Stained Fermenting bucket

Wild Duk · 08-14-2008, 03:37 PM

i kept my last brew in the primary for about a month. After transfering it to the secondary, i noticed that the walls of the bucket had turned a little darker where the beer sat. i cleaned it completely with b-brite, but the stain is still there. is this going to effect any future brews or should it be o.k.to use.

anyone?

pahiker6 · 08-14-2008, 03:52 PM

I wouldn't worry about the stains. You could try soaking with water and a little bleach. If you use the bleach make sure you rinse well.

Brewmando · 08-14-2008, 04:03 PM

A strong solution of 1 tablespoon bleach per gallon cool water and soak overnight may help but fermenters do darken with use but usually don't effect future brews.

earlytimes · 08-14-2008, 04:43 PM

I had this happen. I filled it up with hot water and added a bunch of oxyclean to it and let it sit for a few days. the stain cleared up a little, but the smell went away almost completely. you'll be fine to keep using it if you clean it like this.

**rico567** · 08-20-2008, 10:52 PM

My fermenter, new last November, has had 12 5-gallon batches brewed in it, and has a light stain. It also has a hop smell. As far as I know the stain does no harm, and a hop smell is bad.....how? I wash it thoroughly after use with dishwashing detergent and dry. Before use, I sanitize with Star San. No problems to report.

Knowlse11 · 08-20-2008, 11:06 PM

I was unable to get the slight color change and hop smell from my last IPA batch. Since then, I have brewed a Nut Brown Ale and EPA and they tasted just fine. Obviously, just make sure that you clean the primary out well.

On a side note, I just picked up a 6 gallon glass carboy for $31.99 at my LHBS (Omaha, NE). I haven't used it yet, but from what i've read they are suppose to resist color and odor better than the plastic buckets. Maybe try looking into one of those?

zoebisch01 · 08-21-2008, 01:16 AM

Stains are no biggie, but what I suggest you watch for over time is the formation of beer stone. I noticed it on my fermenters even though I always give them a good cleaning. I was over worried about scratching the plastic. Now beer stone I could easily see harboring bugs.

cmharris · 05-01-2010, 01:23 AM

I've read about how better bottles are stain/odor resistant and gaining good cred throughout the brewing community. Im thinking of upgrading to BB's myself

cmharris · 05-01-2010, 01:26 AM

is scented bleach okay to soak in fermenter?

homebrewpey · 05-02-2010, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmharris

is scented bleach okay to soak in fermenter?

I wouldn't risk it. And I also wouldn't worry about a stained fermenter. I have a plastic bucket that accumulated a brown stain from a darker IPA I made and haven't had any issues with it.