Star San can be used to clean beer lines. Star San is a popular sanitizer used in the brewing industry and is known for its effectiveness in killing bacteria and other microorganisms. It is commonly used to sanitize beer brewing equipment such as fermenters, kegs, and bottles.
To clean beer lines with Star San, you can follow a similar process as you would with other cleaning solutions. Here is a step-by-step guide:
1. Prepare a solution of Star San: Mix the appropriate amount of Star San with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The recommended dilution ratio is usually around 1 ounce of Star San per 5 gallons of water.
2. Flush the beer lines with hot water: Before using Star San, it’s a good idea to flush the beer lines with hot water to remove any residual beer or debris. This can be done by attaching a clean keg filled with hot water to the beer lines and running the water through them.
3. Fill the keg with Star San solution: Once the lines are flushed, fill a keg with the prepared Star San solution. Make sure the keg is clean and sanitized before adding the solution.
4. Run the Star San solution through the lines: Attach the keg filled with Star San solution to the beer lines and run the solution through them. This can be done by pressurizing the keg and opening the beer faucet, allowing the solution to flow through the lines.
5. Let it sit: After running the Star San solution through the lines, it’s recommended to let it sit for a certain period to ensure effective sanitization. The recommended contact time can vary, but typically ranges from a few minutes to 15 minutes.
6. Rinse with clean water: Once the contact time is reached, you can rinse the lines with clean water to remove any residual Star San solution. This can be done by attaching a clean keg filled with water to the beer lines and running the water through them.
7. Hang the lines to dry: After rinsing, you can hang the beer lines to dry. This allows any remaining water to evaporate, leaving the lines clean and ready for use.
It’s important to note that Star San is a no-rinse sanitizer, which means it doesn’t require rinsing if used at the recommended dilution ratio. However, some brewers prefer to rinse the lines after sanitizing to ensure there are no residual sanitizing solution left.
Personal experience: I have used Star San to clean my beer lines multiple times and have found it to be an effective sanitizer. I have never encountered any gumminess or off flavors in my kegged beer after using Star San to clean the lines. It leaves the lines clean and ready for the next batch of beer without any noticeable taste or aroma.