Just got done transferring to a secondary. I star-sanned the hell out of everything, after using PBW to rinse. My hands are in kind of bad shape - lots of cracking. After racking to primary, the skin on my hands started peeling Do any of you have problems like this after sanitizing? Would vinyl gloves help? Any advice? I'm determined not to let this batch get contaminated, like my last one. Am definitely not "fearing the foam" in all aspect of brewing this batch. But would like some pointers, if possible.
Either you're making too strong a solution, or you're particularly sensitive to phosphoric acid. StarSan is pretty rough when not diluted, but not terribly so when diluted properly -- again, unless you're sensitive to it. Either way, vinyl gloves won't hurt. I'd stay away from anything powdered, though, and perhaps wash them well before using them around beer stuff just to be safe.
Brewing, in general, drys out my hands so much that I have actually purchased Aquaphor for my hands. One or two applications after my brewday is done, and my hands are back to normal.
My fingers are always peeling after I come into contact with sanitize, but I also climb and my fingers are usually peeking from that to begin with.
i'm a pharmacist. you may want to try applying Barrier cream before you start your cleansing. it may prevent some of the dryness/dermatitis you're experiencing.
Thanks for the responses. I'm someone who washes his hands too much to begin with, and the same mentality has been applied to my homebrewing process. After brew day, my hands started peeling after about 2 days, and essentially gave me a new layer of skin. When I racked to the secondary yesterday, the tips of my fingers started cracking, and today I'm seeing the peeling starting to re-emerge. I suspect too high of a concentrate of star san in my solutions, and not enough water. I also one of those guys that sprays everything without rinsing before I transfer (well, I am now after my first batch was contaminated). In any case, will look into Barrier, and gloves. This batch is tasting great so far. Just dry-hopped, and hopping for better results. Cheers!
The correct ratio is one ounce starsan per 5 gallons of water. (The starsan bottle has a 'staging reservoir' at the top with graduated markings.)
If you are sensitive to the Starsan you could use Iodophor instead. You just need to give it a minute or so to work, it doesn't work immediately on contact. I have sensitive skin and have had no problems with it. Or you could use a combination of products, and use Starsan only on the stuff you aren't directly touching (like the inside of carboys/bottles).
