bad sanitizer

[wacky_packy]

I accidentally used bad star san that I saved from brew day to sanitize the siphon and carboy when I transferred it to secondary. I did not notice until the beer was already transferred. I guess the sanitizer bucket was not fully sealed and when I went to dump it I noticed some mold on the lid and some blue residue possibly mold in the bottom of the bucket.

Is there a chance the beer will survive? Should I wait and see how it tastes in a couple weeks or dump it? Last time I try to save a buck by holding onto star san.

If anyone could help I would appreciate it!

[denny]

Sure, there’s a pretty decent chance you’ll be OK.  By the time the beer is finished, the alcohol and low pH offer some protection.

[pmorrissette (Phil_M)]

I’ve had mold on the lid of my star san bucket before. I figure so long as it’s not actually growing on the star san I’m good to go.

That being said, this is a good demonstration of how star san isn’t very effective against mold and yeast. Usually isn’t an issue, but something to be aware of. I use star san and iodophor, so far so good.

[MJK]

Good info all around.
Thanks and have fun

[Philbrew]

I make up star-san in 2-1/2 gal. batches with RO water and store in gallon glass jugs.  Keeps for 3-5 months no problem.

[brewinhard]

@Philbrew

I make up star-san in 2-1/2 gal. batches with RO water and store in gallon glass jugs.  Keeps for 3-5 months no problem.

Yep. I make up a  5 gallon batch with straight distilled and store it in bucket with lid. Lasts for months and many batches. Only time I switch it out is when too much stuff starts to collect at the bottom of the bucket. Even then sometimes, I will carefully rack the clean star san above it into another container and continue to use it. Works great.

[jonhughey_att.net (HoosierBrew)]

@brewinhard

Yep. I make up a  5 gallon batch with straight distilled and store it in bucket with lid. Lasts for months and many batches. Only time I switch it out is when too much stuff starts to collect at the bottom of the bucket. Even then sometimes, I will carefully rack the clean star san above it into another container and continue to use it. Works great.

Same thing I do.

[skatz (Stevie)]

@brewinhard

Yep. I make up a  5 gallon batch with straight distilled and store it in bucket with lid. Lasts for months and many batches. Only time I switch it out is when too much stuff starts to collect at the bottom of the bucket. Even then sometimes, I will carefully rack the clean star san above it into another container and continue to use it. Works great.

Same thing I do.

Here as well. I just started topping off as well.

I do get small patches of mold in the groves under the lid. I just clean and replace.

[CVas]

@brewinhard

Yep. I make up a  5 gallon batch with straight distilled and store it in bucket with lid. Lasts for months and many batches. Only time I switch it out is when too much stuff starts to collect at the bottom of the bucket. Even then sometimes, I will carefully rack the clean star san above it into another container and continue to use it. Works great.

Same thing I do.

Quick question, you can use the sanitizer again after it has been used once to sanitize other equipment? I had been disposing of it after first use usually, and this may change after reading this.

[denny]

@CVas

@brewinhard

Yep. I make up a  5 gallon batch with straight distilled and store it in bucket with lid. Lasts for months and many batches. Only time I switch it out is when too much stuff starts to collect at the bottom of the bucket. Even then sometimes, I will carefully rack the clean star san above it into another container and continue to use it. Works great.

Same thing I do.

Quick question, you can use the sanitizer again after it has been used once to sanitize other equipment? I had been disposing of it after first use usually, and this may change after reading this.

As long as the pH is below 3, it’s still good to use.

[skatz (Stevie)]

Starsan yes, iodophor no

[brewinhard]

Making a star san batch with distilled water is highly recommended for this since there are virtually no minerals in it which allows the pH to stay at 3 or under over time.

[pjruppel (bengelbrau)]

I find it’s easier for my process to buy a one gallon jug of distilled for 88 cents at the store who must not be named, squirt in 6 ml of Star San, shake, and go. Turnover is fast enough that I don’t get a lot of sludge, and it’s easy to store and use.

[Werks21]

@brewinhard

Making a star san batch with distilled water is highly recommended for this since there are virtually no minerals in it which allows the pH to stay at 3 or under over time.

So thats why distilled water is recommended… I have always used tap and had no problems keeping starsan under PH 3 for many months. however my tap water is just about void of most minerals