Brew UK Forum | General Brewing Discussions
Star San - anyone else using?
Afternoon all,
Just got me some Star San after reading good things about it on the net, and a particularly interesting podcast from Basic Brewing Radio. Well, interesting if sanitising floats your boat.
Havent had a chance to use it yet, just wondered if anyone else had any experience with it. Doesnt seem very big in UK for some reason?!?
Stu
Planning - To make more beer
Responses
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
I use Videne Antiseptic Solution (diluted 0,75ml to 500ml with 1/2 tsp of citric acid)
Posted 2 years ago by Admin
Hi Stu, not used it myself but would be interested to hear how you get on. I will look into sourcing if you think its worth it.
I've used VWP in the past but more recently been using Chemipro Oxi.
Regards
Greg
Posted 2 years ago by Member
I've seen a really heated discussion about it on one of the yahoo brewing groups - got quite nasty at some points... didn't really take much notice as I didn't know it was available over here. Seems that it is possible to make up a solution in advance and use it in a spray bottle. Sorry I can't be of help!
(with grateful thanks to the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and slightly adapted)
Posted 2 years ago by Member
Will let you know how I get on. I've only used sodium metabisulphate so far, and that was a pain in the @ss in my opinion. Lengthy contact time, and so much rinsing. This stuff apparently is rinse free and has a 30-60 sec contact time. Its not readily available over here, which surprises me. Hop&Grape have it on their site, but it seems permenantly out of stock. I ended up sourcing from an Irish brew shop (well, a brew shop in Ireland, not a shop that only sells Guiness).
Have to admit I was on the fence about this no rinse thing until I listened to the podcast from the guy who makes the stuff. He really knows his chlorine! If you're interested its the 29/03/07 one on the basic brewing radio site.
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
I wanted star san but after I couldnt get it decided the videne route for a cheap no rinse agent, though why do you use it with citric acid dandan?
I normally use vwp but for bottling I needed a easy, quick, no rinser option. Saying that I dont really know if it works as my last batch of bottled stuff was a cheap lager kit that tasted.... choice, so dont know if that was the kit or the bottles being non-disinfected.
Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!
nathbrew@gmail.com
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
Citric acid keeps it longer! I make 500ml in a spray bottle and store it! from one bottle of vidine i think i can make over 600 x 500ml bottles!
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
Sorry to be off topic on star san, but gould you go thrugh the process of your videne dan?
Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!
nathbrew@gmail.com
Posted 2 years ago by Member
Have to admit .. I wouldn't mine seeing that too Dan!
(with grateful thanks to the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and slightly adapted)
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
0.75ml per half a litre and also add a 0.5 teaspoon (2.5gms) of citric acid to increases and prolongs its effectiveness.
The solution is the colour of cold tea. Over time as it loses its sterilizing potency as it looses its sterilizing effect it loses its colour. Also best stored out of light!
I tip some solution into a bowl for soaking bottle caps in to sterilise them.
Bottles:
1) Put some hot water in each bottle (to clear debris)
2) Shake each one and place upside down to drain
3) Make up videne in a jug
4) Quick visable check to see for stuck muck inside, Spray two or three sprays of vidine into bottle
5) Thumb over the end, each gets bottlw shake, solution emptied into a jug, neck of bottle dipped in jug
6) Fill with beer and cap
you need to make sure you buyVidene Antiseptic Solution, as there is 3 types of the stuff!
I've come up with a little guide to videne in the tips area! CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE GUIDE
Posted 2 years ago by Member
OK, so I got a Muntons kit on the go last night. Used 1/2 oz of star san with half a bucket of water (3ish gallons). Dumped everything else (spoon, measuring cylinder, can opener airlock etc) in there too and gave it a swirl. Left for 30 secs or so, then inverted keeping a finger over the hole for the bung. Then emptied, but kept back some in a home made container (from a cut off 5L water bottle - I use bottled water as its cheap, and saves measuring). Then left the bucket and everything to drain/dry.
Reckon I will follow a similar process when it comes to bottling, which I normally use the barrel for. Am thinking another 1/2 oz in barrel, then use tap into bottle. fill up ten or so, and then start emptying back into the barrel and leave draining bottle on my drying tree. Repeat as necessary.
By my reckoning I can do 32 kits with the bottle I have bought, so that should last me a couple of years.
Its nice to use, no odour, low hassle.
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
Welcome to the forum stu. Videne must be one of the cheapest sanitisers out there. I bought mine from tescos pharmacy for about a fiver, should last a good half year to a year I rekon!
Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!
nathbrew@gmail.com
Posted 2 years ago by Member
Cheers Nath. Good knowledge to have for next time.
Thanks for the welcome too. This forum is great. 5 Kits under my belt now, and feeling the need to step up to the next level. I'm very curious to see what this AG fuss is about. I've been so blown away by kit brewing that its going to be interesting to see just how much better beer can get.
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
Once you take the step up ti All Grain you'll never look back! If you've been blown away by kits, just wait till you proudly sample your first AG!
Posted 2 years ago by Moderator
I know what you mean dan. I didnt drink my first ag. i made love to it.
Oh no, wait, no, I did drink it and it was lovely.
Sorry confused there!
Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!
nathbrew@gmail.com
Posted 2 years ago by Member
:o) Nath
Thanks for that mental image!
(with grateful thanks to the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and slightly adapted)
Posted 2 years ago by Admin
You want to be careful Nath as those bottles can get stuck. I'm pretty sure casualty has a number of cases of this each year!
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