Category Archives: Sanitation

16 Oz Star San Homebrew Sanitizer – $16.99 + Why I think this size is plenty large enough

Five Star - Star San - 16 Ounce - Brew Sanitizer

Five Star – Star San – 16 Ounce – Brew Sanitizer

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • HIGH FOAMING- This sanitizer produces foam with little agitation for penetration into those cracks and crevices of equipment
  • CONVENIENT NO-RINSE FORMULA- With only a 30 second contact time, this sanitizer doesn’t need to be rinsed off When left to dry on stainless steel at certain concentrations, it will passivate and protect the equipment
  • SAFE AND EASY TO USE – Comes in an easy dosing dual-neck bottle with built-in measurements
  • EFFECTIVE ON MANY SURAFACES- Great for use on carboys, kegs, fermentors, kettles, brewing systems, chillers, and heat exchangers
  • USED BY PROFESSIONALS- Many craft brewers choose Star San as their sanitizer of choice in order to make good beer

 

Star San is my sanitizer of choice.  It is effective, food safe and no-rinse.  It is also very cost effective if you use the spray bottle method.  See: Star San Tips, Tricks and Guidelines – Using Star San In a Spray Bottle

3/12 3 AM Central: This is selling for $16.99. Shipping is also free to many US addresses with Prime Membership [Try Prime for Free] or a qualifying order. Prices and availability can change quickly.  Check product page for current info – More About Prices

Five Star – Star San – 16 Ounce – Brew Sanitizer High Foaming Acid Anionic – note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

I think this size is plenty….

Considering the shelf life of Star San concentrate is 1 to 2 years, If you’re using the Spray Bottle Method [See: Tip: Star San Tips, Tricks and Guidelines – Using Star San In a Spray Bottle], I generally recommend purchasing the 8 ounce size.  8 ounces of concentrate yields about 39 gallons of mixed solution.  The spray bottle method is very efficient, so you don’t end up using much sanitizer per batch.  Let’s say you use 1/4 gallon (which I personally think is high) for each batch, the 8 ounces size yields enough mixed solution for around 157 batches.  That figures to about 13 batches per month over a 1 year period.  If you use 1/8 gallon (which I think is more realistic) that equates to about 26 batches per month over a 1 year period.  The larger 16 and 32 ounces sizes may be a lower cost per ounce, but if you’re unable to use it within Star San’s shelf life, you’ll just be throwing sanitizer away or using less effective past date sanitizer.  Getting a smaller bottle more often means your Star San is fresher.

Those estimations are for 8 ounces, double the numbers for 16 ounces.

Also:


Zinsser 30″ Wallpaper Prep Tray [cleaning, sanitizing and storage] – $6.79 + free prime ship

Zinsser 98030 30-Inch Wallpaper Prep Tray

More Info
Highlighted Features
  • Perfect for helping prepare and organize items during wallpapering
  • Dual use tray can be used for holding water or wet paper
  • Extra wide 30" frame allows for quick work with easy dipping
  • Extra durable construction features crush resistant corners
  • Comes in an attention catching color for easy locating during work
Learn More

From HBF: Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application.  Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application.  Always read and follow manufacturer directions. prod:B000RXA8IY

 

I use a wallpaper tray to clean and sanitize longer items like racking canes, auto-siphons, spoons, tubing and beverage out dip tubes.  It works great.  These also work well for storing longer items.  If you’re going to store things in these, I would recommend stacking a couple together to give them some extra strength.

What are Others Saying?  Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “homebrew” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

3/5 10 PM Central: These are selling for just $6.79. Shipping is also free to many US addresses with Prime Membership [Try Prime for Free] or a qualifying order.  Prices and availability can change quickly.  Check product page for current info – More About Prices

Zinsser 98030 Wallpaper Prep Tray – note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Five Star recommends limited contact time with ALL plastics.  See: Star San Tips – Materials Compatibility + Do Not Soak

15 x 10ml Syringes… $3.99 + Star San Tips & Tricks

Oral Syringe – Syringes with Covers by Care Touch - Great for Oral Medicine and Home Care, 10 Ml, 15 Count (Pack of 1)

15 x Syringes

More Info
Highlighted Features
  • VALUE PACK: Package includes 15 Syringes, oral syringe with cover. (No Needle)
  • DISPOSABLE: The syringes are disposable, for single use only.
  • STERILE: Each syringe is individually sealed.
  • SYRINGE ONLY: These syringes are with a luer slip tip, it does NOT HAVE A NEEDLE.
Learn More

From HBF: Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application.  Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application.  Always read and follow manufacturer directions.

