[Steve]

I've heard of using phosphoric acid to "acidify" the StarSan solution.

In 1 oz. of STAR SAN/5 gallons of tap water there is 780 ppm of phosphoric acid. why would you add more?

[denny]

Because even with that level there sometimes isn't enough to drop the pH to where it needs to be.

[oscarvan]

Does anyone know if it has any negative effects on copper? Can I dip my wort chiller into a bucket of it to sanitize it, or will this cause issue with the metal?

Nope, that's fine.  But why not sanitize it by putting it into the boiling wort?

I used to do that. The water in the coil starts boiling and the plastic hoses I have on there get too soft as they are not rated for 200+ now I just dump the thing in the bucket full of sanitizer, and let it sit until I need it. (I make a 5 gallon batch before I start brewing).

[hamiltont]

I used to do that. The water in the coil starts boiling and the plastic hoses I have on there get too soft as they are not rated for 200+ now I just dump the thing in the bucket full of sanitizer, and let it sit until I need it. (I make a 5 gallon batch before I start brewing).

I drain the "coil" wort chiller after each use & don't seem to run into this problem? Cheers!!!

[euge]

I sanitize my IC chiller with starsan. Then it goes in at the end of the boil. Why? Because when I drop the IC into the boiling wort it stops the boiling and lowers the temp automatically.

Got tired of waiting for the boil to restart when I'm also tossing in late hop additions. I figure clean sanitized chiller + hot wort = no problem. And so far it has been... no problem. 

[denny]

I just turn the heat up when I put in the chiller and turn it back down once it comes to a boil.

[hamiltont]

I just turn the heat up when I put in the chiller and turn it back down once it comes to a boil.

Same here. As soon as it goes in the wort the flame goes back to high and  it usually rebounds in less than a minute for 10 gallons. Turn the flame back down and then the Irish Moss and 15 minute hops addition goes in, if there is one. One thing I should mention. I drain the IC after each use. I could see if it were full of water it would have a much greater effect on the boil. Cheers!!!

[euge]

Don't drain mine...

[richardt]

You should if you live somewhere that freezes.

I live in NE Florida and I still drain my IC by holding it upside down and even pushing a little air pressure through the tubing to push the remaining water out of the IC.  I store my IC with the corny kegs in the garage--a corny keg helps maintain the IC's shape. 
No sense in having a ruptured IC because the temps got below freezing.   
Also, no sense in encouraging pitting or galvanic corrosion by having water in the IC when it isn't being used.