Saving sanitizer?

As my grandpa says: I'm hard up, but not that hard up!

For the amount of Starsan used for each batch of beer I make, I mix up a fresh batch each time. We are talking pennies here. Compared to the cost of brewing a batch of beer, I wont risk ruining a batch because of cutting corners in sanitation to save a few cents.

 

You don't have room for another ale pale with a lid? I make it up 5 gal at a time and use it for my auto siphon and spray bottle refills. It will usually last me about 8 months this way. Hell, I can barely get the lids off sometimes.

 

Would there be an advantage to using two different acids? I'm a fan of Oxiclean because the pH goes way up, then I crash it way down with SS. You could probably argue that it's easier to rinse and less likely to have that soapy flavor.

 

Convincing the significant other that you need ANOTHER bucket/carboy/freezer/kettle can be a challenge at times, even if space isn't a constrait

 

Iodiphor is only mildly acidic, it depends in the iodine for sanitation. Some believe that you need to change sanitizer so that bugs and critters are not getting acclimated. A guy on another forum said he had a phenolic off flavor using SS, and plated out what was living, probably Brett.

 

I just don't feel comfortable leaving StarSan in plastic buckets that long. I'm sure it's probably fine, the concentrate comes in a plastic container, but just one of those possibly irrational things I can't shake.

 

I use distilled water to make 5 gallons of StarSan. I keep it in a plastic bucket with a lid that seals tightly. I will keep and reuse it for about 4-6 months. I've had to replace the bucket once in the last 4 years because the lid got cracked. I never have any issues with sanitization.

 

Starsan storage is what I now use better bottles for...buckets are too valuable as fermenters : )

 

I just use whatever leftover distilled water in the jug I have (I cut my mash with tap water) and add my SS; in an appropriate ratio. The distilled water comes in a plastic gallon milk jug. I use this til I need more. I then have this to feed my spray bottle. Simple. And a small opening so no dust or debris getting in. Lasts a good while, and I'm a frugal mofo.