Using Star San

[Florian]

I transfer undiluted Starsan into teat-dropper bottles (couple of bucks from Lab supply store) and have callibrated that 100 drops add up to 1.5mL (I usually mix up half litre at a time).

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I trust that you know how far you have to fill your dropper to give you 50 drops, otherwise this method would be just a tad annoying.

 

[real_beer]

and have callibrated that 100 drops add up to 1.5mL (I usually mix up half litre at a time).

[zoom]

I could count up to 20 drops but only if I take off my shoes & socks

 

[Beer Ninja]

I shoot from the hip on dilution rates and just pour a little or a lot depending on the amount of water. I suspect a lot of people do the same with little or no consequence.

Obviously one needs a bit of a feel for it so I check my guesstimates sometimes.

I'm a bit on the anal side when it comes to measuring stuff so today I bought a plastic 5mm hypodermic needle from the chemist for $1. Keeps me happy

 

[going down a hill]

I use the measuring vial/cup from the betadine throat gargle, it has a 1ml line that is a good guide.

 

[Florian]

Kids Nurofen measure thingy for up to 3L.

Goes up to 5ml in easy to read 0.5ml increments.

 

[TheWiggman]

And don't be tempted to taste it neat with the tip of your tongue.

This is playing with my mind. Is this reverse psychology? Or a warning?
I'm not going to sleep tonight if I don't try it. Or maybe, I'm not going to sleep tonight if I try it. Argh!

 

[Beer Ninja]

What about the yeast hydrating dish though? Should that be rinsed after using Star San?

I just hydrated some yeast at 30-35c (I did give the bowl one quick swirl in water first) but the yeast hasn't hydrated like it usually does, looks odd, not 'foamy' like it normally is, and I swear there's a slight 'soapy' smell to it. (See photo) I haven't used it, just got annoyed and pitched some dry instead.

It's kept in the fridge at my end below 8c (don't know about the supplier, online seller) but their yeast has always been OK.

Am I right to suspect the Star San?

 

[ricardo]

I shoot from the hip on dilution rates and just pour a little or a lot depending on the amount of water. I suspect a lot of people do the same with little or no consequence.

Obviously one needs a bit of a feel for it so I check my guesstimates sometimes.

Same as

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

This is playing with my mind. Is this reverse psychology? Or a warning?
I'm not going to sleep tonight if I don't try it. Or maybe, I'm not going to sleep tonight if I try it. Argh!

9v battery gives same result

 

[Mardoo]

Dammit Duke, now he's gonna have to try them both!

 

[shaunous]

What about the yeast hydrating dish though? Should that be rinsed after using Star San?
No

I just hydrated some yeast at 30-35c (I did give the bowl one quick swirl in water first) but the yeast hasn't hydrated like it usually does, looks odd, not 'foamy' like it normally is, and I swear there's a slight 'soapy' smell to it. (See photo) I haven't used it, just got annoyed and pitched some dry instead.

It's kept in the fridge at my end below 8c (don't know about the supplier, online seller) but their yeast has always been OK.

Am I right to suspect the Star San?
As long as u mixed it to instruction / or it wasnt a really old batch(Gone milky colour), then NO, its not the Starsan

I dont rehydrate packet dried yeast, I did a couple of times and it was just a pain in the arse, half the yeast sticks to the container when tipping it in the fermenter blah blah blah, so I dont rehydrate

 

[Beer Ninja]

contact time is 30 seconds, they are required under FDA to state 2 mins but what he said on the BN 30 seconds is enough

1.5ml per L, I usually mix up 20 L at a time so 30ml

Dont fear the foam, it's tasteless and does no harm to your beer, when I keg, there is often foam being pushed out the top when nearly full.

Glad you mentioned the foam. Bottled up today and would have started rinsing if you hadn't said.

 

[storeboughtcheeseburgers]

I've got a 37 litre esky I was just going to put 2 shots in and fill her up and place the bottles in for a few minutes then fill em up tomorrow, bottling day. I rinse after drinking each stub and store upside down in crates.

