saving sanitation solution?

[jeeptp75]

Have my first batch in the secondary fermenter as we speak. As we get to the point were I need to be checking the specific gravity every two days till it gets to a certain point. I am mixing a new gallon of sanatizer solution all the time. Can I save it in a spray bottle or something and spray it on and wash stuff as needed during the process?

 

[Runningwolf]

Yes you can. The preferred method would be to keep it in a glass container and also a spray bottle depending how much you have.

 

[dralarms]

Yup. As long as it's in a sealed container it will last for months. Even an open container will last a while but have actually had mold grow on the surface of a bucket because it was open and not enough k-meta

 

[dralarms]

Dang Dan you type fast.

 

[jojabri]

What type of sanitizing solution? All I have currently is Campden tablets. I was wondering this myself. Does it stay effective or lose it's potency?

 

[Runningwolf]

We are talking about a solution of k-meta and citric acid.

 

[jojabri]

Hrm, okay, got that. Very helpful, thank you!
Where can I find the amounts/ratios for this solution?

 

[WellingtonToad]

I don't know how this will go down, but for some years (making beer) I have been doing this:-
I keep a bottle of sanitising solution in the pantry. When I finish a bottle of beer/wine, I rinse the bottle and add a shot of sanitizing solution(not too accurate just about) and recap using the old cap. (I use screw caps on wine)
When it comes time to bottle, I give the bottle a shake. Remove and throw the cap away. Pour the sanitizing solution into a jug/bucket, and fill the bottle.
Once all of the bottles are full and demijohn/fermenter are empty, I wash the demijohn/fermenter and add the sanitizing solution to the demijohn/fermenter.
You can test the sanitiser by putting your nose into the jug/bucket. If you get whiplash then it is still good.

Recycles the sanitiser, and saves on the cleaning.

 

[jojabri]

Just made up a solution, and WOW! I totally get what Wellington Toad meant about whiplash!

 

[WellingtonToad]

Jojabri,
Thanks for that you have brightened up my day. I have just been sitting here chuckling away.

 

[Rosa321]

Does anybody use Star San sanitizer in this manner?

I couldn't stand the smell of K-meta, and I had bad luck with using Iodine, so I found my way to Star San and I love it! Anyway.....I picked up a big bottle at my LHBS today and the lady there asked me if I was saving my solution. She said that she saves K-Meta but Star San was recommended to her for beer brewing, and she wasn't sure if she could make some and save it.

I didn't have a answer because I hadn't ever thought of it. I have been making a new solution every time I needed it DOH!

So definitely let me know if you have had experience saving Star San. I would definitely find this easier.....at least to have a spray bottle or something for equipment.

THANKS!
Rosa

P.S. We're talking about making a batch and saving some unused solution for sanitizing equipment at a later date. Not re-using the same sanitizing solution again and again.

 

[mkjennison]

P.S. We're talking about making a batch and saving some unused solution for sanitizing equipment at a later date. Not re-using the same sanitizing solution again and again.

I do this. I usually make up a 2 gallon batch with distilled water (I have really hard water where I am) and toss 1gal back into the water container and label it. I'll put some of it into a spray bottle and hold onto it for awhile..

I have no idea how long it lasts, and don't have any hard data, but I read at one point it has something to do with the pH... as long as it is below a certain value the solution is good. I'll keep sanitizer for the duration of the primary-secondary of a batch, then toss it, usually.

 

[olusteebus]

I make five gallons of starsan (actually only about 4 or so) in a bucket. I place a lid on it when I am not using it and it lasts a good while. I am comfortable using it for three weeks. I could probably use it longer.

 

[kryptonitewine]

I use distilled water to mix starsan. It lasts much longer for me. If I use city water it turns cloudy in a couple weeks. With distilled it stays clear a long time. Not really sure if it maters but I don't like cloudy solution.


Jim

 

[cimbaliw]

I was once told that if the pH is 3.2 or lower you're ok to use. Some people say it's good until it turns cloudy. When I was using StarSan, I've switched to KMeta, for my small operation I'd make a gallon at a time and change it out every 4 weeks or so. I used city water.

BC... I love the smell of KMeta in the morning. Not really.

 

[mkjennison]

BC... I love the smell of KMeta in the morning. Not really.

Bahahahah!! *puke*