33 replies to this topic

[chuck_d]

As far as alcohol having to be 70% to be effective, I'd be interested in seeing some more info. I don't use it a a primary sterilizer, hence the star-san. But I do use it for such items as wiping off a yeast pouch before I tear it open.

The 70% number is all over the place...MB Raines mentions using 70%: https://www.maltosef...t_Culturing.phpIn First Steps in Yeast Culture Rajotte says, " It has its maximum effect when mixed with water at a concentration of 70% by weight (77% per volume). In some areas it is possible to purchase drinking alcohol at a concentration of 90%. However, alcohol at this concentration has a lower germicidal effect than at a 70% concentrations. Drinking alcohol such as gin or vodka is sold at concentrations of 40%. ALthough good, it is not as effective as 70%."

[brewhead]

i keep a spray bottle of both starsan and everclear up in the barn.as far as the foam..you're being paranoid.

[dagomike]

The 70% number is all over the place...

Sanitizers work by bursting the cell walls. So, probably something to do with needing water to get cell permeability. Anyway... I think alcohol is a decent surface sanitizer. I know breweries use it to spray down stuff, probably because it's convenient. They can just buy a bottle of it put a sprayer on it and it's good forever. That's obviously not their sanitizer, however. I have a bottle around, but mostly use it to spray down flasks and flame them for starters.

[HarvInSTL]

Saniclean requires double the mix vs Starsan......So, more money. Saniclean is more expensive. But you got a good deal there for sure.

That I did not know. That just put Sani-clean on my do not purchase list. Thanks for the info!

[Stout_fan]

Define "most."

Its greater than some.

And less than "all"

[No Party JKor]

I look at it this way.I put 1 ounce of StarSan in 5 gallons, or 640 ounces.1/640 = 0.156% (less than 1 %). So at "full strength", your StarSan solution is 99.844% water and 0.156% StarSan.When you pour it out of the craboy, or bucket, you get almost all the 5 gallons of back. The StarSan left behind is in the form of foam, that foam is what? I will guess 97% air and 3% solution. Now you have 3% or your 0.156% left in your bucket.When you rack on top of the foam and push the foam out, you get rid of what? I guess 50% of the foam. So 50% of 3% of 0.156% = 0.00234%.Obviously my numbers are speculation and guesses. But the idea is valid. Of that foam left behind in your carboy, there ain't much left of your 1 ounce of StarSan.It looks intimidating. I would speculate that your malt contributes much more phosphoric and other chemical stuff to your beer than the residual StarSan does.zymot

I'd say the liquid fraction foam comprises of way less than 3%. It's more likely .3% or .03%.

[dagomike]

Oh, I also could have mentioned my Star-San Stout. Forgot to flush the star-san in my pump lines and even pumped some from my bucket into the boil kettle. I can't remember how much was in there... like four cups or something. Won a bunch of awards and had all kinds of fun letting people drink it and then tell the story.

[BrewerGeorge]

Don't let these geeks get you down Gary.

[DaKine]

I really love it when the foam pushes out of the cornie, sometimes it gets about 3' tall before leaning.I prefer airless transfers tho. but sill have to use the auto-syphon for buckets. I usually use 6g BB for primary.

[Alpha Male]

I'm getting my ass handed to me on this one aren't I?

Yea, But seriously it's like parts per million. Take a fingerfull of starsan foam and taste it. That will be all you need to convince you. Harmless and tasteless. Jeff

[EWW]

Ethanol is not going to be that volatile. Otherwise, all your drinks would be nonalcoholic by the time you finished them. When I mix a pint of this stuff, I keep it tightly capped when not using it.

Don't want to start a pissing contest over this, but it is volatile. Per the most well quoted internet resource of super knowledge, the wiki states: Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid.