Water System Sanitation - Star San

[Coldradio]

Hi

As a home brewery, I have some Five Star Star-San for sanitizing brewing equipment.

About this item​

• Star San Is A High Foaming, Acid-Based, No-Rinse Sanitizer That Is Effective And Easy To Use.
• Self-Foaming, Which Helps To Penetrate Cracks And Crevices.
• Odorless, Flavorless, Biodegradable. Will Not Harm Septic Systems.
• Reduces Water Spotting And Can Be Used Without Rinsing When Used At The Recommended Dilution.

Has anyone used this product with their PUP water system with any success or failure? What does the board think?

Thanks,
Coldradio

 

[Sjm9911]

I have it also for wine making, the foaming part I would be concerned about. You may trap air ( foam) in a place that will then not get sanitized. Some of the other cleaners used in brewing may be better, but why reinvent the wheel. Bleach works. Also for sanitizing bottles. Lol. It may also be perfectly fine to use. I dont know how or if it will foam up in the system.

 

[Coldradio]

I have it also for wine making, the foaming part I would be concerned about. You may trap air ( foam) in a place that will then not get sanitized. Some of the other cleaners used in brewing may be better, but why reinvent the wheel. Bleach works. Also for sanitizing bottles. Lol. It may also be perfectly fine to use. I dont know how or if it will foam up in the system.

So I'm clear, you're suggesting that the bleach is better than Star San because it doesn't foam?

I used to do diluted bleach for my brewing equipment but switched to Star San because rinsing is optional.... and bleach wrecks your hands!

 

[xxxapache]

Less than a cup of bleach santizes a 50 gallon tank. It's cheap and readily available. I don't see a reason to look for an alternative.

 

[Sjm9911]

Used

So I'm clear, you're suggesting that the bleach is better than Star San because it doesn't foam?

I used to do diluted bleach for my brewing equipment but switched to Star San because rinsing is optional.... and bleach wrecks your hands!

I used the star san today for the first time. To sanitize my wine stuff. Its semi cheap and smeels better then the other powedered stuff. But man does it foam. At the recommend mix, 1 oz per 5 gal, I mixed half oz per 2.5 gallons, it foamed up at ton. So much so, I rinsed my carboys out a few times to get rid of it. Yea, it says rinsing is not needed. But would you drink foaming water? Plus, as I said it may create air locks so the sanitizer may not reach the points you need it to get to. If it foams up under pressure, after you open and close the low point drains , it may foam up in the line and the foam may prevent the mixture from reaching spots in the water lines. Think vapor lock, or cavitation. May is they key word, it may work perfect also. But I am not convinced it will. That and it says do not mix with clorinated cleaners, so I dont know the reaction with chlorinated water if some is left over in the lines. It is labled a poison. Use the bleach. Your brewing stuff is basicly open and not under pressure, your water system is. This is only my opinion. It may or may not hold to be true. I am just saying, I would not use it in this application.