Will this method work? I figure I'll wear gloves. How do you go about putting the dextrose in if the bottles still a bit wet? Just clean off any excess around the rim?

 

[stm]

I've got a 37 litre esky I was just going to put 2 shots in and fill her up and place the bottles in for a few minutes then fill em up tomorrow, bottling day. I rinse after drinking each stub and store upside down in crates.

Will this method work? I figure I'll wear gloves. How do you go about putting the dextrose in if the bottles still a bit wet? Just clean off any excess around the rim?

That's a waste of Starsan - you only need a couple of litres made up (2 litres = 3ml of Starsan) and then use the bottle squirter thingy from your LHBS to coat the inside of each bottle.

No need to wear gloves for the dilute solution.

Putting dextrose in the bottles - just use a small funnel in combination with your sugar measure. Don't wipe the rim because that will unsanitise what you just sanitised.

 

[Beer Ninja]

And don't be tempted to taste it neat with the tip of your tongue.

Whilst sanitising yesterday I remembered this comment and got a desire to taste it neat with the tip of my tongue.

Too weird

 

[technobabble66]

I've got a 37 litre esky I was just going to put 2 shots in and fill her up and place the bottles in for a few minutes then fill em up tomorrow, bottling day. I rinse after drinking each stub and store upside down in crates.

Will this method work? I figure I'll wear gloves. How do you go about putting the dextrose in if the bottles still a bit wet? Just clean off any excess around the rim?

Use a solution of sod perc to soak overnight if they need cleaning (eg: have visible residue in them, or just been used several times since the last proper wash). Shake vigorously as you empty out the sod perc. That should remove any crud.
Then before bottling use ~100-200ml of starsan solution with a funnel - pour into first bottle, shake, pour into 2nd bottle, shake, etc, etc. I also use 50-100ml in a glass to dip the top of the bottle to sterilize the top surface.

Happy to be corrected but I do it like this. No infections. All done with ~300ml solution.

 

[JDW81]

I've got a 37 litre esky I was just going to put 2 shots in and fill her up and place the bottles in for a few minutes then fill em up tomorrow, bottling day. I rinse after drinking each stub and store upside down in crates.

Will this method work? I figure I'll wear gloves. How do you go about putting the dextrose in if the bottles still a bit wet? Just clean off any excess around the rim?

Get one of these (not an aussie site, as the locals didn't have pics). You'll need about 1L of solution and you can sanitise hundreds of bottles quickly and easily.

I paid about 25 clams for mine over 5 years ago and it is still going strong.

 

[Beer Ninja]

Get one of these (not an aussie site, as the locals didn't have pics). You'll need about 1L of solution and you can sanitise hundreds of bottles quickly and easily.

I paid about 25 clams for mine over 5 years ago and it is still going strong.

You inspired me to head off to ebay to buy one, there's usually a few for sale. Sadly only two at present, local pick up only.

 

[GABBA110360]

That's a waste of Starsan - you only need a couple of litres made up (2 litres = 3ml of Starsan) and then use the bottle squirter thingy from your LHBS to coat the inside of each bottle.

No need to wear gloves for the dilute solution.

Putting dextrose in the bottles - just use a small funnel in combination with your sugar measure. Don't wipe the rim because that will unsanitise what you just sanitised.

i'm probably worse than that I mix a starsan brew in a 82 l esky which I use for doing bottles and just grab 500ml to throw in a fermenter prior to use.
I reckpn it's cheap to use in my opinion.
cheaper than tipping out stuffed brews.
bought another litre the other day

cheers
ken

 

[JDW81]

You inspired me to head off to ebay to buy one, there's usually a few for sale. Sadly only two at present, local pick up only.

Try some of the site sponsors. I'm pretty sure grain and grape sell them (that is where I got mine), but there are bound to be others who stock and will post.

Edit: just checked the brew craft website and they're selling them for about 35. Well worth the cost.