Dumb suggestions from the LHBS

"Star San is a blend of phosphoric acid and dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid."

Phosphoric acid dissociates in water and the phosphate ion is readily taken up by microbes like yeast (plants too) and assimilated. Like diammonium phosphate provides phosphorus (and nitrogen), so does phosphoric acid. (Phosphate is important to making DNA, ATP, and probably lots of other biochemicals). According to wikipedia, ddbs breaks down rapidly under aerobic conditions and slowly under anaerobic conditions. It's not clear to me that yeast would be able to break it down (usually when I read aerobic or anaerobic breakdown, I assume microbes are expediting something the would otherwise go more slowly), but if so, the sulfate could act as a micronutrient and the carbon chains, an energy source. Regardless, I would not rely on residual star san is an effective nutrient.

 

My first attempt with a kit on the one gallon scale had instructions in it for a 5 gallon kit. Everything was fine when you add a bag of ingredients. The problem came in when the priming sugar was not provided and you had a measurement. Thank god it was a gallon and we were anxious and opened most at 1 week. Since it was a chocolate stout the sweetness was not a disaster. A few weeks later I had to clean the ceiling.

 

I don't think I've ever gotten a dumb suggestion from LHBS, because I did my homework and knew what I wanted when I walked in the door. That being said, I've been blessed with some truly righteous LHBS (Weekend Brewer [now defunct, these folks were dope, and I'm sad to know they're gone], Home Sweet Homebrew, Keystone, Philly Homebrew Outlet, Maryland Homebrew Supply, MyLHBS).
Everybody at these shops actually cares, and knows that online is an option nowadays.

 

Typically X= 3-7 days... Papasian says the same.

 

I'll give it a try to remind myself; I haven't use it more than a couple times. Truth is, as much as I dislike an abundance of crystal malt, I don't always want pale ale beers to be exceedingly dry, either. Maybe CaraFoam will help me find my sweet spot.