Bleach smell in bottling bucket

nefarious_1_ · 02-07-2012, 07:45 PM

I used a mild acidulated bleach solution (2tbsp each. of vinegar + bleach/5gal. water) to clean my bottling bucket after a slight infection I had a little while ago. The bucket was left to soak for 2 days in the solution and thoroughly rinsed with hot water afterwards. It still smelled like bleach, so I let it soak overnight in plain water with 1 Campden tablet dissolved into it. Afterwards, it still smelled so I did it again. Guess what? It STILL smells like bleach... It's a mild odor but, undoubtedly, a detectable chlorine smell nonetheless.

I've never soaked plastic in bleach, I've only used it for bottles and glass carboys and never had a problem with odors after thoroughly rinsing so this is new to me. It's kinda funny too because I was just talking about how I've never had a problem with bleach after a thorough rinsing. I'm about to lose all faith...

Is this normal and how do I get rid of it? Will it effect my beer? I'm planning on bottling tomorrow.

EDIT: the smell is not detectable with the lid off; only after it has been left on the bucket.

wailingguitar · 02-07-2012, 08:42 PM

I use a stronger bleach to water ratio than that and never have had a problem. I rinse the heck out of my stuff with lots hot water. After the rinse, if I am using it right away, I follow up with iodophor. I put about a gallon and a half of water in the bucket, mix in the iodophor, then use a clean paper towel, soak it in the stuff and wipe over the entire surface, inside first, then outside.

Again, never an issue with chlorine related off flavors in the beer. I am sure you'll be fine

nefarious_1_ · 02-07-2012, 09:13 PM

Well that's a little piece of mind. I really hope it's not detrimental. I've considered using a different bucket, but at the same time I'm thinking it might be fine? I'd hate to ruin the batch though...

nefarious_1_ · 02-07-2012, 10:22 PM

Other thoughts?

nefarious_1_ · 02-08-2012, 10:46 PM

Just an update:

Last night I decided I was going to use my other bottling bucket and probably get rid of the bleached one (something I was trying to avoid.) I left the bucket with the top on and forgot about it. This morning, for the heck of it, I figured I'd give one last sniff and the smell was gone! I ended up using it, fingers are crossed.