Fermentation Bucket

[Eamster]

Being new to this hobby I have a question on cleaning the fermenter after bottling. I used some oxyclean to clean the bucket. I let it soak, washed and rinsed it thoroughly. I realize that plastic tends to hold smell. So I figure that the bucket will probably always smell of beer. Correct? Or should i be cleaning it better.

 

[captwalt]

It's fine, mine smells line beer and has developed a brownish yellow tint over the years. It's just the nature of plastic. Clean it when it's done and sanitize before use and it will be great

 

[HeadyKilowatt]

Mine always smells like beer (well, it's usually full of beer, but even when it's not, it smells a little like beer). You're cleaning it just fine. I just use regular unscented dish soap on mine. Just use a soft sponge so you don't scratch the plastic and give nasties places to hide.

 

[kizzeith]

You won't get rid of the smell and like everyone else, mine's tinted brownish/yellow after less than a year. I'm about ready to ditch the plastic and go all glass so I don't have to deal with cleaning plastic buckets.

My Saison sat for a month and it was a pain trying to get the crud off of the bucket. At least with glass I can use a brush.

 

[tre9er]

I use a brush on my buckets, a large brush, but I scrub gently and only to knock off the loose sediment after a 24+hr. soak in oxyclean free. Never had to "scrub" it whatsoever. Sure, it smells like beer but what do I care? That's the beauty of StarSan. It's damn good at what it does.