When it comes to sanitization, homebrewers choose only the proven solutions and there’s no more popular than StarSan.
If you are only starting your homebrewing journey you don’t have experience with StarSan and probably have a few questions regarding its purpose, safety, and how it works. Moreover, to effectively use the StarSan solution you need to be aware of a few simple practices, so you don’t negate its entire purpose by thinking about how it could hurt you if you drink it.
Water-diluted StarSan is not dangerous in small amounts, so its foam is edible and it won’t hurt you or your homebrew. It’s normal to bottle with some foam or to prepare a wort in a foamy fermenter, just keep it minimal.
Now, let me explain things in detail, so your mind will be at ease.
How does StarSan work?
StarSan is a sanitizing solution that is based on phosphoric acid and dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid which effectively prevents possible homebrewing infection caused by the bacteria.
StarSan is capable of targeting unwanted gems, while it’s safe for ingredients and works great along with homebrewing equipment.
When it’s applied to the surface it will keep it acidy for some time and protect it from environmental dangers which could contaminate homebrewing gear. Due to this reason, it’s important to bear in mind that once it dries out, the surface can get contaminated again.
Is the StarSan foam dangerous?
StarSan is a self-foaming sanitizer and it will create lots of foam when mixed with water, so be careful not to put too much of it into a solution.
StarSan foam is not dangerous and you shouldn’t fear it if it remains on your homebrewing gear, fermenter, or in bottles.
Although the foam is not dangerous, It’s good to be careful when you create the solution because too much foam will make things harder to operate and too much foam may slightly affect the taste (yet we are talking about a really high amount of foam which can’t be achieved unless it’s intentional).
Why you shouldn’t rinse StarSan?
You shouldn’t rinse your homebrewing equipment after applying StarSan to it because it will defy its purpose.
Rinsing, the already sanitized surface will possibly contaminate the surface and completely deny any StarSan effectiveness.
For this reason, you should first remove any visible dirt from the equipment with water or detergent, let it dry, and then apply StarSan over it to make it sanitized.
After that step, remove the StarSan liquid by using gravity. Simply take a bottle, fermenter, or any part of the gear and drain most of the solution out of it, but do not touch it!
Some remaining foam won’t hurt you and it’s completely a normal practice for all homebrewers to leave some foam in fermenters and bottles.
When can StarSan be dangerous?
StarSan diluted in water is rarely dangerous and you’ll need to make a real mistake for it to have any negative effect on you like intentionally drinking it or washing your eyes with it.
Concentrated StarSan is dangerous if it comes in contact with eyes if it’s inhaled or swallowed as it’s indicated on the label of a bottle.
Even diluted solution shouldn’t get in contact with the eyes or be swallowed, so if it happens rinse your eyes with water for 15-20 minutes and call an ambulance, in any case, to be sure.
Acid can have a detrimental effect on skin and nerves, so it’s also good to wear gloves to be extra safe. This is not something that I can confirm with a source connected to a StarSan, but it makes sense that long-term contact with acid can lead to damage.
I always say, better be safe than sorry.
Will StarSan affect the taste of homebrew?
I add 6 ml of StarSan per 1 gallon of water and this makes for a strong effect with moderate foaming. Adding more than this will increase the foam and it will be harder to control the process, so eventually, you may end up with more solution in your fermenter and bottles than you would want and in such a case, StarSan could affect the taste of homebrew and make it acidy.
However, for this to happen you would really need to put a lot of StarSan into water (probably more than 30ml per gallon to really sense the effect). If you follow the normal solution recipe, StarSan won’t affect the taste of your homebrew.
If you wonder how StarSan tastes, think of green apples, but the only flavor you taste is acid.
So, remember StarSan and its foam is good for your homebrew whether it’s beer, mead, cider, or whatever you are brewing!
Not utilizing the power of StarSan can lead to terrible off-tastes in a homebrew (link to all possible off-tastes) and the most notorious one is the acid, vinegary taste.