Do I need to rinse Star San?

No. Star San is a no-rinse sanitiser at the correct dilution (approximately 0.3ml per litre). The foam is safe and will not affect your beer flavour. The saying is "don't fear the foam." Let equipment drain but do not rinse with water, which could introduce contamination.

What is the best sanitiser for homebrewing?

Star San and ChemSan are the most popular no-rinse options. They are fast-acting (1-2 minutes contact), safe for all equipment, and do not require rinsing. Sodium metabisulphite is cheaper but needs longer contact time and rinsing.

How long does mixed sanitiser last?

Star San solution stays effective as long as the pH remains below 3.5. In a sealed container with distilled water, it can last weeks or months. Test with pH strips -- if above 3.5, make a fresh batch. Solution made with hard tap water degrades faster.

Do I need to sanitise everything?

Sanitise everything that contacts the wort after the boil: fermenter, lid, airlock, siphon, bottles, caps, bottling wand, and any other equipment. Before the boil, regular cleaning is sufficient as the boiling wort is being sterilised.

What about cleaning vs sanitising?

Cleaning removes dirt, residue and deposits. Sanitising kills microorganisms. You must clean first, then sanitise. Use PBW (Powdered Brewery Wash) or OxiClean for cleaning, then follow with a sanitiser. Sanitiser cannot penetrate dirt or residue.

BrewCalcs

Sanitiser Calculator

Calculate sanitiser solution concentration for your equipment volume.

Water Volume

Volume of sanitiser solution to make

Sanitiser Type

Choose the sanitiser you are using

Equipment Items

Number of items to sanitise (for planning how many batches of solution you need)

How We Calculate This

Sanitiser Dilution

Each sanitiser has a recommended concentration: Amount = Water Volume x Rate per Litre. Star San uses approximately 0.3ml per litre (1ml per gallon). ChemSan uses about 0.5ml per litre. Contact time varies from 1 minute (Star San) to 20 minutes (bleach).

Frequently Asked Questions

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Estimate homebrew shelf life based on ABV, style and storage conditions.

Last updated: 2025-02-20

All calculations are estimates. Always verify values and adjust based on your equipment and ingredients.