Re-use sanitizer?

Northern Brewer General
1

Can you re-use say 6 gallon of sanitizer for the complete batch of beer? After sanitizing carboy, splurge bucket, funnels and everything else, I would seal in a bucket and use just prior to bottling, all bottles, buckets and equipment related to that. Also Bleach or star san?

Thanks in advance. New-bee

2

[quote=“murphsharp”]Can you re-use say 6 gallon of sanitizer for the complete batch of beer? After sanitizing carboy, splurge bucket, funnels and everything else, I would seal in a bucket and use just prior to bottling, all bottles, buckets and equipment related to that. Also Bleach or star san?

Thanks in advance. New-bee[/quote]
Yes, to reuse.

Most prefer starsan over bleach. Safer and no rinse.

If you make starsan with distilled water it will last longer. As long as pH is below 3 it’s still good.

3

[quote=“murphsharp”]Can you re-use say 6 gallon of sanitizer for the complete batch of beer? After sanitizing carboy, splurge bucket, funnels and everything else, I would seal in a bucket and use just prior to bottling, all bottles, buckets and equipment related to that. Also Bleach or star san?

Thanks in advance. New-bee[/quote]
Star san can definitely be saved. Not sure about others. And without a doubt Starsan over bleach. Bleach leaves a smell/taste that takes a lot of rinsing to get rid of.
One tip- you don’t have to fill your 6 G bucket with diluted starsan. A small amount works well- shake it up to coat all surfaces. I usually mix up 2.5G fresh on brewing day, sanitize everything that needs it, fill a spray bottle to use as needed, put 1G in a milk jug to save if needed, and then put 1/2 G in another milk jug to use as a blowoff if needed.

4

Very good advice above. I can’t stress how beneficial it is to only mix a 2.5 gal batch of star san or less. Remember that the item only needs to get wet to sanitize and NOT submerged the entire 30 secs.

5

I do a gallon at a time. Measure just below the 1/4oz line. Neve had any issues. I usually use that gallon for a least two compete batches.

6

I’ve been mixing it up in a 1 gal glass bottle and dispensing it from there to spray bottles, sponges, and bottle washers. The purchase of a plastic spray/mist-er bottle has been the best investment in brewing accessories yet. The second best accessory may be the colander used to dip/spray small parts (like bottle caps) en-mass in the StarSan.

A spray bottle will cut your sanitizer volume requirements considerably.

7

So my answer is going to match, at least in part, some of the comments above. But I’ll spell out what I personally would recommend in total

First off - Go with Star San. forget bleach and all that. Star san.

Go to Lowes, Home Depot - any place like that. But one of their $5.00 or so buckets and a lid. Also get a spray bottle. I personally say splurge a bit and get the nicer $3 or so one versus those cheap $0.99 ones you see at the dollar store

Mix up about 2 1/2 gallons. you don’t need the full 5 gallons I think it says on the star san bottle. just cut the amount in 1/2. Use distilled water.

then, store it in your shiny new bucket. fill the spray bottle up with some too. I love having a good spray bottle with it, I run around like john wayne spraying everything in site on brew day - ha ha.

then yep - you can use it again, and again, and again. buy ph strips, use until it below 3 as noted above. having said that, I do tend to start over after maybe 3-4 batches (both fermenting and bottling). I figure 8 or so uses (4 for brewing, 4 or so for bottling) is pretty good. I may be able to get even more out of it, but the star san will last you quite awhile anyway

hope this helps

8

Thanks all for replying and some very good advice.

Murphsharp !

9

When I started I was making 6 gallons of Iodophor to fill my carboys, I have since moved to Star San and make 2 1/2 gallons now with distilled water. I find that it lasts longer with distilled, about 2.5+ months. I also fill up a big spray bottle with it. I love the stuff!

The biggest lesson that I have to learn and to get use to is don’t fear the foam!

10

I make 2.5 gallons of Star-san to use on brew day then save it in a sealed bucket to use when I keg the batch, that’s usually 3-4 weeks. I know it will last longer but I figure as cheap as it is, getting 2 uses out of a batch is good enough. I do keep a spray bottle around for months though and check the pH every now and then.

11

Yes reuse it. Bought pH strips from ebay for cheap. http://www.ebay.com/itm/380852955772?ss … 1439.l2649