StarSan Wine

[wineview]

Oh my goodness what a blunder. I racked off five gallons of a white wine and only needed about two ounces to top off. Instead of opening a bottle of white, I thought I would use some distilled water. After all it’s a kit and there is plenty of water in it. Instead of reaching for the gallon of water, I grabbed the gallon of StarSan solution and topped off with it before realizing my mistake. My gut tells me no harm done considering the proportions, but I’d like confirmation from the chemists out there.

 

[NorCal]

No problem, I’ve done worse, like 300ml. Did blind taste test of the wine later…..which carboy did I forget to empty the starsan out of? Nobody could pick it out.

 

[winemaker81]

My first thought was to check the acidity, as Star San has a pH below 2.9. it is highly acidic, but not dangerous in dilution.

2 oz in 640 is a lot of dilution, so @NorCal's report is not a surprise.

 

[Rice_Guy]

The chemicals in star San are considered non-toxic. ,,, but this turns out to be an interesting flavor question.

 

[winemaker81]

Note on "dilution". The vinegar I buy to make weed killer is 30% acid. While it is vinegar, it's labeled "poison" because at that strength it is. The label says that if swallowed, do not induce vomiting as it will burn just as much on the way out as it did on the way in. Lab safety (learned long long ago in high school and college) says to treat all chemicals as dangerous, and it's a good idea to do that.

I'd not get undiluted Star San on my skin, as it might burn. Diluted to the strength for usage, if I get it on my skin, I rinse it off. Short term exposure doesn't appear to be harmful, but I see no point in experimenting with MY skin regarding longer term exposure.

The usage strength, diluted 2 in 640 (640 oz = 5 US gallons) should be ok. Prior to this thread I'd say it's not harmful, and David's (@Rice_Guy) comment reinforces that. Nothing I'd add to wine intentionally, but yours should be ok.

 

[wineview]

My first thought was to check the acidity, as Star San has a pH below 2.9. it is highly acidic, but not dangerous in dilution.

2 oz in 640 is a lot of dilution, so @NorCal's report is not a surprise.

I always check the ph before using StarSan. This particular gallon batch was 1.92.

 

[winemaker81]

I always check the ph before using StarSan. This particular gallon batch was 1.92.

What is the pH of the wine?

 

[wineview]

What is the pH of the wine?

3.31 before the StarSan addition. I didn’t take a reading after.

 

[winemaker81]

3.31 before the StarSan addition. I didn’t take a reading after.

2 oz in 640 should not reduce the pH too much, possibly not at all. Does it taste ok?

 

[wineview]

2 oz in 640 should not reduce the pH too much, possibly not at all. Does it taste ok?

Because I was topping up the carboy, I did not taste it. I put the airlock on and rolled it for storage.

 

[Garagista]

Oh my goodness what a blunder. I racked off five gallons of a white wine and only needed about two ounces to top off. Instead of opening a bottle of white, I thought I would use some distilled water. After all it’s a kit and there is plenty of water in it. Instead of reaching for the gallon of water, I grabbed the gallon of StarSan solution and topped off with it before realizing my mistake. My gut tells me no harm done considering the proportions, but I’d like confirmation from the chemists out there.

Yeah, that’s less than .5% starsan. I would challenge you to be able to detect it in your finished wine. I think you are OK.