 

Why would these have anything to do with homebrewing, you ask?  Great question.  These are an easy way to measure 6 mL of Star San.  Put 6 mL of Star San in 1 gallon of distilled water and you’ve got sanitizing solution.  Fill up a spray bottle and you’re ready to sanitize for pennies a batch.  See: Star San Tips, Tricks and Guidelines

At 3 ml, you’d need two syringes to get to 6 mL for 1 gallon of solution.

3/4 10 AM Central: These are on sale for just $3.99 (one time purchase price). Shipping is also free to many US addresses with Prime Membership [Try Prime for Free] or a qualifying order.  Prices and availability can 4:30  change quickly.  Check product page for current info – More About Prices

Oral Syringe – Syringes with Covers by Care Touch – Great for Oral Medicine and Home Care, 10 Ml, 15 Count (Pack of 1) – note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Continue reading →

EIGHT x Chemical Resistant Heavy Duty Spray Bottles

SupplyAID BDL-A0026 HDPE Heavy Duty Leak Proof, Plastic Spray Bottles, with Adjustable Non-Clogging Nozzle, For Commercial, Industrial, Household and Gardening Use, Measurements in Ounces, 8 Pack

Chemical Resistant Heavy Duty Spray Bottles

More Info
Highlighted Features
  • [ADJUSTABLE NOZZLE]: From a spray to a solid stream, the sprayer can be easily adjusted to suit your needs. Be prepared to tackle any job with a simple twist of the nozzle! Avoid waste with our extra-long tube that'll spray every last drop out!
  • [CHEMICAL RESISTANT]: The heavy duty 32 oz (about 900 ml) plastic spray bottle is chemically resistant to hold up against harsh chemicals and solvents.
  • [UPGRADED SPRAY HEAD & LEAK PROOF]: Our sprayer features a long lasting polypropylene spray head, tight and secure cap closure, internal cap gasket, 302 stainless steel spring and a precision valve and piston, for a no clog and no leak experience; A proven and reliable no leak venting system primes quickly and stays primed.
  • [HOUSEHOLD-COMMERCIAL-INDUSTRIAL USES]: Our plastic spray bottles have multi-purpose uses. Use them for cleaning solutions around the house, pet, cat, lawn and garden, misting and watering plants, succulents, herbs, ironing, laundry, car detailing, janitorial. Make your own homemade DIY cleaner mister or just use with water to cool yourself.
  • [BETTER TRIGGER DESIGN]: The unique design 4-finger trigger makes your fingers rest easily on it and the bottle fit comfortably in your hand, eliminating hand fatigue; Adjustable nozzle turns easily letting you switch from spray, stream or to off; Pull trigger has a short effortless squeeze reducing finger fatigue.
Learn More

From HBF: Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application.  Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application.  Always read and follow manufacturer directions.

 

Also: Star San Tips & Tricks – includes Spray Bottle Method of Sanitizing

SupplyAID BDL-A0026 HDPE Heavy Duty Leak Proof, Plastic Spray Bottles, with Adjustable Non-Clogging Nozzle, For Commercial, Industrial, Household and Gardening Use, Measurements in Ounces, 8 Pack – note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

EIGHT x Chemical Resistant Heavy Duty Spray Bottles

SupplyAID BDL-A0026 HDPE Heavy Duty Leak Proof, Plastic Spray Bottles, with Adjustable Non-Clogging Nozzle, For Commercial, Industrial, Household and Gardening Use, Measurements in Ounces, 8 Pack

Chemical Resistant Heavy Duty Spray Bottles

More Info
Highlighted Features
  • [ADJUSTABLE NOZZLE]: From a spray to a solid stream, the sprayer can be easily adjusted to suit your needs. Be prepared to tackle any job with a simple twist of the nozzle! Avoid waste with our extra-long tube that'll spray every last drop out!
  • [CHEMICAL RESISTANT]: The heavy duty 32 oz (about 900 ml) plastic spray bottle is chemically resistant to hold up against harsh chemicals and solvents.
  • [UPGRADED SPRAY HEAD & LEAK PROOF]: Our sprayer features a long lasting polypropylene spray head, tight and secure cap closure, internal cap gasket, 302 stainless steel spring and a precision valve and piston, for a no clog and no leak experience; A proven and reliable no leak venting system primes quickly and stays primed.
  • [HOUSEHOLD-COMMERCIAL-INDUSTRIAL USES]: Our plastic spray bottles have multi-purpose uses. Use them for cleaning solutions around the house, pet, cat, lawn and garden, misting and watering plants, succulents, herbs, ironing, laundry, car detailing, janitorial. Make your own homemade DIY cleaner mister or just use with water to cool yourself.
  • [BETTER TRIGGER DESIGN]: The unique design 4-finger trigger makes your fingers rest easily on it and the bottle fit comfortably in your hand, eliminating hand fatigue; Adjustable nozzle turns easily letting you switch from spray, stream or to off; Pull trigger has a short effortless squeeze reducing finger fatigue.
Learn More

