pc_trott]

I'm using Star San, and I guess I misspoke when I said "drip dry." What I meant was to let the excess run off, so as to get as little as possible in the brew.

 

[hotbeer]

I'm using Star San, and I guess I misspoke when I said "drip dry." What I meant was to let the excess run off, so as to get as little as possible in the brew.

This place is sort of like being a character on the "Big Bang Theory" and having Sheldon nit pick every nuance of what you said! Most of us knew what you meant.

You just have to take it with a grin.

 

[CascadesBrewer]

I'm using Star San, and I guess I misspoke when I said "drip dry." What I meant was to let the excess run off, so as to get as little as possible in the brew.

"Don't fear the foam!" I would say you are better pulling a wet and dripping wet piece of equipment out of a bucket of StarSan and using it directly, than setting it down someplace to "drip". Just shake off the excess if you feel the need. I tend to have a small pitcher of StarSan that I will use for my small pieces (spigots, stoppers, etc.) and also a bucket with a few gallons of StarSan for larger items.

 

[davidabcd]

I agree with one or two of the above posts: you don't need to really get into the drip-dry. Leave it wet/damp for use. Bottles using a Vinator can sometimes get bubbly inside the bottles but that poses no problem after leaving them on a rack and most of the foam dissipates.
My super-low-tech method is to make 2.5 gallons of Starsan on beer days (making and bottling) and use a ladle to sanitize a couple of plastic trays. Then, anything that needs to be sanitized, I ladle Starsan on it and place it on those trays. It could be the plastic,, three-piece air-lock, hydrometer, tubing for the syphon, the siphon, etc.