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Author Topic: Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?  (Read 8032 times)

Offline liquidbrewing

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So after reading a few posts, forgot which forum it was,  I wondered something.  I always store my empty kegs under pressure with a little Starsan solution in them.  My empty fermenters as well.  (I have glass and plastic carboys, better bottles)

Some people say you shouldn't store anything in sanitizer.  Is this true?  They say it breaks down the material.  Well my Starsan arrived at my house, full strength, in a plastic bottle, is it not ok to dillute it and leave it in a fermenter/keg (glass, plastic, Stainless steel)?? 

Or am I just finding something else to obsess over?!! ???
Justin
Liquid Brewing, Co.
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Offline theDarkSide

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Re: Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2011, 12:01:46 pm »
If you use distilled water, it is no problem.  I know people mix their sanitizer and keep it in a spare keg and pull off what they need.

If you use your regular water, the minerals in there may affect the SS over time.
« Last Edit: April 13, 2011, 12:03:41 pm by theDarkSide »
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Offline Hokerer

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Re: Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2011, 12:06:33 pm »
I always store my empty kegs under pressure with a little Starsan solution in them.  My empty fermenters as well.  (I have glass and plastic carboys, better bottles)

Personally, I prefer to store mine dry.  In any case, I wouldn't store carboys under pressure, though :)
Joe

Offline denny

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Re: Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2011, 12:09:18 pm »
I guess I wonder why you store them with StarSan in them.
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Offline liquidbrewing

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Re: Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2011, 12:22:19 pm »
I thought that went without saying, but, I guess so I don't have to sanitize them when I want to keg something.
Justin
Liquid Brewing, Co.
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Offline euge

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Re: Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2011, 12:30:19 pm »
I thought that went without saying, but, I guess so I don't have to sanitize them when I want to keg something.

Sanitize. Empty. Seal. Pressurize. Store until needed. No need to keep the sanitizer in the kegs. I don't see the benefit of keeping the solution in the kegs.
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Offline gmwren

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Re: Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2011, 01:43:25 pm »
I store some kegs filled with StarSan. I typically only have two or three filled and I do it not for the sanitizing of kegs, but long term storage of sanitizer. My water is very low in salts and minerals and still maintains the proper pH after several months. After a soak in PBW, I rinse, push the StarSan over with CO2, then seal the old storage kegs.
But I would like to know if it causes long term damage.

Offline Bret

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Re: Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?
« Reply #7 on: April 13, 2011, 01:56:20 pm »
I thought that went without saying, but, I guess so I don't have to sanitize them when I want to keg something.

Sanitize. Empty. Seal. Pressurize. Store until needed. No need to keep the sanitizer in the kegs. I don't see the benefit of keeping the solution in the kegs.
Euge, why do you think it is necessary to pressurize to store the legs?
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Offline euge

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Re: Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2011, 02:30:06 pm »
I do about half the time and it's just a few psi. Mainly so I know the seals are good. Not necessary though.
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Offline Slowbrew

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Re: Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?
« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2011, 02:49:29 pm »
I store my StarSan in a sealed plastic bucket. 

I also store my empty kegs under pressure just so I know if I have a slow leak.  I sanitize them before I seal them up so I don't have to on the day I use them.

Paul
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Offline maxieboy

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Re: Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?
« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2011, 03:05:06 pm »
I thought that went without saying, but, I guess so I don't have to sanitize them when I want to keg something.

Sanitize. Empty. Seal. Pressurize. Store until needed. No need to keep the sanitizer in the kegs. I don't see the benefit of keeping the solution in the kegs.
Euge, why do you think it is necessary to pressurize to store the legs?

I'll tell you why I do. So they're ready to go when you need them. Sanitized and purged w/ CO2(push sanitizing solution out with CO2). Burp the relief valve to verify it held pressure and go!
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Offline denny

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Re: Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2011, 03:23:46 pm »
I don't pre sanitize, but I do store under pressure.  If I go to use a keg and it has no pressure on it, I know it's leaky before I use it.
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Offline Pinski

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Re: Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?
« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2011, 03:46:58 pm »
I thought that went without saying, but, I guess so I don't have to sanitize them when I want to keg something.

Sanitize. Empty. Seal. Pressurize. Store until needed. No need to keep the sanitizer in the kegs. I don't see the benefit of keeping the solution in the kegs.
I like this method as well. Inside is clean and sanitized, you know right away if you have a leak if there's no pressure to release. I just spray a little SS on the posts and we're ready to keg!
Steve Carper
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Offline Pinski

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Re: Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?
« Reply #13 on: April 13, 2011, 03:49:55 pm »
I like to keep a couple gallons of starsan in the carboys if it's relatively fresh and clear. You can get several uses out of the stuff and make it last.  The brewmistress on the other hand... she get's a little dump happy if not supervised. 
Steve Carper
Green Dragon Brewers
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Offline Bret

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Re: Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?
« Reply #14 on: April 13, 2011, 04:17:34 pm »
I guess my kegs are more reliable than most?

@Euge--fair enough.
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