Will Star San Damage My Bucket....?

[TRainH2o]

Hi all.

I was sanitizing today with Star San. I put it in my bottling bucket with my racking cane and tubing. I was going to sanitize my carboy but didn't have time to finish.

Will it hurt my bucket to leave the Star San in it for a few days? I was going to put a lid on it and use it Friday to finish up. Also, how long is the Star San good once it is mixed? I will need to sanitize kegs next week but it will be Wednesday before I get my tool to remove the valves. Thanks.

 

[WillPall]

I do that all the time, leaving it in the bucket. As far as how long it lasts, I dunno. But I think if it is covered (don't ask me why) it will last quite a while.

Edit: I'm assuming it was properly diluted. Definitely wouldn't want to leave concentrated StarSan in there.

 

[pilotdane]

My sanitizing bucket always has Star San in it. I make a fresh batch before bottling or brewing and keep what's left over in the bucket just in case. Each brew day I dump out the bucket, wash and make up a new batch of sanitizer. I don't think my bucket has been dry in 3 months and it shows no signs of degridation.

 

[boo boo]

As long as the pH of star-san stays below 3 pH, then it is effective as a sanitizer.
I keep a bucket 1/2 full of it and keep hoses and other plastic things and brew ware in there soaking for weeks on end.
I only throw out my star-san when it becomes too dirty to reuse, even though the pH is still good. So on average a 1/2 ounce per 2 1/2 gallons will last me about 6 months.

 

[Mountainbeers]

There's a few threads on this. I've seen cases of people having leaks from the starsan but only after months of leaving it in the bucket.

 

[TRainH2o]

Very good to know. Thanks everyone.