11 replies to this topic

[matt6150]

I went and checked on my oatmeal cookie beer to see where the temps were at and had a nice surprise. Somehow during the cold crash I sucked about 1/2gal of starsan into the fermenter. Now I have done this dozens of times and this has never happened. The only difference is that I only did a 5gal batch and used a carboy instead of my normal 13gal red top fermenter. Oh and also I am using a different temp controller because my BrewPi went down (another setback) so It doesn't cool it down at a slower pace. I noticed on Sat the starsan was half frozen but nothing was sucked out at that point. Here is the setup. You can see the lighter color floating at the top that I was thinking was the starsan.

 

[HVB]

Been there. This is why I now put a solid triclamp cover on my fermenters when I crash. I think I lost 2-3 batches from starsan suck-back.

[neddles]

Oh man, that sux. Vibes. Your brewing mojo is in a bad spot right now. You need a get-right batch, stat.

[djinkc]

I would not be in a big hurry to write this batch off.  My bet is it will be fine, just not quite what you wanted.  And then again maybe it will be.  That lighter color may just be things settling before fermentation churns it up again.

 

I have messed up way to many things brewing that turned out fine to give up on a batch early.

[matt6150]

I would not be in a big hurry to write this batch off. My bet is it will be fine, just not quite what you wanted. And then again maybe it will be. That lighter color may just be things settling before fermentation churns it up again.

I have messed up way to many things brewing that turned out fine to give up on a batch early.

Fermentation is long over. I won't give up yet though. I am just going to keg it probably tomorrow and just see where it's at.

[djinkc]

Fermentation is long over. I won't give up yet though. I am just going to keg it probably tomorrow and just see where it's at.

 

In that case I think you're really fine.  Just a little diluted and the pH lowered.  

[3rd party JKor]

In that case I think you're really fine. Just a little diluted and the pH lowered.

This

[Big Nake]

Supposedly the guy who leads the tours at the Starsan facility (who goes on a tour at the Starsan facility? A conversation for another time) drinks a sample of diluted Starsan to show that it's safe to ingest. I agree that you've encountered some setbacks but by all means taste this batch and see what's up with it.

[Brauer]

Cooling down is a good time to use an "s" airlock, which will avoid aspiration of liquid.

[Steve Urquell]

Cooling down is a good time to use an "s" airlock, which will avoid aspiration of liquid.

+1. I've gone to all S-airlock use as my primaries on lagers are mild fermentations.

[HVB]

Cooling down is a good time to use an "s" airlock, which will avoid aspiration of liquid.

Or a solid bung with some low PSI CO2.

[positiveContact]

I need to get a solid stopper for this purpose.  right now I use the 3 piece airlock and a tiny bit of starsan gets pulled in and then some air I guess.  my favorite is when I freeze the starsan in the airlock