From HBF: Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application.  Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application.  Always read and follow manufacturer directions.

 

Also: Star San Tips & Tricks – includes Spray Bottle Method of Sanitizing

SupplyAID BDL-A0026 HDPE Heavy Duty Leak Proof, Plastic Spray Bottles, with Adjustable Non-Clogging Nozzle, For Commercial, Industrial, Household and Gardening Use, Measurements in Ounces, 8 Pack – note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

15 x 10ml Syringes + Star San Tips & Tricks

Oral Syringe – Syringes with Covers by Care Touch - Great for Oral Medicine and Home Care, 10 Ml, 15 Count (Pack of 1)

15 x Syringes

More Info
Highlighted Features
  • VALUE PACK: Package includes 15 Syringes, oral syringe with cover. (No Needle)
  • DISPOSABLE: The syringes are disposable, for single use only.
  • STERILE: Each syringe is individually sealed.
  • SYRINGE ONLY: These syringes are with a luer slip tip, it does NOT HAVE A NEEDLE.
Learn More

From HBF: Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application.  Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application.  Always read and follow manufacturer directions.

 

Why would these have anything to do with homebrewing, you ask?  Great question.  These are an easy way to measure 6 mL of Star San.  Put 6 mL of Star San in 1 gallon of distilled water and you’ve got sanitizing solution.  Fill up a spray bottle and you’re ready to sanitize for pennies a batch.  See: Star San Tips, Tricks and Guidelines

At 3 ml, you’d need two syringes to get to 6 mL for 1 gallon of solution.

Oral Syringe – Syringes with Covers by Care Touch – Great for Oral Medicine and Home Care, 10 Ml, 15 Count (Pack of 1) – note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link


100 x Syringes – $12.99… 13 cents each + Star San Tips & Tricks

Brandzig 3ml Syringe - 100 Pack – Luer Slip Tip, No Needle, Individually Blister Packed - Medicine Administration for Infants, Toddlers and Small Pets

100 Syringes

More Info
Highlighted Features
  • QUALITY CONSTRICTION. These Brandzig 3ml oral syringe without needle are individually blister packed for safe use, expertly made from latex-free, medical grade plastic for durability and to eliminate the risk of an allergic reaction.
  • ORAL DISPENSER. Small in size, this syringe is ideal for administering medication to infants, toddlers and small pets. It sends the medicine to the side of the cheek, bypassing the taste buds to reduce the chances of spit-ups and ensuring an accurate dosage.
  • VERSATILE USE. It can also be used for projects that require small measurements or precise application.
  • CHOICE OF SIZE. To accommodate your needs, the oral syringes are available in 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-ml capacities. Each syringe is calibrated in both teaspoons and milliliters for precise measuring and delivering accurate doses of medicine.
  • AMPLE SUPPLY. Ideal for doctors, pediatric clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, health fairs and home use, each box contains 100 syringes to provide you with a sufficient supply. Each sterile syringe is individually sealed and designed for one time use only.
Learn More

From HBF: Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application.  Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application.  Always read and follow manufacturer directions.

 

Why would these have anything to do with homebrewing, you ask?  Great question.  These are an easy way to measure 6 mL of Star San.  Put 6 mL of Star San in 1 gallon of distilled water and you’ve got sanitizing solution.  Fill up a spray bottle and you’re ready to sanitize for pennies a batch.  See: Star San Tips, Tricks and Guidelines

At 3 ml, you’d need two syringes to get to 6 mL for 1 gallon of solution.

