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Author Topic: Star-San Dependence  (Read 5223 times)

Offline gmac

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Star-San Dependence
« on: June 24, 2013, 04:02:52 pm »
I've been using Star-San exclusively now for a couple years.  I'm starting to wonder if I should try a different sanitizer in order to avoid any sort of resistance development with the bacteria in my system.  I have a keg of IPA that has a distinct phenolic flavour reminiscent of smoked malt and it must be an infection but I can't say for sure that I did everything perfect when I kegged the beer so I can't really blame the sanitizer.
Do you rotate your sanitizer?  Should I try iodophor or something different just to keep the bacteria guessing?
Thanks.

Offline AmandaK

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Re: Star-San Dependence
« Reply #1 on: June 24, 2013, 04:04:17 pm »
I switch from Star San to Iodophor randomly. Those little buggies never see it coming!! :)

But seriously, I brew sours, so I have to be extra careful.
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Offline davidgzach

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Re: Star-San Dependence
« Reply #2 on: June 24, 2013, 04:41:43 pm »
Been StarSan exclusive for about 5 years now without an issue.

Dave
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Offline troybinso

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Re: Star-San Dependence
« Reply #3 on: June 24, 2013, 05:31:02 pm »
It seems like a good idea to switch it up, but I never do and haven't had a problem. Star-san is supposed to be good up to a pH of 3, and I have tested it right after mixing it up and it is real close to a pH of 2. I guess it is possible for the bugs to build up a resistance to a certain pH level, but it seems unlikely.

Offline Jimmy K

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Re: Star-San Dependence
« Reply #4 on: June 25, 2013, 06:36:26 am »
I don't think acidity is something bacteria will build resistance to like an antibiotic, and the population is constantly being reinnoculated with bacteria from unexposed sources - but it won't hurt either.
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Offline Pinski

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Re: Star-San Dependence
« Reply #5 on: June 25, 2013, 08:38:49 am »
Hi, my name is Steve... and I have StarSan dependency. 
But I could stop at any time. 
It's just so simple, effective and non-staining or stinky. Haven't had any issues using it exclusively for years. 
« Last Edit: June 25, 2013, 08:57:15 am by Pinski »
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Offline Joe Sr.

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Re: Star-San Dependence
« Reply #6 on: June 25, 2013, 08:50:50 am »
I switch from Star San to Iodophor randomly. Those little buggies never see it coming!! :)

I do this as well.  There's no plan to it, I just use whatever I happen to grab.
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Offline denny

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Re: Star-San Dependence
« Reply #7 on: June 25, 2013, 09:59:59 am »
I switched from iodopbhor to StarSan because I had a persistent low level infection that iodophor couldn't deal with.  StarSan knocked it out.  That was 8-10 years ago and I've never had the problem again.
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Offline gmac

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Re: Star-San Dependence
« Reply #8 on: June 25, 2013, 02:41:11 pm »
OK, just wondered.
I seem to have some sort of white fungal infection (in my beer, not personally) that seems to be showing up from time to time.  I'll try to post a picture but I'm wondering if Star-San wasn't taking care of it.  Not sure what it is or what to do about it.  Not sure if Star-San does fungus or not.

Offline jjflash

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Re: Star-San Dependence
« Reply #9 on: June 29, 2013, 08:25:53 am »
After brewing for a while our equipment builds up crud in every crack and crevice. StarSan of course will not penetrate crud to sanitize.  I have always used hot PBW and oxyclean on my gear and thought I was doing an excellent job of cleaning.  Recently I used TM Desanamax caustic cleaner I was amazed at all the crud that came out of the places I could not see to clean! Personally I now believe failure to thoroughly clean is more of an issue rather than resistance to the sanitizer. 
---JJ---

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Offline euge

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Re: Star-San Dependence
« Reply #10 on: June 29, 2013, 08:47:11 am »
Don't go looking for trouble in the shadows!

I have the utmost confidence with starsan and see no need to switch it up. The only time there was trouble was when I did switch to iodophor. I immediately began to see infections.
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