starsan always foamy when splashed or poured?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by makisupapolice14, Jan 28, 2014.

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  1. makisupapolice14

    makisupapolice14 Pundit (799) Jun 5, 2005 New York

    In the past I've always used iodophore to sanitize but today I used stars an for the first time. Prepared a two and a half gallon batch and when I siphoned from my sanitizing bucket to primary to sanitize it was very foamy upon dumping out the starsan. (About a quarter of the primary was filled with foam}. Is this typical?

    I added 1/4 oz to 2.5 gallons- fyi
     
  2. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    Don't fear the foam...seriously, Starsan is a great acid based sanitizer...kinda like pee'in...shake and drain, but don't fear a little splatter :slight_smile: Cheers

    Don't need to thoroughly rinse Starsan...unlike Iodophor...but you should be mixing ~ 1/2 oz to 2.5 gallons of distilled/RO preferred water
     
    #2 GreenKrusty101, Jan 28, 2014
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2014
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  3. OddNotion

    OddNotion Pooh-Bah (1,915) Nov 1, 2009 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    Well your answer was much more entertaining than the generic "yes" I would have given.
     
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  4. rocdoc1

    rocdoc1 Savant (1,215) Jan 13, 2006 New Mexico

    Very typical, it helps ensure full contact with all surfaces. There is a non foaming version but I can't remember the name.
     
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  5. epic1856

    epic1856 Initiate (0) Aug 11, 2006 California

    Saniclean is the non foam version of Starsan if the foam bothers you.
     
  6. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,250) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    Sani-clean, I think.

    Anyhow, the foam instigates fear in many first time users, but the "don't fear the foam" line exists for a reason. While you look at it and think "soapy," you need to readjust your perspective. Think of the foam as something that kills bad guys and yet provides a small bit of phosphorus nutrition to the good guys, when all is said and done.
     
  7. ssam

    ssam Pundit (997) Dec 2, 2008 California

    Don't fear the foam! I think it even says that on the label.
     
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  8. makisupapolice14

    makisupapolice14 Pundit (799) Jun 5, 2005 New York


    Oops I prepared in that manner good to hear my concerns are no big deal
     
  9. ssam

    ssam Pundit (997) Dec 2, 2008 California


    I'm pretty sure you can use a lesser concentration of Iodophor to make it no-rinse as well.
     
  10. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    I can use a lesser concentration of anything...but will it kill bugs and add no medicinal flavors with a quick douching? :slight_smile:
    No idophor douches for me :stuck_out_tongue:
     
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  11. ssam

    ssam Pundit (997) Dec 2, 2008 California

    The recommended amount of Iodophor on the bottle's instructions is no-rinse. You need some contact time, but that's the same with starsan.

    That said, I prefer starsan and use it almost exclusively.
     
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  12. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    I can tell you from experience that unrinsed idophor leaves a "taint" :slight_smile:
     
  13. ssam

    ssam Pundit (997) Dec 2, 2008 California

    Are you sure you were douching with the proper concentration?
     
  14. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    I always (used to) douche with the proper concentration :slight_smile:

    1 capful per 5 gallons...or until solution turns faint yellow (1.6% titratable iodine)
     
  15. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    Who doesn't like bubbles?!
     
  16. ipas-for-life

    ipas-for-life Savant (1,041) Feb 28, 2012 Virginia

    Buckets are easy. I purchased a storage tub to use as a sanitary environment during brew days. I fill the bottom with about 1/4 inch of Starsan/water mix and spray the sides with Starsan also. I usually sanitize my buckets a 1/2 hour or more before I need them and then let them sit upside down in the storage tub to drain.

    With better bottles it is more of a pain. I usually use a spray bottle with starsan and hold the better bottle upside down. Then leave it upside down in the bucket I use to hold the sanitizer to drain.

    But like everyone else said it is not that big of a deal. A little bit of foam shouldn't hurt.
     
  17. kdb150

    kdb150 Initiate (0) Mar 8, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Very normal. "Don't fear the foam" is really good advice. I'm still not totally over my fear of foam, although I think it's down for the count now that I've started kegging, since getting all or even most of the foam out of a corny is nigh-on impossible without making the thing unsanitary again. Racked my first keg beer right onto a pile of foam, and it came out perfect.
     
  18. Marshall_ofmcap

    Marshall_ofmcap Initiate (0) Jul 17, 2013 Colorado

    I at one point used starsan to sanitize a water bottle. I'm only about 30% sure I remembered to empty it before taking a drink. just got heartburn. so whats a little foam
     
  19. ssam

    ssam Pundit (997) Dec 2, 2008 California

    I've heard that the foam is pretty much yeast nutrient. Any truth in that?
     
  20. harryhood1

    harryhood1 Initiate (0) Dec 5, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Definitely don't fear the foam. As far as it becoming yeast nutrient, I believe that was found to be some BS claim.
     
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