2/12 4:30 AM Central: These are selling for just $11.99. Shipping is also free to many US addresses with Prime Membership [Try Prime for Free] or a qualifying order.  Prices and availability can 4:30  change quickly.  Check product page for current info – More About Prices

Brandzig 3ml Syringe – 100 Pack – Luer Slip Tip, No Needle, Individually Blister Packed – Medicine Administration for Infants, Toddlers and Small Pets – note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link


Star San Tips – Materials Compatibility + Do Not Soak

star san materials compatibility

Star San is my homebrew sanitizer of choice.  When mixed properly, it’s food safe and no rinse.  Required contact time is five minutes.  It has worked very well for me for quite some time and I’m convinced that it’s one of the most economical solutions available if you’re using the “Spray Bottle Method” outlined here.

Star San Materials Compatibility

When Valuebrew released FDA Rated EPDM Keg O-Rings I did some digging on EPDM and learned that it’s pretty cool stuff. EPDM is the choice of many professional brewers and has some real advantages over silicone. One of the big ones is a much lower permeability. That means they seal better and since they’re less porous they are more resistant to absorbing off-smells and off-flavors.

Anyway, that’s the back story behind this section. While researching EPDM I found some nice materials compatibility charts showing what materials were compatible with what chemicals. Nice!


This made me wonder, what about Star San and PBW??

I reached out to Five Star Chemicals for some information on the subject. Unfortunately, a comprehensive run-down of compatibility was not available at the time I reached out to them.

I received this response from Ryan Alcala at Five Star Chemicals… “When it comes to our products they are compatible with stainless steel, glass, and rubber. They are not however compatible with softer metals like copper and aluminum.”

There are lots of materials we use that aren’t specifically listed in that list. I’m guessing both Star San and PBW have good compatibility with many of the materials we use. But, without a resource outlining materials compatibility, there is no definitive answer.

I can tell you from personal experience that Star San dissolved a plastic gallon jug that I had used for storage. It took a long time, but it started to dissolve the plastic. What kind of plastic was the jug?… I don’t know. But Star San was not compatible with that plastic for that amount of time. That Star San solution had dissolved plastic in it.  This is why I went to glass jugs.

That story is an illustration to make the point that just because we can’t see something happening doesn’t mean it’s not happening. Is Star San or PBW breaking down keg components, tubing and more?  I don’t know.

Personally, I’m going to try to limit contact time for both Star San and PBW as much as possible. Minimizing contact time will minimize any negative affects these chemicals have on homebrew gear.

Do Not… Soak

My initial thought is compatible = compatible. But… there’s also a time component. Just because Star San is compatible with a material doesn’t mean it’s compatible for any conceivable length of time.

From my contact at Five Star Chemicals… “Star San is an acid based sanitizer so if you are just leaving a piece of equipment soaking in it for hours it will eventually damage it”

Contact time for Star San is five minutes. That’s about how long you should leave a part sitting in Star San. Excessive time can cause damage.

Two materials that are an exception to this are stainless steel and glass.

This write-up is part of my Star San Resource Post – Jump To This Section

Continue reading →

Use a Wallpaper Prep Tray for Cleaning, Sanitizing and Storage of Longer Brewing Items

Pictured: Zinsser 98030 30-Inch Wallpaper Prep Tray – via Amazon

Part of Our Homebrew Tips and Tricks Series.  Check out the complete list – Homebrewing Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts! This is a Top Post! See: All Top Posts

Five Star recommends limited contact time with ALL plastics.  See: Star San Tips – Materials Compatibility + Do Not Soak

More Homebrew Finds!

Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application.  Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application.  Always read and follow manufacturer directions. toppost:wptray rp:tips#32 tag:tpru


Zinsser 30″ Wallpaper Prep Tray [cleaning, sanitizing and storage]

Zinsser 98030 30-Inch Wallpaper Prep Tray

More Info
Highlighted Features
  • Perfect for helping prepare and organize items during wallpapering
  • Dual use tray can be used for holding water or wet paper
  • Extra wide 30" frame allows for quick work with easy dipping
  • Extra durable construction features crush resistant corners
  • Comes in an attention catching color for easy locating during work
Learn More

From HBF: Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application.  Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application.  Always read and follow manufacturer directions. prod:B000RXA8IY

 

I use a wallpaper tray to clean and sanitize longer items like racking canes, auto-siphons, spoons, tubing and beverage out dip tubes.  It works great.  These also work well for storing longer items.  If you’re going to store things in these, I would recommend stacking a couple together to give them some extra strength.

What are Others Saying?  Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “homebrew” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

Zinsser 98030 Wallpaper Prep Tray – note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Five Star recommends limited contact time with ALL plastics.  See: Star San Tips – Materials Compatibility + Do Not Soak