Why Starsan??

[Talloak]

How does StarSan compare to 'L.D. Carlson's OneStep No Rinse Sanitizer'?

 

[Pelikan]

Onestep is a cleanser, not a sanitizer (although unfortunately some home brew shops sell it as a sanitizer). It's basically oxyclean, and to my knowledge cleans via hydrogen peroxide (or a similar, unstable oxygen molecule). Although it will probably (maybe) sanitize your stuff, it is not nearly as effective when compared to star san.

 

[Revvy]

How does StarSan compare to 'L.D. Carlson's OneStep No Rinse Sanitizer'?

I posted a bunch of info on the differences here...https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/sanitizer-question-54932/?highlight=sanitizer+question

There's a lot of good info and tips for using either iodophor or starsan in there...

 

[BrewOnBoard]

Thanks for the help! Glad I asked before I used one-step as a sanitizer. If it uses OH- I would assume it will work, but after learning more it sounds like star-san is the thing with some experimentation to be done with idophor as well (thanks Revvy).

Beware this post is hot if heated, sharp if sharpened, and should not be put into the anu$ without lubricant.

BrewOnBoard

 

[Revvy]

Thanks for the help! Glad I asked before I used one-step as a sanitizer. If it uses OH- I would assume it will work, but after learning more it sounds like star-san is the thing with some experimentation to be done with idophor as well (thanks Revvy).

Beware this post is hot if heated, sharp if sharpened, and should not be put into the anu$ without lubricant.

BrewOnBoard

Glad you found the info helpful...

I keep thinking of your questions in terms of "extreme brewing," you don't know where you will be when you want to brew...that's why I suggest getting a handle on iodine based sanitizers...you can get Iodine anywhere in the world, where as Starsan is a more difficult product to get...Though you can oder it by the gallon which if you are careful it can last for a long time...



So Now you just have to decide to sail here to Michigan to participate in the Port Huron To Mackinaw Race...

 

[astyler]

I usually rinse... do people really not rinse and let/drink the chemicals in their beer?

 

[Revvy]

I usually rinse... do people really not rinse and let/drink the chemicals in their beer?

Yes we do...at the proper dillution the chemicals are safe...in fact starsan becomes yeast food...

They (starsan and iodophor) wouldn't have passed FDA approval as a NO RINSE SANITIZERs safe for food if they weren't safe....

If you rinse you are defeating the purpose of the sanitizer...and you are negating the sanitisers efficacy should any microorganism touch it after you rinsed it off...You basically cut it's power to protect your beer in half and by rinsing you open yourself up to re-infecting you beer...

No-rinse really means no-rinse....All that info is here...https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/sanitizer-question-54932/?highlight=sanitizer+question

 

[impatient]

I have a question that is on topic here. My hoses are very cloudy. I think this is from spraying StarSan thru them. Can this hurt anything?

 

[Revvy]

I have a question that is on topic here. My hoses are very cloudy. I think this is from spraying StarSan thru them. Can this hurt anything?

No it won't hurt anything...but it's funny, usually oxyclean and hard water cause vinyl hoses to get cloudy and or develop a scale...but starsan and vinegar (weak acids) clear them back up...

 

[BrianP]

+100 on what Revvy says. Don't fear the foam. Rinsing defeats the purpose. It's safe and doesn't affect the beer when diluted according to the directions.

 

[impatient]

I'm really posting for #100. But, I do remember dumping a good ounce of StarSan solution into my brew. Everything looks fine.

 

[HoppyDaze]

Does the "don't fear the foam apply to wine too? Or is wine more sensitive?

 

[TheFlatline]

No, wine shouldn't have an issue.

 

[evandam]

I seriously cannot believe that any of these other sanitizers/clensers are still around. Save you self the trouble and get starsan. Period. End of story. I don't want to see any other posts on this thread. Just kidding of course, but seriously get some star san, It last for a long time, even if you mix a fresh batch every time, longer if you save it. You dont have to rinse it. What is not to like. I love it.

 

[BrewOnBoard]

So, how exactly does the foam turn into yeast food. Wouldn't yeast food affect the brew? Any chemists out there?

BoB

 

[Homercidal]

I'm no chemist, but the amount of starsan that is usually involved, is minute. And, even if there were a more significant amount, you'd have to understand exactly how the yeast were metabolising the starsan, and what the resultant outgassing is, to know how it affects the beer.

From all accounts, a small amount of starsan is indistinguishable as far as flavor is concerned. But, I believe someone must have found out that yeast can actually consume the starsan, and they likely know the chemical makeup of the stuff, so that is where they draw the conclusion that it is safe to drink or brew with.

 

[robertjohnson]

Not sure how illuminating this will be but...I use Star-San and have had experiences where I've poured partly flat beers with rainbow hued soap bubbles that also taste pretty diluted. It's only an odd one per batch or so. I have a habit (soon to stop) of siphoning some Star San into that last partly filled bottle and am guessing that these random surprises are the result. The Star San certainly doesn't help in carbonation, but I assume this has less to do with its impact on the yeast than with the fact that the priming sugar and yeast are being diluted in more liquid. Anyways, what does seem relevant is that even with soap bubbles, the beer does not taste drastically different beyond being diluted, i.e. no off-flavors. Don't fear the foam, but don't dump it into your beer either.